Ferries · Marine Atlantic
Between Port aux Basques and North Sydney
Marine Atlantic's crossing between North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Port aux Basques. Year-round, daily service: about 178 km and 7 hours at sea, by their figures.
Bringing a car or van? Book the crossing ahead. Marine Atlantic: “During busy travel periods, space for passengers, vehicles, and cabins can sell out quickly.” Their reservations page ↗
Coming off the boat at Port aux Basques
Plan your trip from the Port aux Basques ferry →
Arriving at Port aux Basques: places to stay, your first days and every drive →
The first stretch: Wreckhouse
The first stretch of the Trans-Canada north of the terminal, between Port aux Basques and the Codroy Valley, is Wreckhouse.
- “Environment Canada includes a separate 'Wreckhouse wind warning' in its forecasts.”
- “When wind gusts in the Wreckhouse exceed 80 km/h, the message board reads: "High Wind Advisory, Wind Gusts Exceeding 80 km/h, Trucks Advised to Pull Over."”
CBC News, 2 April 2024, read 8 October 2026. Check before you drive: Environment Canada's forecast for Port aux Basques ↗ · 511nl.ca ↗
On foot
DRL Coachlines' one daily coach to St. John's leaves from the Marine Atlantic terminal, calling at Corner Brook, Deer Lake, Grand Falls-Windsor, Gander Airport and Clarenville on the way. Tickets on the bus, cash only. It reaches no island and no national park. DRL's times and fares ↗
Leaving on this boat: to the Port aux Basques ferry terminal
To Port aux Basques ferry terminal from every airport and ferry, measured by road.
The crossing's distance, time at sea and season are Marine Atlantic's own, from their sailing routes page, read 2 October 2026. We measure roads, not water.
The crossing's times, fares and whether a car fits are the operator's: check their schedule. The drive to the terminal is measured by road. Planning only: not live and not for navigation. Terms