Atlantic Canada Motorcycle Ferry Guide: What Riders Need to Know
Atlantic Canada has more water crossings per kilometre of road than anywhere else in Canada. If you are touring the region on a motorcycle, you will encounter ferries or bridges that require planning. Here is every crossing a rider needs to know, with costs, booking tips, and on-board advice.
Table of Contents
All Crossings at a Glance
| Crossing | Route | Duration | Season | Est. Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Atlantic | North Sydney NS to Port aux Basques NL | 6-8 hr | Year-round | $50.85 CAD one way, rider + motorcycle, no cabin |
| Marine Atlantic | North Sydney NS to Argentia NL | 14-16 hr | Jun-Sep | $121.19 CAD one way, rider + motorcycle, no cabin |
| Bay Ferries | Digby NS to Saint John NB | 2.5-3 hr | May-Oct | $63.00 CAD peak / $58.00 CAD off-peak, one way |
| Confederation Bridge | Borden-Carleton PEI to Cape Jourimain NB | 12 min | Year-round | $20.00 CAD, leaving PEI only |
| Grand Manan Ferry | Blacks Harbour NB to North Head (Grand Manan) | 1.5 hr | Year-round (reduced winter) | $26.00 CAD non-resident return, rider + motorcycle |
| STM (Quebec) | Matane QC to Baie-Comeau/Godbout QC | 2.5-3 hr | Apr-Jan | $88.10 CAD one way, rider + motorcycle |
Listed prices are for one adult rider and motorcycle as of September 23, 2026, without cabins or optional services. Fundy Rose peak dates are June 18–October 12, 2026. Grand Manan is free outbound from the mainland and charged on the return to Blacks Harbour; the table shows the non-resident return fare. PEI entry is free over the bridge or on a Northumberland Ferries standby sailing from Nova Scotia (subject to space); reserved ferry entry has a fare. Check the operator links below for changes.
Marine Atlantic: To Newfoundland
The largest and most important ferry for Atlantic Canada motorcycle touring. Marine Atlantic connects North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Newfoundland via two routes. For the full guide to riding in Newfoundland, see the Newfoundland motorcycle trip guide.
Port aux Basques route (year-round): 6 to 8 hours. This is the shorter, cheaper, and more frequent option. It puts you on the southwest corner of Newfoundland near the Trans-Canada Highway. This is the route most motorcycle tourists should use.
Argentia route (seasonal, June-September): 14 to 16 hours. This is an overnight crossing that puts you on the Avalon Peninsula, closer to St. John's. It saves a day of riding the TCH but costs more and requires a cabin booking for overnight.
Booking: Book online at marineatlantic.ca at least 2 weeks in advance for summer crossings. Motorcycle spots are limited because bikes are stored separately. Walk-on passengers cannot access the vehicle deck during the crossing.
Cost: $50.85 CAD one way to Port aux Basques for one adult and motorcycle ($21.92 passenger + $28.93 bike), or $121.19 CAD one way to Argentia ($60.40 + $60.79), without cabins. A two-bed cabin costs extra. Port aux Basques fares and Argentia fares, checked September 23, 2026.
Bay Ferries: Digby to Saint John
Bay Ferries operates a seasonal ferry between Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. This crossing saves a 400 km (249 mi) drive around the Bay of Fundy and is a popular shortcut for motorcycle tourists.
Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours. Cost: $63.00 CAD one way in the June 18–October 12, 2026 peak season ($31.50 bike + $26.50 adult + $5.00 vehicle fuel surcharge), or $58.00 CAD in the listed off-peak period ($31.50 + $21.50 + $5.00). Check the Fundy Rose fare table for sailing dates and surcharges.
This ferry is useful for riders doing a Bay of Fundy loop. Ride the New Brunswick coast, take the ferry from Saint John to Digby, then ride the Nova Scotia side. It saves a full day of highway riding.
Booking: Book at bayferries.ca. Summer crossings sell out, especially weekends. Arrive 45 minutes before departure for motorcycle loading.
Confederation Bridge: PEI
Technically a bridge, not a ferry, but it serves the same purpose: connecting PEI to the mainland. The bridge is 12.9 km (8 mi) long and takes 10 to 12 minutes to cross.
Toll: $20.00 CAD per motorcycle, charged only when leaving PEI (westbound). Entering PEI via the bridge costs nothing. Entry on the ferry from Nova Scotia is free on standby when space is available, but reservations have a fare. Official tolls and ferry fares, checked September 23, 2026.
Wind: The bridge is exposed to Fundy winds. Check the wind advisory before crossing. In extreme winds, the bridge authority restricts motorcycle crossings. For the full PEI riding route, see the one-day coastal loop guide.
"The Digby-to-Saint John ferry saves 400 km of highway and turns a Bay of Fundy loop into a one-day adventure instead of a two-day transit."
Grand Manan Ferry: NB
Coastal Transport operates a ferry from Blacks Harbour, NB to North Head on Grand Manan Island. This is a lesser-known but worthwhile detour for riders exploring the New Brunswick coast.
Duration: 1.5 hours. Cost: Free to cross from Blacks Harbour to Grand Manan, with fare collected for the return to the mainland. The operator lists $13.00 CAD for a non-resident adult plus $13.00 CAD for the motorcycle, $26.00 CAD total; for a resident adult and motorcycle it lists $6.50 + $6.50 CAD, $13.00 CAD total. Coastal Transport rates (operator page says effective April 2022; checked September 23, 2026).
Grand Manan is a small island known for whale watching, hiking, and rugged coastal scenery. It is a good 1 to 2 day detour if you are already riding the New Brunswick coast. The roads on the island are narrow and slow, so plan accordingly.
Quebec Ferries: Gaspe Route
If your Atlantic Canada tour includes the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec, the Societe des traversiers du Quebec (STQ) operates a ferry from Matane to Baie-Comeau or Godbout. This crossing saves approximately 500 km (311 mi) of driving around the St. Lawrence River.
Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours. Cost: $88.10 CAD one way for an adult rider and motorcycle ($23.60 CAD passenger + $64.50 CAD motorcycle), tax exempt at the operator’s April 1, 2026 tariff. Official STQ fares, checked September 23, 2026.
This is relevant for riders coming from Quebec City or Montreal who want to reach the Atlantic provinces via the north shore of the St. Lawrence rather than driving all the way around through Riviere-du-Loup.
General Ferry Tips for Motorcycles
Arrive early. Motorcycles are often loaded first or last, depending on the ferry. Arriving 45 to 60 minutes before departure ensures you are not left behind.
Pack a tank bag for the crossing. You will not have access to your bike during the crossing on Marine Atlantic. Carry your phone, jacket, snacks, and any medication in a tank bag you can take with you.
Put the bike in first gear. Even if the crew straps down your bike, leave it in gear as an extra safety measure. The ferry can pitch in rough seas.
Bring tie-downs. Some operators provide straps, some expect you to bring your own. Carry a pair of ratchet straps in your touring toolkit. It costs nothing and can save your bike.
Check weather before booking. Ferries can be delayed or cancelled in rough weather. If the forecast shows a storm system approaching, consider booking an earlier or later crossing.
Fuel up before boarding. On the Newfoundland ferry, you will be on the boat for 6 to 8 hours. When you arrive, the nearest gas station may be 50 km (31 mi) away. Fill up in North Sydney before boarding.
Six crossings serve Atlantic Canada motorcycle touring. Marine Atlantic to Port aux Basques ($50.85 CAD one way for rider and motorcycle, no cabin), the Fundy Rose Digby–Saint John ($63.00 CAD peak one way), Confederation Bridge ($20.00 CAD only when leaving PEI; entering on the bridge is free), Grand Manan ($26.00 CAD non-resident rider and motorcycle, charged on return to mainland), and the Quebec ferries for the Gaspe route. Book early in summer. Carry tie-downs. Fill up before boarding.
On the Vehicle Deck: What to Expect
Expect painted steel, ramps, moisture, tight turns, and other vehicles. The vehicle deck of a ferry is not a parking lot. It is a steel surface with painted lines, wet patches from previous vehicles, and tight spacing. Use smooth inputs and create space rather than reacting to pressure from the crew behind you.
Know who secures the motorcycle and where the approved attachment points are. Do not assume every crew or vessel uses the same procedure. On Marine Atlantic, the crew straps the bike. On Bay Ferries, you may need to secure it yourself. Ask before loading.
Remove everything needed during the crossing before leaving the vehicle deck. Access to the vehicle deck may be restricted during the sailing. Take your phone, jacket, medication, snacks, and warm layers with you in a tank bag before you walk off.
Keep valuables and essentials in one easy bag. Valuables, medication, charging gear, warm layers, and seasickness supplies should be in a single small bag you can carry to the passenger lounge. Digging through saddlebags on a moving ferry is not practical.