Our Ferry Crossings

Maine’s coast is best understood from the water. Long peninsulas, island communities, and working harbors make ferry travel not just convenient, but essential. At Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines, our ferries connect some of Downeast Maine’s most distinctive destinations, offering travelers a scenic, stress-free way to experience the coast as it was meant to be seen.

From island crossings near Bar Harbor to the far eastern edge of the United States, our ferry routes serve both residents and visitors looking for reliable transportation with unforgettable views.

The Cranberry Islands (via Bar Harbor)

Just off the coast of Mount Desert Island, the Cranberry Islands – including Great Cranberry Island and Little Cranberry (Iseford) feel close to Bar Harbor, and a world away at the same time. For generations the only practical way to reach Great Cranberry Island and Little Cranberry Island, commonly known as Islesford, has been by boat. That hasn’t changed and the journey itself is part of the experience.

Our ferry service provides reliable transportation across Frenchman Bay, serving island residents, seasonal visitors, and day-trippers alike. The crossing offers open-water views of Acadia, working lobster boats and the steady rhythm of the tide. No traffic, no rushing, no shortcuts.

Along the way, you’ll pass working lobster boats, open stretches of Frenchman Bay, and sweeping views of Acadia National Park.

Popular reasons to visit the Cranberry Islands:

• Quiet island villages and historic charm
• Hiking, biking and shoreline exploration
• A slower pace that still feels very much alive
• Art Galleries, museums and seasonal community events
  • Islesford Historical Museum(Little Cranberry Island)
  • Islesford Artists Gallery(Little Cranberry Island)
  • Great Cranberry Island Historical Society & Museum(Cranberry House)
  • Ashley Bryan Center(Little Cranberry Island)

Our ferries provide dependable service for day-trippers, island residents and visitors staying longer. We make island travel simple and scenic.  Reserve your Cranberry Islands ferry trip today and travel like a local – by sea!

Winter Harbor & Schoodic Point

If you ask the locals where to find the quieter slice of Acadia National Park, they’ll point you toward Winter Harbor and Schoodic Point. This section of the park is known for dramatic granite shorelines, crashing surf, and room to breathe.

Arriving by ferry avoids the long drive around the peninsula and offers something better: a direct coastal approach that reminds you why this park exists in the first place.

Schoodic Point is especially popular for:

• Travelers seeking a peaceful off-the-beaten-path experience
• Oceanfront hiking and cycling
• Photography and wildlife watching

Schoodic Point offers some of the most striking ocean views in the state, and ferry travel turns the trip into a seamless extension of the experience. We coordinate with the Island Explorer Free Shuttle which picks up and delivers ferry passengers to Schoodic Point or to the quaint village of Winter Harbor. Bike rentals are within walking distance if you prefer a solo mode of transportation.

From Quiet Winter Harbor to Bustling Bar Harbor ~ A Ferry Ride Between the Two Sides of Acadia

Winter Harbor and Bar Harbor sit just across the water from one another, but they might as well be different worlds. Winter Harbor is known for its quiet roads, quaint village life and the bold granite coastline of Schoodic Point. Bar Harbor, on the other hand, is lively, walkable and full of shops, restaurants, galleries, and harbor activity. The beauty is that you don’t have to choose one or the other.

Our Winter Harbor to Bar Habor ferry connects the two by water, offering a simple, scenic and relaxing way to experience both sides of Acadia National Park without the long drive around the peninsula.

Why take the ferry from Winter Harbor to Bar Harbor?

For visitors staying on the quiet side, the ferry turns a day trip into something easy and enjoyable. Instead of navigating traffic and searching for parking, you step aboard, cross the sea and arrive right in the heart of Bar Harbor!

The ferry is idea for:

• Day trips to Bar Harbor.
• Dining, shopping and exploring the town
• Accessing Acadia National Park on MDI
• Visitors who prefer to leave the car behind

It’s transportation that feels like part of the vacation, not a chore in the middle of it.

What Awaits You in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor offers a completely different pace from Winter Harbor, and that contrast is part of the appeal. Once you arrive you are within walking distance of local gift shops, bookstores, galleries, bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream and a variety of restaurants. The Shore Path is popular for walking enthusiasts.

Bar Harbor is also a hub for Acadia National Park, with access to carriage roads, coastal walks and scenic overlooks – all easily combined with a ferry trip and the free Island Explorer shuttle buses. Spend the day exploring and then return to the quiet of Winter Harbor by water.

A Crossing That’s Worth the Time

The ferry ride itself is forty-five minutes long, scenic and relaxing. You’ll travel across open water with views of islands, working lobster boats and wildlife sightings. Keep a lookout for bald eagles, porpoises, seals, sunfish and the occasional whale. For many guests, the crossing becomes a highlight!

• No traffic, no parking stress
• Fresh air and open views
• A true coastal connection between communities

Stay Quiet, Visit Lively, Travel by Sea

Winter Harbor is where you sleep well, walk slowly, and listen to the ocean.  Bar Harbor is where you wander, shop, dine and soak in the energy of a busy harbor town. With ferry service between the two, you don’t have to compromise. Book your Winter Harbor to Bar Harbor ferry trip and enjoy the best of both sides of Acadia. Quiet mornings, lively afternoons and a scenic ride in between.

From Bar Harbor to Quiet Side Winter Harbor ~ A Ferry Ride to Acadia’s Wilder Side

Bar Harbor is full of energy – busy sidewalks, packed restaurants and a harbor that never really slows down. It’s part of what makes it special. But sometimes, even on vacation, it’s nice to trade the bustle for something quieter.

That’s where Winter Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula come in.

Our Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor Ferry offers a simple, scenic way to leave the crowds behind and experience a different side of Acadia National Park – one defined by open space, working coastline and the sound of the ocean instead of traffic.

Why Take the Ferry from Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor?

Driving to the Schoodic Peninsula means a long road trip from the island to the mainland. Taking the ferry means stepping aboard in Bar Harbor and arriving in Winter Harbor, relaxed and ready to explore. The ferry is a great choice for:

• Visitors looking to escape peak season crowds
• Acadia hikers, cyclists, and photographers
• Travelers without a car
• Anyone who prefers the water to the road

Discover the Quiet Side of Acadia

Schoodic Point is known for its dramatic granite shoreline, powerful surf, and wide-open views of the Atlantic. Unlike Mount Desert Island, there’s room to spread out here and room to hear the waves, feel the wind and take your time.

Highlights include:

• Oceanfront trails and scenic viewpoints
• Fewer crowds and more breathing room
• Some of the most striking coastal scenery in Acadia
• Winter Harbor itself is small, welcoming and deeply connected to the sea – a place where the day still follows the tides.

The Ferry Ride is Part of the Experience

The crossing between Bar Harbor and Winter Harbor isn’t just transportation, it’s a chance to see the coastline the way it was meant to be seen. Bar Harbor gives you shops, restaurants, and energy. Winter Harbor gives you space, scenery, and a slower rhythm. With ferry service between the two, you don’t have to choose. Start your day in town, cross the bay and spend the afternoon on the quiet side of Acadia or make it a full-day escape from the crowds.

Two Sides of Acadia, One Easy Crossing

Acadia National Park has two very different personalities – and water is what connects them. On one side of Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor hums with activity; restaurants, shops, harbor traffic and visitors from around the world. Across the water Winter Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula offer something quieter: open coastline, fewer crowds, and room to slow down.

Whether you’re staying on the quiet side or visiting from town, our Bar Harbor-Winter Harbor ferry makes it easy to experience both sides of Acadia in a single day. No long drive, no parking puzzles. Just a direct, scenic crossing – exactly how this coast has always been traveled.

One Crossing. Two Experiences. Zero Compromise. Book Today!