Cape Cod Day Trips

Ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard

Cape Cod Ferry Service

If you are on Cape Cod, you should consider taking advantage of the convenient and fast ferry services available from the Cape to the islands to enjoy the beaches, shopping options, dining experiences, and general scenery of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Ferry services from the mainland to the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are regulated by the US Coast Guard and the Steamship Authority. The ferries are safe and comfortable with most of them providing travelers with non-alcoholic beverages, on-board TV, and free Wi-Fi.

Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard (Vineyard Haven & Oak Bluffs) leave the Cape from these three ports:

Hyannis, MA
Falmouth Harbor / Woods Hole, Falmouth, MA
New Bedford, MA

Ferries to Nantucket leave the Cape from the terminal at Hyannis, Massachusetts.

The following are the main ferry services you should consider booking with:

*** 2023 Pricing and schedules mentioned are for informational purposes only. Please see websites for current schedules and pricing *****

1. The Steamship Authority Ferry Service

The Steamship Authority is the largest year-round ferry service provider to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. They are the only ferry operator that transports automobiles to and from the islands. Their fleet consists of the following vessels:

M/V Eagle: carries up to 768 persons and accommodates up to 52 vehicles.
M/V Nantucket: carries up to 768 persons and accommodates up to 50 vehicles.
M/V Island Home: carries up to 1210 persons (625 seating) and accommodates up to 76 vehicles.
M/V Gay: carries up to 147 persons and accommodates up to 39 vehicles.
M/V Governor: carries up to 256 persons and accommodates up to 42 vehicles.
M/V Katana: carries up to 150 persons and accommodates up to 39 vehicles.
M/V Martha’s Vineyard: carries up to 1274 persons and accommodates up to 54 vehicles.
M/V Sankaty: carries up to 300 persons and accommodates up to 39 vehicles.
M/V Iyanough: carries up to 400 persons.
M/V Woods Hole: carries up to 453 persons.

Steamship Authority ferries to Martha’s Vineyard leave from Woods Hole, Falmouth, MA. The 7-mile journey to Vineyard Haven or to Oak Bluffs (available from May to October) takes just 45 minutes. Their ferries to Nantucket leave from Hyannis, MA and make the journey in about 2 hours. However, MV Iyanough, a passenger-only fast ferry makes the 26-mile Hyannis to Nantucket journey in just 45 minutes. MV Iyanough is available from mid-April to December.

You can purchase tickets for the passenger ferries at the terminal on the day of the sailing. You do not need to make a reservation if you are traveling without a vehicle. You will need to make an advance vehicle reservation if you are transporting an automobile. Bicycles and motorcycles do not need reservations. If more people show up than a ferry can accommodate, the Steamship Authority usually gives priority to those passengers traveling with vehicles with reservations. If you wish to make a passenger reservation for the passenger-only ferry, you are free to do so.

Schedule: Up to date Steamship authority schedule information is available here.

Parking: Off-site (free shuttle) and on-site parking spaces are available at both the Hyannis terminal and the Woods Hole terminal. Parking spaces at the Vineyard Haven terminal are available only to people with medical emergencies. There are no parking spaces at the Oaks Bluffs terminal.

Directions: Cowdry Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543 (to MV)

Pets: Pets are allowed on the boats. They must be in a container or be on a leash.

2. The Island Queen (Falmouth Harbor to Martha’s Vineyard)

The Island Queen sails from Falmouth Harbor to Martha’s Vineyard from the end of May to mid-October. The ferry makes the journey in only 35 minutes. It is a passenger-only ferry that does not transport vehicles. However, you can carry your bike, surfboard, paddleboard, or kayak.

You can purchase tickets before or on the day of departure at the Falmouth Dock Ticket Window. Reservations are not required. Fares are reasonable with adults paying $27 for a round trip or $19 for a one-way ticket. Children aged 5 to 12 pay $16 for a round trip and $12 for a one-way ticket. Children aged 4 and under travel for free.

Schedule: Up to date schedule information for the Island Queen is available here.

Parking: There are two parking lots available just 200 yards from the dock. General parking costs $20(cash) per calendar day.

Directions: 75 Falmouth Heights Road, Falmouth, MA 02540

3. Hy-Line Cruises (Hyannis to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard)

Hy-Line Cruises is the second largest ferry service after Steamship Authority sailing from the Cape to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. They also offer sightseeing services. They offer a seasonal catamaran ferry service (May to October) between Hyannis and Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard and a year-round service between Hyannis and Nantucket.

Hy-Line Cruises has a total of eight vessels in its fleet. They do not transport vehicles. For the 2023 season, a round trip fare to Martha’s Vineyard for adults costs $70 and $43 for kids aged 5 to 12. Kids aged 4 and under travel for free. They make the journey to Martha’s Vineyard in one hour while the crossing to Nantucket is 30 minutes.

You can buy a ticket at the terminal but it is encouraged that you make a reservation to be guaranteed a spot. You can make the reservation online or by phone (Nantucket: (800) 492-8082 and Martha’s Vineyard: (800) 492-8082). Reserved tickets should be picked at the ticket office no later than half an hour before departure.

Schedule: Up to date schedule information for Hy-Line Cruises is available here.

Parking: There are parking lots near the pier with parking charges ranging from $10 to $28 per calendar day depending on the time of year. There are off-site parking lots available within walking distance of the terminal that charge around $15-20 per day.

Directions: 220 Ocean St, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Pets: Pets are allowed on the boats provided they are properly caged or leashed.

4. Freedom Cruise Line (Harwich Port to Nantucket)

Freedom Cruise Line offers a ferry service from Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port to Nantucket. The daily passenger service does not ferry vehicles but items such as surfboards and bicycles are allowed.

The round trip/one-way ticket rates are as follows: adults - $96/$62; children aged 12 and under - $60/40; and infants aged 2 and under - $20/$12. You can make a reservation online or get a ticket from the ticket office at Saquatucket Harbor.

Schedule: Up to date schedule information for Freedom Cruise Line can be downloaded from the official site.

Parking: Parking space is available for $30 per night. If you are making a day trip, parking is available for free.

Directions: 731 Route 28, Saquatucket Harbor, Harwich Port, Massachusetts 02646

Pets: Pets are permitted. They must be on a leash and are not allowed in the main salon.

5. Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry (to Martha’s Vineyard)

This is a 72-feet luxury passenger-only ferry service that sails daily (Memorial Day to Labor Day) to Edgartown Harbor from Falmouth. They make the journey in one hour. There are four sailings every day during the summer.

You can get your tickets at the ticketing office in Falmouth or make a reservation online. The one-way rates are reasonable with adults (13+) paying $50 and children (age 6 – 12) paying $31. Young children (ages 5 and under) travel for free.

Schedule: Up to date schedule information for the ferry service is available here (PDF download)

Parking: There are off-site and on-site parking lots available. Daily Parking fees apply. Valet parking is available on-site at 278 Scranton Ave in Falmouth.

Directions: 278 Scranton Avenue, Falmouth MA, 02540.

Pets: Pets are permitted on the ferry provided they are properly leashed.

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