While New Brunswick is on the mainland of North America, it is surrounded by water, which sometimes makes ferries a great shortcut for your trip or vacation, especially when heading to PEI or to Nova Scotia.
Ferry to PEI via Northumberland Ferries
Because Prince Edward Island is an Island (well, duh!)ferries have long been a key to coming and going there. The Northumberland Ferries connecting Caribou, Nova Scotia to Woods Islands, PEI are the last remaining ferry to & from the Island, though you can also take the Confederation Bridge.
Northumberland Ferries depart from Caribou, Nova Scotia and Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, on a schedule of about every hour and a half, offering a pleasant respite. The 75-minute trip, spent enjoying a chat and a snack, lounging on the deck and soaking up the sunshine and sea air, is often considered a vacation highlight. The trip is both relaxing and picturesque in fair weather. The ferries, however, are vulnerable to weather-related delays, so plan accordingly.
Wood Islands is the gateway community to scenic and lively eastern Prince Edward Island.Wood Islands is roughly 60 km from Charlottetown, which typically translates into 45-60 minute drive via the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1).
The fare for the ferry is paid only when leaving the Island. Ferries tend to be every 3 or 4 hours throughout the day. Up-to-the-minute schedule information and fare information is available by telephoning, toll-free, 1-877-359-3760. The ferry does not operate from the end of December until early May.
Year-round access to the mainland is via the Confederation Bridge which connects Borden Carleton (west of Charlottetown) to Cape Tourmantine, New Brunswick, near Moncton.
Saint John, NB to Digby, Nova Scotia via Bay Ferries
This ferry route is either a good shortcut to Nova Scotia (saving 582 driving kilometres), or a handy part of a “Great Circle Route” for a trip around the Bay of Fundy.
Digby is served directly from Saint John, New Brunswick, by the automobile ferry Princess of Acadia. The ferry will accommodate up to 650 passengers and 160 automobiles. The 64km (40 mile) crossing takes three hours.
The ferry schedule is online and fares vary for passengers, vehicle, commercial vehicles, and buses.
You can make ferry reservation online or call 1-888-249-7245. A credit card is required to book all vehicle reservations. A $25.00 Cdn charge to your credit card will result if reservations are not cancelled 3 hours before departure time. For bus reservations, call Elaine McGuigan, Bay Ferries Limited at 1-888-763-5229 or fax: 902-566-1550. Call 1-888-249-7245 to check departure times)