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Ferry travel in Massachusetts is an easy and fun adventure

Massachusetts > State > Getting Around > Ferries

Ferry travel from mainland Massachusetts to locations on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and elsewhere is a handy and inexpensive way to visit these vacation treasures. Ferries stay busy especially during the summer but many also operate in the winter. Some allow cars and trucks. Departing and arriving on a ferry is a fun excursion all by itself.

ma ferries
Fast Ferry to Provincetown - Captain John Boats - Plymouth, MA
Captain John Boats

10 Town Wharf Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-746-2643

Skip the stress of unending traffic when you take the fast ferry to Provincetown

You love the idea of visiting Provincetown, with its colorful galleries, unique shops and fabulous restaurants. But you don’t love the idea of battling traffic getting there. At Captain John Boats, they have the perfect solution: the fast ferry to Provincetown. Have breakfast in picturesque Plymouth, then board the ferry and, 90 minutes later, you’re getting off the boat at Provincetown’s MacMillan Pier. Enjoy comfy seating in the cabin with full galley service and great views of historic Plymouth Harbor and beautiful Cape Cod Bay, or revel in that ocean air from the deck. You’ll have five hours to spend in Provincetown – time for a dune tour, bike ride, visit to the Pilgrim Monument, gallery-hopping, fun shopping and dining right by the water.
The daily morning fast ferry leaves Plymouth at 10am and arrives in Provincetown at 11:30am. In the afternoon it leaves Provincetown at 4:30pm and arrives back in Plymouth at 6:00pm.
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The Steamship Authority - Woods Hole and Hyannis to Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket, MA
The Steamship Authority

Getting to the islands off Cape Cod is half the fun when you book a Steamship Authority ferry

You’ll find that traveling to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, MA is all part of the fun when you book a voyage aboard a Steamship Authority vessel. Ferries to Oak Bluffs on the Vineyard leave from Woods Hole, MA; Nantucket ferries leave from Hyannis, MA. Parking is easy, with free shuttles to the docks, and the ferries have full beverage and snack service, with comfortable seating and free wi-fi and TV. Pets, bikes and surfboards are permitted, and group fares are available. On the trip over, and on the islands themselves, beauty is everywhere. Both islands feature fabulous beaches, historic homes and picturesque harbors, biking and hiking paths. From the astonishing red clay cliffs at Aquinnah, MA on the Vineyard to Nantucket’s cobblestone streets and whaling museum, there is always something amazing to experience. For more information visit SteamshipAuthority.com.
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Aerial Boat - Island Queen - Falmouth, MA
Island Queen

75 Falmouth Heights Road Falmouth, MA, 02540 Phone: 508-548-4800

Scenic trip from Falmouth to Vineyard is comfortable, easy, with convenient parking

Comfortable, convenient, scenic: Those are the qualities that come with your ticket to board the Island Queen, the seasonal, passenger-only ferry from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs, MA on Martha’s Vineyard. The 522-passenger ferry, family owned and operated, has been plying the glistening waters of Vineyard Sound for over 60 years. Enjoy your scenic 35-minute trip from the Main Deck’s picture-window lounge, or from the Sun Deck or Mid Deck, with ever-changing views of the Cape. There’s a full-service snack bar and restrooms, and you can bring your bike, surf board, kayak or paddle board. Kids 4 and under ride free, and so do leashed or crated pets. Parking is easy: just 200 yards from the Falmouth dock. Bike, taxi and car rentals are a short walk from the Oak Bluffs dock.
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Steamship Authority - Woods Hole, MA
Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard Ferry

Steamship Authority - 1 Cowdry Road Woods Hole, MA, 02543 Phone: 508-477-8600

Year-round service from Woods Hole to the town of Oaks Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard and the town of Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard. Ferry transports motor vehicles. Trip between Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard takes 45 minutes, Advance vehicle reservations are required and can be booked online or by phone or in person at the Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard ticket offices. Offices are located in the Vineyard Haven terminal year-round and during the summer at the Oak Bluffs terminal. Passengers traveling to Martha’s Vineyard without a vehicle may purchase tickets at the terminals on the day of sailing.
New Bedford MA to Cuttyhunk Island Ferry
New Bedford to Cuttyhunk Ferry

Cuttyhunk Ferry Company - 66B State Pier, South Bulkhead New Bedford, MA, 02740 Phone: 508-992-0200

The M/V Cuttyhunk carries up to 149 passengers between New Bedford and Cuttyhunk Island in one hour. Schedule changes seasonally.
SeaStreak Ferry New Bedford MA to Martha's Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard Ferry from New Bedford, New Jersey and New York City

SeaStreak Martha’s Vineyard - 49 State Pier New Bedford, MA, 02740 Phone: 866-683-3779

Seasonal passenger ferry from New Bedford to Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard. Crossing takes about 90 minutes. Company also offers shuttle services to/from the Providence Airport and the Amtrak Station. Dockside parking and online reservations. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles. Seasonal May – October.
SeaStreak also offers summer passenger ferry service from New Jersey and New York City to Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. Call or online reservations. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles. Seasonal from May – October. For Information call 800-262-8743 or visit the website.
Boston MA - Provincetown Ferry
Boston-Provincetown Ferry

Bay State Cruise Company - 200 Seaport Blvd. Boston, MA, 02210 Phone: 617-748-1428

Daily, seasonal passenger ferry service from Boston to Provincetown. Crossing take about one and one-half hours. Season is May to October. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles.
Hy-Line Cruises Ferry - Hyannis, MA
Hyannis to Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard Ferry

Hy-Line Cruises - 220 Ocean Street Hyannis, MA, 02601 Phone: 800-492-8082

Company operates year-round and seasonal ferry service from Hyannis to Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard, and between the islands. Ferries do not transport motor vehicles. Leashed dogs are allowed. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Hy-Line operates car parking lots on Ocean Street in Nantucket and some spaces may be reserved in advance.
Salem to Boston MA Ferry
Salem to Boston Ferry

Blaney Street in Salem to Long Wharf North in Boston Salem to Boston, MA Phone:

Service between Salem Wharf at Blaney Street and Long Wharf North in Boston. The trip, which takes 55 minutes aboard the high-speed catamaran Nathaniel Bowditch is relaxing, fun and informative. Cruise directors provide narration about Salem, Marblehead, and Boston harbors. Snacks and beverages for sale. Rest rooms on board. Daily service operates from Memorial Day weekend thru the end of October.
Boston MA Harbor Islands Ferry
Ferries to Boston Harbor Islands

Departs from Long Wharf North and from Hingham Shipyard Boston and Hingham, MA Phone:

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park includes 34 islands and mainland parks. The islands in Boston Harbor are accessible by ferry from wharves in downtown Boston and Hingham. Ferries run from Boston to Georges Island, Boston to Spectacle Islands, and Hingham to Georges Island. Ferry service runs from mid-May to early October, with service limited to Fri/Sat/Sun until mid-June. Follow the link above for schedule and fare information.