Swan's Island and Frenchboro ferry schedule and guide
The Maine State Ferry Service (MSFS) runs the Bass Harbor–Swan's Island ferry and the Bass Harbor–Frenchboro ferry, car and passenger ferries from Bass Harbor to the islands of Swan's Island and Frenchboro, Maine. The 6-mile Swan's Island crossing takes about 40 minutes, and the 8.25-mile Frenchboro crossing takes about 50 minutes. One boat, the M/V Captain Henry Lee, serves both islands, so their schedules fit around each other.
Schedule up to date as of October 26, 2026
Contents
Swan's Island and Frenchboro ferry schedule Summer 2026
The Summer 2026 schedule runs from April 14, 2026 to October 31, 2026.
Departures from Bass Harbor, Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Swan's Island |
| 9:00 AM | Swan's Island |
| 11:00 AM | Swan's Island |
| 2:15 PM | Swan's Island |
| 3:45 PM | Swan's Island |
| 5:15 PM | Swan's Island |
Departures from Bass Harbor, Second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Swan's Island |
| 9:00 AM | Frenchboro |
| 11:00 AM | Swan's Island |
| 2:15 PM | Swan's Island |
| 3:45 PM | Swan's Island |
| 5:15 PM | Swan's Island |
Departures from Bass Harbor, Thursdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Swan's Island |
| 9:00 AM | Swan's Island |
| 11:00 AM | Swan's Island |
| 2:00 PM | Frenchboro |
| 4:00 PM | Swan's Island |
| 5:30 PM | Swan's Island |
Departures from Bass Harbor, Fridays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Swan's Island |
| 8:15 AM1 | Frenchboro |
| 9:00 AM | Swan's Island |
| 11:00 AM | Swan's Island |
| 2:15 PM | Swan's Island |
| 3:45 PM | Swan's Island |
| 5:15 PM | Swan's Island |
| 5:15 PM1 | Frenchboro |
- Passenger-only boat
Departures from Bass Harbor, Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:15 AM | Swan's Island |
| 9:45 AM | Swan's Island |
| 11:15 AM | Swan's Island |
| 1:45 PM | Frenchboro |
| 3:45 PM | Swan's Island |
| 5:15 PM | Swan's Island |
Departures from Swan's Island, Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 6:45 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 8:15 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 9:45 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 1:30 PM | Bass Harbor |
| 3:00 PM | Bass Harbor |
| 4:30 PM | Bass Harbor |
Departures from Swan's Island, Second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 6:45 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 8:15 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 1:30 PM | Bass Harbor |
| 3:00 PM | Bass Harbor |
| 4:30 PM | Bass Harbor |
Departures from Swan's Island, Thursdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 6:45 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 8:15 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 9:45 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 1:15 PM | Bass Harbor |
| 4:45 PM | Bass Harbor |
Departures from Swan's Island, Fridays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 6:45 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 8:15 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 9:45 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 1:30 PM | Bass Harbor |
| 3:00 PM | Bass Harbor |
| 4:30 PM | Bass Harbor |
Departures from Swan's Island, Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 9:00 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 10:30 AM | Bass Harbor |
| 1:00 PM | Bass Harbor |
| 4:30 PM | Bass Harbor |
Departures from Frenchboro, Second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | Bass Harbor |
Departures from Frenchboro, Thursdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 3:00 PM | Bass Harbor |
Departures from Frenchboro, Fridays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM1 | Bass Harbor |
| 6:00 PM1 | Bass Harbor |
- Passenger-only boat
Departures from Frenchboro, Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 2:45 PM | Bass Harbor |
The Swan's Island schedule changes by day of the week. On the first and third Wednesdays of each month the boat makes an extra Frenchboro trip, so those Wednesdays have their own Swan's Island schedule. On the third Tuesday of each month, one round trip to Swan's Island carries fuel only, with no passengers.
Frenchboro has fewer sailings than Swan's Island, and none on some days of the week. A passenger-only boat adds Friday sailings to Frenchboro for part of the year. MSFS runs a short holiday schedule to Swan's Island on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and to Frenchboro on Thanksgiving but not Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
Swan's Island and Frenchboro ferry fares
| Fare type | Off-peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger | ||
| Adult 18 and older | $15.75 | $23.00 |
| Minor 6 to 17 | $8.00 | $15.00 |
| Child 5 and under | Free | Free |
| Vehicle | ||
| Vehicle and driver | $41.50 | $55.00 |
| Motorcycle and rider | $32.00 | $42.50 |
| Vehicle reservation | $17.00 | $17.00 |
| Bicycle | ||
| Adult with bicycle | $22.75 | $29.75 |
| Minor with bicycle | $14.75 | $21.75 |
- Every ticket is round trip, and MSFS sells no one-way tickets. A vehicle or motorcycle ticket covers its driver, and a bicycle ticket covers its rider. Vehicles over 20 feet pay an extra charge per foot. Off-peak fares apply from October 1 to May 31, and peak fares from June 1 to September 30.
The same fares apply to Swan's Island and to Frenchboro. MSFS sells round-trip tickets only, at its terminals and in its webstore, and offers no senior, military or AAA discounts. Either half of a Swan's Island or Frenchboro ticket works in either direction, and tickets do not expire.
Swan's Island and Frenchboro ferry details
| Operator | Maine State Ferry Service, part of the Maine Department of Transportation |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 40 minutes to Swan's Island and about 50 minutes to Frenchboro |
| Distance | 6 miles to Swan's Island and 8.25 miles to Frenchboro |
| Vessel | M/V Captain Henry Lee, which carries about 16 to 17 passenger vehicles |
| Vehicles | Carried, with a reservation or in the first-come line. MSFS sells four vehicle and two truck reservations on each scheduled trip. |
| Reservations | From one month ahead until two hours before departure, in person at Bass Harbor or by phone. |
| Payment | Credit or debit card in the MSFS webstore, or at a terminal ticket office. |
| Pets | Leashed pets ride in a marked pet-friendly cabin. |
| Food on board | None sold. Riders may bring food and nonalcoholic drinks. |
Bass Harbor ferry terminal parking and directions
The Swan's Island and Frenchboro ferries leave from the Bass Harbor ferry terminal at 45 Granville Road in Bass Harbor. The spaces beside the terminal, on the hill and in the lot across the road are paid parking in summer and free the rest of the year. A parking pass does not hold a space.
Vehicles line up along the guardrail and back along the street, where signs mark the line. The first four spaces are for reserved vehicles, and trucks and long vehicles with reservations line up to their left. Bass Harbor has no line-number system, and in the height of summer every reservation can sell out early in the morning.
Swan's Island ferry terminal
The Swan's Island ferry terminal is at 118 Ferry Road, Swan's Island, ME 04685. Drivers leaving Swan's Island without a reservation call the Swan's Island terminal the day before for lining-up instructions.
Frenchboro ferry landing and Thursday reservations
The Frenchboro ferry sails from Bass Harbor and lands at Frenchboro. For the Thursday Frenchboro run on the winter schedule, riders make a free soft reservation with the Bass Harbor terminal, in person or by phone, by the afternoon before. The run takes place only when at least one rider has reserved it, either way.
Swan's Island and Frenchboro ferry FAQs
Where does the Swan's Island ferry leave from?
The Swan's Island ferry leaves from the Bass Harbor ferry terminal at 45 Granville Road in Bass Harbor.
How long is the ferry ride to Swan's Island?
The Swan's Island ferry ride from Bass Harbor takes about 40 minutes and covers 6 miles.
How long is the ferry ride to Frenchboro?
The Frenchboro ferry ride from Bass Harbor takes about 50 minutes and covers 8.25 miles.
Does the Swan's Island ferry need a car reservation?
The Swan's Island ferry carries cars with a reservation or from the first-come line. MSFS sells four vehicle reservations and two truck reservations on each scheduled trip.
Can riders go from Swan's Island to Frenchboro?
MSFS runs no service between Swan's Island and Frenchboro. Both islands' ferries sail to and from Bass Harbor.