Cumberland Island Ferry: Schedule, Last Boat Back and Ticket Prices
The ferry from St. Marys to Cumberland Island on your day: the boats both ways, the last one back, check-in, your hours on the island and the round trip’s cost, from the park concession’s own schedule.
Ferry on Friday, October 9: 9 a.m. or 11:45 a.m. from St. Marys; the last boat back 4:45 p.m.Check in at the visitor center by 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. boat (an hour before). On the island from 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — 6 h 45 min — at the dock 15 minutes before the 4:45 p.m. boat.
Ferry $88 (round trip for 2 adults) + park entrance $30 (2 aged 16 and over at $15) = $118.
Who is going
The boats on Friday, October 9 (Fall schedule)
- St. Marys → islandleaves 9 a.m., arrives 9:45 a.m. · check in by 8 a.m. · 6 h 45 min on the island
- St. Marys → islandleaves 11:45 a.m., arrives 12:30 p.m. · check in by 10:45 a.m. · 4 h on the island
- Island → St. Marysleaves 10:15 a.m., arrives 11 a.m. · the campers’ boat, from Sea Camp only
- Last boat backleaves 4:45 p.m., arrives 5:30 p.m.
Before you go, in the ferry’s and the park’s words
- “Arrive 60 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure time. The ferry departs promptly at 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Missed ferry departures will not be refunded.”
- “Please be aware that there is NOTHING to purchase once you get to the island.”
- “You need to bring water, food, sunscreen, walking shoes, rain gear, a hat, and sunglasses.”
- “There are no amenities on the island beyond the restrooms and water fountains. You should bring lunch and water bottles to refill. There are no trash cans on the island.”
- “On the island, the ferry will drop off at both the Dungeness and Sea Camp docks. Visitors wishing to have easy access to the Dungeness Ruins should get off at the first stop.”
- “Please be at the dock 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. The 10:15 am ferry only leaves from Sea Camp.”
- “No cars, kayaks, or pets (including therapy and emotional support animals) are allowed on the ferry.”
- “Passengers must purchase departure and return trip during checkout. One way ticket purchases are subject to cancellation”
- “All visitors to Cumberland Island should park in the lot one block west of the Mainland Visitor Center.”
- “If you simply put in Cumberland Island National Seashore, your GPS unit will likely take you to Crooked River State Park as this is the closest boat ramp to the Seashore.”
- “Special pricing is available to residents of Camden County, GA from December 1st to February 28th. Active Military and Veteran special pricing is also available for the entire month of November.”
- The visitor center and the ferry dock: 113 St. Marys Street St Marys, GA 31558.
- The ferry’s schedule and fares
- The park’s entrance fees
Times and fares: Cumberland Island Ferry, the National Park Service’s concession (read 2026-10-09). Entrance fee, docks and the island: the National Park Service. Sailings are at the captain’s discretion: “Rarely are sailings cancelled for reasons other than mechanical problems with the vessel, severe weather and/or heavy seas.”
The Cumberland Island ferry leaves St. Marys, Georgia, at 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., and the last boat back leaves the island at 4:45 p.m. It sails every day from March to November and Thursday to Monday in winter. A round trip is $44 an adult, plus the park’s $15 entrance fee.
How to use it
Pick the day you go and say who is coming: adults, seniors, children, the little ones who ride free, and any bikes you bring. The planner says whether the ferry sails that day, lists its boats both ways with their arrival times, the time to check in, how long you get on the island from each boat, and what the round trip costs with the park’s entrance fee. Tick the box if someone in your group holds an America the Beautiful pass.
The schedule, season by season
Cumberland Island has no bridge: “Cumberland Island is located seven miles east of St. Marys and is accessible only by boat.” The concession’s three seasons:
| Season | Days | Leave St. Marys | Leave the island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring/Summer, March 1 – September 30 | Every day | 9 a.m., 11:45 a.m. | 10:15 a.m., 2:45 p.m. (Mon–Sat), 4:45 p.m. |
| Fall, October 1 – November 30 | Every day | 9 a.m., 11:45 a.m. | 10:15 a.m., 4:45 p.m. |
| Winter, December 1 – February 28 | Thursday to Monday (no ferry Tuesday or Wednesday) | 9 a.m., 11:45 a.m. | 10:15 a.m., 4:45 p.m. |
Each crossing takes 45 minutes. The 10:15 a.m. boat back is the campers’ ferry: “The 10:15 am ferry only leaves from Sea Camp.” The afternoon boats call at both docks.
What it costs
| Round trip | Fare |
|---|---|
| Adult (16–61) | $44 |
| Senior (62 and Older) | $42 |
| Child (15 and Under) | $34 |
| Ages 5 and Under | Free |
| Your own bike | $10 |
| Park entrance, 16 and over | $15 a person |
The entrance fee is the park’s, not the ferry’s: “This fee is waived for America the Beautiful pass holder plus three adults.” and “A 7-day entrance pass is $15 per person. We have a $45 annual pass that covers 4 adults. Cumberland Island NS is a cashless operation.” The ferry adds: “Special pricing is available to residents of Camden County, GA from December 1st to February 28th. Active Military and Veteran special pricing is also available for the entire month of November.”
Worked examples
Two adults on a Saturday in October. Ferry on Saturday, October 10: 9 a.m. or 11:45 a.m. from St. Marys; the last boat back 4:45 p.m., and the round trip: ferry $88 (round trip for 2 adults) + park entrance $30 (2 aged 16 and over at $15) = $118.
A family of four with two bikes on a June Saturday. Two adults, a child of 10 and a toddler: Ferry $122 (round trip for 2 adults, 1 child and 1 aged 5 or under) + bikes $20 + park entrance $30 (2 aged 16 and over at $15) = $172. The 2:45 p.m. boat back runs that day, Monday to Saturday in spring and summer.
A Tuesday in December. No ferry to Cumberland Island on Tuesday, December 8: the winter ferry sails Thursday to Monday.
Common mistakes
- Arriving at departure time. “Arrive 60 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure time. The ferry departs promptly at 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Missed ferry departures will not be refunded.”
- Counting on a shop. “Please be aware that there is NOTHING to purchase once you get to the island.” Bring lunch and water: “There are no amenities on the island beyond the restrooms and water fountains. You should bring lunch and water bottles to refill. There are no trash cans on the island.”
- Typing the park into your GPS. “If you simply put in Cumberland Island National Seashore, your GPS unit will likely take you to Crooked River State Park as this is the closest boat ramp to the Seashore.” Use the visitor center’s address instead.
- Bringing the dog. “No cars, kayaks, or pets (including therapy and emotional support animals) are allowed on the ferry.”
- Buying one way. “Passengers must purchase departure and return trip during checkout. One way ticket purchases are subject to cancellation”
Plan the trip
Read the places most travelers miss in Georgia and how to have fun in Georgia. Up the coast, plan a low tide with Shark Tooth Beach & Jekyll Island Tides; for a year of national parks, the National Park Pass Calculator says whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off; and the other island ferries are in the St. Thomas–St. John and Vieques and Culebra planners.
FAQ
What time does the Cumberland Island ferry leave?
From St. Marys at 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. every sailing day, arriving 45 minutes later. Back from the island at 10:15 a.m. (campers, from Sea Camp), 2:45 p.m. (Monday to Saturday, March to September) and 4:45 p.m.
How much are Cumberland Island ferry tickets?
Round trip: $44 an adult (16–61), $42 a senior (62 and over), $34 a child (15 and under), free for 5 and under, $10 for your own bike — and the park’s $15 entrance fee for everyone 16 and over.
Does the Cumberland Island ferry run every day?
From March 1 to November 30, yes. From December 1 to February 28 it sails Thursday to Monday — no ferry on Tuesday or Wednesday.
When is the last ferry back from Cumberland Island?
4:45 p.m., from both the Sea Camp and Dungeness docks. The park asks you to be at the dock 15 minutes before.
How long is the ferry ride to Cumberland Island?
45 minutes each way, from the dock beside the park’s visitor center at 113 St. Marys Street in St. Marys.
Do you need a reservation for the Cumberland Island ferry?
The park recommends one; reservations open up to 6 months ahead. “All unclaimed reservations will be cancelled 15 minutes prior to departure and those spots will be offered to walk-in visitors”