Nova Scotia-Maine Ferry - Service 2025 Season August Update

Bookings on the Nova Scotia-Maine ferry service are significantly increasing over the previous month. 

A total of 33,832 passengers have booked travel on The CAT as of August 14, 2025, compared to 24,613 as of July 8, 2025. This increase of 9,219 passengers in the last month represents a jump of more than 37%. 

“July was a strong month and indicators are very good for a continued strong performance for the remainder of August and into September,” said Mark Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Bay Ferries Limited (BFL), the operator of the ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Bar Harbor, Maine. “We are holding very close to last year in terms of American bookings for the service as travel into Nova Scotia and the Maritimes remains strong.” 

A significant drop in Canadian bookings, however, continues to be the major factor in an overall year-to-year decline in passenger bookings. As of August 14, 2024, a total of 40,950 were booked for travel on The CAT. 

“It’s clear that the national trends of Canadians choosing not to visit the United States are having an impact on overall passenger numbers,” added Wilson. 

Year-to-date, the vessel has completed 70 round trips, with nine round trips cancelled, all due to poor weather conditions in May, June and July. 

The CAT season started on May 15 and operated five days per week until June 18. Daily service began June 19 and will continue until September 22. As of September 25, The CAT operates five days per week until the final sailing of the season on October 15. 

Departure Times are 9:30 am Atlantic from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and 3:00 pm Eastern from Bar Harbor, Maine. 

For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.ferries.ca. 

BFL will continue to release monthly traffic reports during the operating season. The next report will be available no later than mid-September 2025.