The Cumberland Island Ferry departs from St. Marys, Georgia
ARRIVING BY FERRY
Nearly all visitors to Cumberland Island National Seashore arrive via the Cumberland Island Ferry operated by Lang’s Seafood, an authorized park concessionaire. Departure is from the Visitor Center in St. Marys, Georgia, and the ride takes 45 minutes. The ship holds 150 passengers and does not transport canoes, kayaks, or cars. There is room for ten bikes, and you can reserve a spot (fee charged) when purchasing ferry tickets. The concessionaire also rents bikes on the island and hosts the Lands and Legacies Tour, an all-day history-oriented van tour. For the latest fees and schedules, visit the Cumberland Island Ferry website.
It is best to purchase tickets in advance by calling the ferry office or by using the online reservation system on the Cumberland Island Ferry website. There are two trips each day during the tourist season (March through November) with departure times at 9 AM and 11:45 AM. Taking the early ferry gets you six hours on the island and the late ferry gets you four hours, assuming you return on the last ferry back to St. Marys at 4:45 PM. There is service during the winter as well, but only on Thursday through Monday.
Even if you have purchased tickets in advance, you must still check in at the Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitor Center. I highly recommend arriving at least one hour early because the line gets long. The National Park Service states that you must be checked in prior to 30 minutes of departure, but the boat won’t leave with people standing in line—late departures are commonplace. However, checking in early and being free to do as you please is much better than standing in line for a half hour.
There is a fee to enter the park, and this is paid at the Visitor Center when you check in—it is not included in the ferry ticket price. Annual National Park Passes are accepted. See Cumberland Island National Seashore’s Fees and Passes web page for the latest prices.
If you arrive early, you may be thrilled to find a parking space right in front of the Visitor Center—how convenient! Unfortunately, you can only park here to drop off equipment and/or check in for the ferry ride and pay your entrance and camping fees. Vehicles left after the ferry departs will be towed. You can park for free either farther down the street in the roadside parking spaces or in the official parking lot for the park, which is a dirt field located on the next block behind a fancy mansion.
If you are taking the Lands and Legacies Tour, you must depart on the early ferry, as it arrives around 10 AM and the tour begins shortly after that. If you want a good shot at getting a rental bike, you also need to take the early ferry and then make a beeline to the rental area as soon as the ship docks at Sea Camp (the rental area is at the far end of the Ranger Station). There are only two dozen bikes for rent and up to 150 people on the ship, so it doesn’t take a genius to see that there are not enough bikes for everyone. Also, there are no child-size bikes for rent. All bikes are take on a first-come, first-served basis.
Park Rangers hold an island orientation about fifteen minutes before the ferry departs. If you have never been to Cumberland Island, I recommend attending. The Ranger will discuss what is possible to see and do within the time you will be on the island.
Ranger gives a Cumberland Island National Seashore orientation at the Visitor Center
The ferry makes two stops on the island, the first being at the Dungeness dock. Disembark here if you plan to see the Dungeness Historic Area or visit Dungeness Beach.
Arriving at the Dungeness Ferry Dock on Cumberland Island
The second stop, just a few minutes north, is Sea Camp. Disembark here if you are camping, want to rent a bike, or are taking the Lands and Legacies Tour. This stop is also the closest one to the beach—Sea Camp Beach is just a half-mile away. You can still visit the Dungeness area by walking a mile south down Grand Avenue, the main road that runs through the park.
Arriving at the Sea Camp Ferry Dock on Cumberland Island
The ferry has an enclosed lower deck and an open upper deck. In the fall, winter, and spring, despite the fact that the temperatures may be pleasant, if you are on the upper deck it can get quite cold due to the wind, so dress appropriately. Drinks and snacks are sold on the lower level. Campers can purchase ice from the ferry while it is docked at Sea Camp.
When returning back to St. Marys, be sure to arrive at the ferry dock about fifteen minutes before departure time. The difference in the departure time between the Dungeness and Sea Camp docks is just a few minutes, so whatever the stated time, assume that means from either location. The ferry first picks up passengers at Sea Camp and then heads south to Dungeness, the opposite of the drop off order. Those who miss the ferry must arrange for a very expensive charter boat ride back to the mainland or sleep on the Ranger Station porch.
ARRIVING BY PRIVATE BOAT
Those with their own boat are welcome to visit Cumberland Island, as are those arriving from the mainland in a hand-paddled watercraft. For boats under 25 feet only, docking is allowed on a first come, first served basis from dawn until dusk at the Sea Camp dock, the Dungeness dock, and the Plum Orchard dock. Because the ferry also uses the Sea Camp and Dungeness docks, only a portion is open to private boats. Areas painted in yellow are off limits. The entire dock at Plum Orchard is available. After sunset, motorized boats of all lengths must either anchor offshore or pull up on the beach (outside the Wilderness Area, which is located north of Stafford Island). If anchored, anchor lights must be on once the sun sets. Non-motorized watercraft (canoes and kayaks) can land on the shore anywhere on the island.
A fee is still required to enter the park regardless of how you arrive. Private boaters and those paddling to Cumberland Island can pay the entrance fee in advance at Pay.gov or at the pay station located at each dock. Take an envelope and put your fee inside, then drop it into the secure box after tearing your pass from the envelope. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted. For credit cards, enter your card information on the pay envelope. All you need is a pen, so make sure you have one with you.
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Last updated on April 12, 2022
