Cuttyhunk Ferry Company Schedules 2026

The Cuttyhunk Ferry runs year round between New Bedford and Cuttyhunk Island, the outermost of the Elizabeth Islands and part of the Town of Gosnold. One rule matters more than any timetable on this page: reservations are required for every passenger and every piece of freight. You cannot turn up at the pier and buy a ticket.

149 passengers, one hour, and a wine bar

The M/V Cuttyhunk is a whale-watch-style vessel carrying up to 149 passengers and making the crossing in about an hour. On board there is a fully licensed beer and wine bar, an espresso bar and light food. For an island run of this length that is an unusually complete offering — it reflects a crossing that people treat as part of the trip rather than an obstacle to it.

Owned and skippered by the same person

The company is owned and operated by Captain Jono Billings and his wife Sue. Billings is a 35-year veteran of the marine service industry who previously owned the Jamestown Boat Yard, sold in 2002, and holds a US Coast Guard 100-ton Master Mariners License. On a route with one boat and a small island at the end of it, knowing who is actually running the operation is not trivia.

Fares, and luggage priced by the pound

An adult single is $46.00 and a same-day round trip $68.00. Children aged 12 and under pay $36.00 and $53.00; under-twos travel free. A 10-trip commuter pass is available on request. Luggage costs $5 per item up to 40 lb, $10 for 40 to 75 lb, and above 75 lb it is charged at $0.18 per pound — on an island with no supermarket, freight pricing is a real part of the fare.

The water taxi price collapses with group size

Alongside the scheduled boat the company runs the Cuttyhunk Shuttle, a water taxi across Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, and its pricing is worth seeing. Travelling alone costs $350. Two people pay $175 each, four pay $90, and at seven or more it drops to $50 a head — a sevenfold difference between solo and a full boat. With seven adults aboard, children under 12 travel at $30.

The timetable changes four times a season

Rather than one summer schedule, the operator publishes consecutive blocks: spring running 28 April to 21 May 2026 with a 09:00 out and 15:00 back on four days a week, then early summer from 22 May with more sailings and later departures, and separate additions for holiday weekends. Our data shows the resulting spread — five departures from New Bedford and seven from the island, across several different day patterns.

Call before you drive if the forecast is bad

The company posts the same warning on every page: if severe weather is predicted, ring 508.992.0200 before setting out, because sailings may be changed. In winter the same boats run seal-watching cruises out to Gull Island between Cuttyhunk and Penikese, where grey, harbour and harp seals come south to overwinter.