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 | $200-400 |
| Marine Atlantic | North Sydney NS to Argentia NL | 14-16 hr | Jun-Sep | $300-500 |
| Bay Ferries | Digby NS to Saint John NB | 2.5-3 hr | May-Oct | $80-120 |
| Confederation Bridge | Borden-Carleton PEI to Cape Jourimain NB | 12 min | Year-round | $50.25 (exit only) |
| Grand Manan Ferry | Blacks Harbour NB to North Head (Grand Manan) | 1.5 hr | Year-round (reduced winter) | $30-45 |
| STM (Quebec) | Matane QC to Baie-Comeau/Godbout QC | 2.5-3 hr | Apr-Jan | $40-70 |
Prices are approximate for a motorcycle plus rider. Check each operator's website for current rates, as they change seasonally and vary by booking time.
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: Approximately $200 to $400 CAD for motorcycle plus driver on Port aux Basques. Argentia costs more, especially if you book a cabin. Rates include passenger fare and vehicle fare.
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. Season: May to October (reduced schedule in shoulder months). Cost: Approximately $80 to $120 CAD for motorcycle plus rider.
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: Charged only when leaving PEI (westbound). Motorcycle toll is approximately $50.25 CAD as of 2026. No toll entering PEI.
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. Season: Year-round (reduced schedule in winter). Cost: Approximately $30 to $45 CAD for motorcycle plus rider.
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. Season: April to January. Cost: Approximately $40 to $70 CAD for motorcycle plus rider.
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 Newfoundland ($200-400 CAD), Bay Ferries Digby-Saint John ($80-120 CAD), Confederation Bridge to PEI ($50.25 CAD exit only), Grand Manan ferry ($30-45 CAD), 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.