Nova Scotia-Maine Ferry Service - 2025 Season Monthly Update

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

A total of 24,613 have booked travel on The CAT as of July 8, 2025, compared to 19,308 as of June 12, 2025. This increase of more than 5,000 bookings in the last month represents a jump of more than 27%. 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 July 8, 2024, a total of 30,422 were booked for travel on The CAT. 

“We are pleased to see this year’s bookings going up as the year progresses, despite significant headwinds as many Canadians are choosing not to travel to the United States,” 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 remain committed to welcoming passengers from around the world on this unique transportation link between New England and the Maritimes.” 

On June 26, Wilson hosted Maine Governor Janet Mills on the ferry from Yarmouth to Bar Harbor. Governor Mills recently visited New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to encourage residents to visit Maine. 

“Having received such strong support from the Government of Nova Scotia over the years, we are grateful that Governor Mills took the time to experience this ocean connection to her state,” added Wilson. “With daily service and peak season now underway, our team is ready to welcome even more travelers on board The CAT.” 

Year-to-date, the vessel has completed 37 round trips, with seven round trips cancelled, all due to poor weather conditions in May and June. 

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-August 2025.