PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

April 28, 2026

Set sail on the MS Chi-Cheemaun!
The 2026 sailing season begins May 1.

Owen Sound, Ont. – The MS Chi-Cheemaun sets sail May 1, marking the start of the 2026 sailing season with daily crossings between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island through one of Ontario’s most scenic waterways.

“For more than 50 years, the MS Chi-Cheemaun has been a vital connection for locals, tourists and businesses travelling between the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation. “As the 2026 sailing season begins, our government is proud to support safe, reliable ferry service that keeps communities connected, supports local tourism and helps drive economic growth across the region.”

From signature sailings to onboard favourites, here are a few highlights passengers can look forward to this season:

• Spring Repositioning Cruise: The season kicks off with the sold-out Spring Repositioning Cruise, an annual favourite that signals the official start of the MS Chi-Cheemaun sailing season. This amazing voyage departs from Owen Sound Harbour on April 30, 2026, for Tobermory. This year, Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey will be the onboard fundraising partner. With the MS Chi-Cheemaun scheduled for its five-year dry dock inspection at the end of the season in October, a Fall Repositioning Cruise has not been scheduled.

• Sail Through Time exhibit: Explore OSTC’s rich history at the Sail Through Time exhibit, featuring historic photographs and artifacts—free to visit during your sailing.

• Play for Passage program: Enjoy live entertainment on select sailings throughout the season, featuring guest speakers, musicians and artists. Learn more at: https://www.ontarioferries.com/play/.

• Chi-Cheemaun Festival Cruise: On Saturday, June 13, 2026, join us for a special evening sailing along Tobermory’s shoreline, complete with a BBQ meal and spectacular fireworks display (weather permitting), hosted in partnership with Tobermory’s Chi-Cheemaun Festival Committee. Additional details—including when tickets will go on sale—will be announced soon on our website, www.ontarioferries.com.

• Boatique Gift Store: Browse a thoughtfully curated selection of new and classic items at the ship’s gift store.

• Vehicle deck: The MS Chi-Cheemaun continues to offer a spacious vehicle deck that can safely accommodate everything from large motorhomes and commercial vehicles to bicycles.

• Access for walk-on passengers: All are warmly welcomed aboard to enjoy the journey.

Please note that all events and dates are subject to change.

For reservations and additional information, call 1-800-265-3163 or visit www.ontarioferries.com.

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About the MS Chi-Cheemaun:
As one of the most recognizable ferries in Canada, the MS Chi-Cheemaun continues to be an integral symbol of Georgian Bay and has carried an estimated 10 million passengers and 3 million vehicles, completing 24,000 voyages between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island since 1974.

About Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC):
The Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC), an agency of the Government of Ontario, plays a vital role in Ontario’s tourism and transportation system, overseeing the operation of four ships, seven terminals and dock facilities and administers contractor-operated seasonal air service. OSTC owns and operates the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry, which provides seasonal service to community members, commercial clients and a large tourism-based ridership between Manitoulin Island and the Bruce Peninsula, sailing along the borders of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. The MV Niska I, a landing craft ferry, provides vehicle, freight and passenger transportation services between Moosonee and Moose Factory Island on the Moose River at the mouth of James Bay. Additionally, OSTC operates the MV Pelee Islander and MV Pelee Islander II for ferry service between the mainland, Pelee Island, and Sandusky, Ohio.

Contact:
Nahleena Tye, Manager of Marketing and Communications
nahleena.tye@ontarioferries.com
519.376.8740 ext. 227

We are excited to share that all tickets for our 2026 Spring Repositioning Cruise aboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun have been sold out. This annual event marks the official start of our sailing season, with the cruise departing from Owen Sound Harbour on April 30 and heading to Tobermory.

If you were unable to secure a spot for this special voyage, we invite you to join us on another date. The Chi-Cheemaun sails daily between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island from May 1 through October 18, 2026.

View our schedule: https://www.ontarioferries.com/ms-chi-cheemaun/schedule-overview/

Please join us in congratulating Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey as the non-profit organization that will be fundraising onboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun for our 2026 Spring Repositioning Cruise!

Learn more about Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey:  https://www.whsbg.on.ca/

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REMINDER: SPRING REPOSITIONING TICKETS GO ON SALE APRIL 1 @ 8am EST!

Kick off the sailing season on the Chi-Cheemaun with our annual Spring Repositioning Cruise, departing April 30 from the Owen Sound Harbour and sailing up to Tobermory!

This popular four-and-a-half-hour voyage is a passenger-only venue. Ticket price includes a lunch buffet featuring our traditional roast beef option. Tickets go on sale April 1 and are available by phone only: 1-800-265-3163

Please note: At this time, only a Spring Repositioning Cruise is planned for 2026. The Chi-Cheemaun is scheduled for its five-year dry dock inspection at the end of the sailing season in October, and a Fall Repositioning Cruise has not been scheduled.

Fares:
$85 Adult/senior
$45 Children 5-11
Free under 5

Itinerary & Boarding Times:
April 30, 2026
11:00 Boarding at Owen Sound Harbour off of 1st Ave. West
12:00 Sailing | Cafeteria opens upon departure and lunch buffet commences
16:30 Arriving at Tobermory
17:00 *Bus arrival at Tobermory Terminal
18:30 Estimated time for buses returning to Owen Sound Harbour
All times are approximate.

Parking:
Free parking is available at 1155 1st Ave. West, Owen Sound at a first come-first served basis.
Additional parking is located across from the Legion on the east side of 2nd Ave. West.

Service Animals:
Please note pets are not permitted on this cruise; however, service animals are welcomed.

Musical Guest:
Moondance

Reservations by phone only:
1-800-265-3163

*Bus:
Yellow school buses are provided to continue to help keep ticket costs down.

For Immediate Release

March 17, 2026

MS Chi-Cheemaun Reservations Are Officially Open!

Owen Sound, Ont. – Reservations are now open for the MS Chi-Cheemaun. The Owen Sound Transportation Company looks forward to welcoming travellers back for the 2026 sailing season.

As one of Canada’s most recognizable ferries, the Chi-Cheemaun will offer daily sailings between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island from May 1 to Oct. 18, 2026. The scenic crossing takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes during peak season and two hours during off-peak periods.

The Chi-Cheemaun features a spacious vehicle deck that can accommodating everything from large motor homes and commercial vehicles to bicycles, with walk-on passengers welcome.

View the Chi-Cheemaun sailing schedule at: https://www.ontarioferries.com/ms-chi-cheemaun/schedule-overview/.

Travel in Good Spirits and reserve your crossing by calling 1-800-265-3163 or booking online at: https://www.ontarioferries.com/reservations/login.php.

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About the Chi-Cheemaun:

As one of the most recognizable ferries in Canada, the Chi-Cheemaun continues to be an integral symbol of Georgian Bay, and has carried an estimated 10 million passengers, three million vehicles, and has completed 24,000 voyages between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island since 1974.

About Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC): 

The Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC), an agency of the Government of Ontario, plays a vital role in Ontario’s tourism and transportation system, overseeing the operation of four ships, seven terminals and dock facilities, and administers contractor-operated seasonal air service. OSTC owns and operates the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry, which provides seasonal service to community members, commercial clients and a large tourism-based ridership between Manitoulin Island and the Bruce Peninsula, sailing along the borders of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. The MV Niska I, a landing craft ferry, provides vehicle, freight and passenger transportation services between Moosonee and Moose Factory Island on the Moose River at the mouth of James Bay. Additionally, OSTC operates the MV Pelee Islander and MV Pelee Islander II for ferry service between the mainland, Pelee Island, and Sandusky, Ohio.

Contact:
Nahleena Tye, Manager of Marketing and Communications
nahleena.tye @ontarioferries.com
519.376.8740 ext. 227

March 17, 2026

UPDATE – MS Chi-Cheemaun Reservation:

Our website reservation issues that we communicated on March 16th  have been resolved. Online booking is now available. You can also book by phone, but wait times may be longer than usual due to high call volume.

March 16, 2026

MS Chi-Cheemaun Reservation Notice:

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our website, please note online booking is temporarily unavailable.

Reservations can be made calling in, however call volumes are high and wait times may be longer than usual.

Our team is actively working to fix the issue, and we will keep you updated as soon as online booking is restored.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.