CLICK HERE for Ferry Schedules and Rates for the 2018 Season
FAQs: Updated 2018 Schedule and Rates for Ferry Service to Boston Harbor Islands
What are the changes I can expect with Harbor Islands ferry service this season?
The 2018 ferry season will begin with free ferry service to both Spectacle and Georges Islands on Saturday, May 19th. Free Ferry Day will be followed by ferry service to the Islands on Sunday, May 20th.
Georges Island
Daily service to Georges Island will begin Saturday, May 26, 2018 and continue through October 8, 2018.
Spectacle Island
Offseason weekend service to Spectacle Island will commence (Spring May 26 – June 21) and (Fall September 4 – October 8). Daily service to Spectacle Island will begin on June 22, 2018 and run through September 3, 2018. Larger groups can book offseason weekday tours to Spectacle Island by contacting Boston Harbor Cruises at 617-227-4321.
During the summer season (June 22 – September 3), service to Georges and Spectacle Islands will be similar to last year, and the MBTA boat schedule connecting Hingham to Georges Island will remain unchanged.
There is a slightly modified schedule for travelling between the Islands in the summer season. Peddocks and Lovells Islands can be accessed seven days a week via Georges and Spectacle Islands with additional service on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays departing from the Island Gateway as Hewitt’s Cove in Hingham. For campers and other visitors, Grape and Bumpkin Islands will be served directly from Hewitt’s Cove and accessible on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visitors to these Islands can take the ferry from Boston to connect to boats in Hingham or take advantage of overnight parking at the MBTA lot in Hingham.
Will these changes impact programming or camping on the Harbor Islands?
Boston Harbor Now in partnership with DCR and the National Park Service will continue to offer more than 400 free programs on the Islands during the 2018 season.
Camping will be available seven nights a week from June 22 through September 3 on Peddocks and Lovells Islands. Camping will be available on Grape and Bumpkin Islands on Friday and Saturday nights in the same time period.
What are the rates for round trip ferry tickets to the Harbor Islands?
- Adult – $19.95
- Child – $12.95
- Seniors – $14.95
- Student/Military – $14.95
- Child under 3 – FREE
Are there any discount options available?
For information on discounted group tickets visit Boston Harbor Cruises by clicking here.
Passengers may ride for free on the two free ferry days each summer: on opening day (May 19) and on Free Fun Friday sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation (August 10).
Massachusetts residents can access Boston Harbor Islands’ Library Pass Program at participating local public libraries, which allows people to buy-one-get-one-free ferry tickets to the Islands. Some libraries will also feature our new Trailheads program that will highlight the resources of the Park.
The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership provides free access to the park for underserved populations through the Island Pass program. This program is sponsored in collaboration with Boston Harbor Now, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the National Park Service through the generous support from Boston Harbor Cruises and Boston Harbor Now.
Boston Harbor Now will continue to offer and explore additional discounted and free access options to the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. Please visit our Free Access page for more info and current opportunities to visit the Boston Harbor Islands for free: https://www.bostonharbornow.org/what-we-do/play/free-access/