Ms Chi-Cheemaun FAQ
Often, we have hundreds of passengers and vehicles waiting to board the ferry. Our staff requires a minimum of one hour to ensure everyone boards safely and that the ferry departs on time.
We start to load the ferry approximately 30 minutes before we depart.
Passengers travelling with vehicles are considered late if they arrive less than one hour before their scheduled sailing time. Please note, if you arrive 57 minutes before your sail, you are considered late, you will no longer have a reserved space and you will be placed in standby if space is available. Our staff needs to prepare and process hundreds of passengers and vehicles during that one hour timeframe to ensure the ferry departs on time.
We ask all walk-on passengers, including those with reservations as well as those purchasing a ticket in person, to arrive at the terminal building one hour before their sailing time to check-in and retrieve their boarding passes.
We are seeing an increase in walk-ons and require a full hour to process all passengers to ensure they board safely and in a timely manner.
When booking a reservation online or via phone, please have the following information ready:
total vehicle length, width, and height
number of passengers
method of payment
Buses, transport trucks and oversized vehicles, please call the reservation line directly at 1-800-265-3163.
For Chi-Cheemaun Reservations Only:
A full refund will be issued if a reservation is cancelled prior to 48 hours of sailing.
Cancellations within 24 to 48 hours of the sailing time will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made within 24 hours of the sailing time.
Cancellation requests sent by email will be processed as of date/time received.
For Cancellations for Pelee Island Ferries please visit:
https://www.ontarioferries.com/pelee-island-ferries/terms-conditions/
Our terminals and ship are always busiest on holiday weekends. Peak traffic volumes occur on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Weekends are usually busy. When travelling during these periods, please allow extra time to reach your destination.
Chi-Cheemaun Ferry Parking Lot Fees 2025
Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) has implemented daily parking fees, 7 days a week, at the Tobermory and South Baymouth ferry terminal parking lots during the sailing season, effective Friday, May 2, 2025. Parking fees are in effect until the end of the sailing season. Ferry parking lots are restricted to ferry users only, and available on a first come, first served basis, as space permits. Parking is used at your own risk.
Passengers are required to purchase their parking pass from the terminal office upon arrival. Parking passes must be displayed clearly on the vehicle dashboard. Vehicles without valid parking passes will be towed or removed at the sole risk and cost of the owner or operator of the vehicle.
Parking Fees:
$10/day
$70/week
Overnight camping of any kind is not permitted on our premises or parking lots. Use designated campgrounds only.
Passenger fares may be purchased using cash, traveller’s cheques, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or debit cards.
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and debit cards are accepted onboard the Chi-Cheemaun.
There are no ATM’s at the ferry terminals or on the Chi-Cheemaun. Please plan ahead.
No, we do not have telephones/internet on our ferry. Personal cell phones can generally be used, but reception can sometimes be poor. The ship does have a radio phone for emergencies.
Learn more here: Carriage of Dangerous Goods – Chi-Cheemaun
Form to fill out: Dangerous Goods Shipping Document
Cyclists should proceed to the vehicle ticket booth to purchase their ticket. The ticket agent will direct you onto the loading dock. Reservations are not required.
Yes. Pets are allowed onboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun. Pets must be on leashes or in cages and accompanied by their owner and will be allowed on the outside Cafeteria deck only. You may leave your pet in your vehicle if you wish, but because no one is allowed on the automobile deck when the ship is sailing, your pet will be unattended for almost 2 hours. The only exceptions are guide dogs for people who are visually impaired, and certified assistance dogs for those with other disabilities.
We do allow vehicles transporting livestock onboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun. Reservations recommended. Please call 1.800.265.3163.
There is a bus that connects with the Tobermory Terminal, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays while we are on the Summer Schedule. For more details call Laidlaw Bus Terminal 519.376.5712.
Parkbus provides bus service out of Toronto to the Tobermory area on various dates throughout the sailing season. Visit www.parkbus.ca for more information.
Yes, buses and motorcoaches must make advanced reservations and may book on any sailings. A valid credit card number, Visa, MasterCard or American Express, must be provided to guarantee reservations. Buses must arrive at least 1 hour in advance of their sailing time. Please contact reservations at 1-800-265-3163 to be connected with a Commercial Booking Agent.
Some restrictions and additional fees apply to commercial vehicles. Please contact reservations at 1-800-265-3163 to be connected with a Commercial Booking Agent.
Please note that trucks requiring overweight highway permits cannot be accepted for passage.
We supply tie-downs to secure motorcycles to the automobile deck. Reservations are recommended. (1.800.265.3163)
While there is plenty of highway signage to guide you to our ferry terminals, we understand that many customers would like more information on how to find them.
Tobermory Terminal – 8 Eliza Street, Tobermory, Ontario, NOH 2RO.
(519 596 2510)
South Baymouth Terminal – 41 Water Street, South Baymouth, Ontario, POP 1Z0
(705 859 3161)
Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more travelling in one vehicle. They will receive an overall discount of 10% if done as a single payment.
Yes. There are special passenger fares for seniors using our ferry. You must be 65 years of age or older.
Yes. Adults or children with specific accessibility needs who require the assistance of an attendant will be charged the full fare, however, their attendant fare is free.
OSTC provides a variety of services for persons with disabilities to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for our passengers. Wheelchair and elevator service are available; please advise ticket agent on arrival if such services are required. Please visit our accessibility page for complete information on OSTC’s accessibility policies and procedures.
Note: Some motorized wheelchairs may not fit and a transfer wheelchair may be necessary. Please call ahead if bringing a motorized wheelchair.
There are no lockers available on the M.S. Chi Cheemaun however there is room for carry on luggage in the mid ship walk on passenger area. Customers requiring assistance with luggage should advise Ticket Agent when purchasing ticket. The Owen Sound Transportation Company does not accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, baggage or contents under any circumstances. Luggage containing dangerous goods is not permitted.
We now offer a smoke and vaping free environment on the entire ship.
Although we strive to ensure that our customers are loaded in sequence according to the time of their arrival at the terminal, staff are primarily concerned with dispersing vehicles in an appropriate fashion on the deck. Vehicle loading always requires careful attention to balancing the load and using all available space in an efficient, orderly and safe manner. Loading takes place under the supervision of experienced crew members who are directed by the Chief Officer or Mate of the vessel. The Chief Officer is required to work with whatever mix of vehicles is waiting to board or disembark from the ship, in the sequence he or she judges will best accomplish these goals. Since the mix of vehicles varies greatly from sailing to sailing, procedures that work well in one situation might not apply in another. Vehicles that are first to board the ferry might not necessarily be the first to disembark.
The Chi-Cheemaun does not offer Wifi on-board while crossing or at the terminals.
In the event that a ferry crossing or multiple crossings are cancelled due to unsafe weather, or a mechanical issue with the ferry, we do our very best to re-book passengers with vehicle reservations onto the next available ferry crossing that has space available. If on next crossing is limited, stand-by will be offered as an option. We also add ferry crossings to the extent that legal and safe working hours of work allow, and are usually successful in moving all affected passengers within 24-36 hours of the cancellation event. We do not “bump” reserved passengers.
MV Pelee Island Ferries FAQ
Customers must declare additional fuel containers upon arrival at the dock. Transport Canada safety regulations prohibit the carriage of gasoline and propane in excess of the following quantities:
Recreational Vehicles – Not more than two 30lb cylinders of propane safely secured to the vehicle in an upright position with valves closed and tagged.
Vehicles with a built-in propane tank – The tank must be (OEM) original equipment manufactured and engineered for the vehicle.
Automobiles – Not more than one 25 litre container of gasoline.
Motorboats: Not more than two portable 25 litre containers.
All persons must vacate vehicle deck during crossing.
Yes, reservations and advance payment are required. Part of our policy while operating under COVID-19 requires that we have contact information for all passengers, which is collected at the time of booking. Our passenger capacity is also reduced, and reservations allow us to manage this reduced capacity.
Customer Cancellations – A full refund is applied to every reservation that is cancelled prior to a minimum of 120 hours (5 days) prior to sailing. Reservations made less than 5 days from sailing have until the end of the day to cancel on the day that the reservation was made.
Trucks requiring overweight highway permits cannot be accepted for passage. Wide-load highway permits are charged for half fare extra above normal rates. Some restrictions and additional fees apply. Reservations are required. Please call for details. (1-800-661-2220)
Yes, buses must make advanced reservations and can book on all sailings. Buses must call in their request to (1-800-661-2220). A valid credit card number, Visa, MasterCard or American Express, must guarantee all reservations. Groups of 10 or more persons receive an overall discount of 10%. Buses must arrive at least 1 hour in advance of their sailing time.
We supply tie-downs to secure motorcycles to the automobile deck. Reservations are required. (1-800-661-2220)
Cyclists should proceed to the vehicle ticket booth to purchase their ticket. The ticket agent will direct you on to the loading dock. Reservations are required.
Yes. Pets are allowed onboard the ship. Pets must be on leashes or in cages and accompanied by their owner and will be allowed on the outside promenade deck only. You may leave your pet in your vehicle if you wish, but because no one is allowed on the automobile deck when the ship is sailing, your pet will be unattended for almost 2 hours. The only exceptions are guide dogs for people who are visually impaired, and certified assistance dogs for those with other disabilities.
There are no lockers or room to store luggage on the ship. The Owen Sound Transportation Company does not accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, baggage or contents under any circumstances. Luggage containing dangerous goods is not permitted.
You must have proper identification including birthdates for all members in your party or they may refused passage. (ie Passports, Birth Certificates, Visa Waviers.) Customs offices are located on Pelee Island and in Sandusky when you disembark the ship. For more information on visiting the United States check out the Canada Border Services Agency website here.
Leamington Terminal
500 Erie Street, Leamington, Ontario, N8H 3E5
519.326.2154
Kingsville Terminal
25 Dock Road, Kingsville, Ontario, N9Y 2E7
519.733.4474
Sandusky Dock
109 W Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, OH, 44870
Yes. There is a Pay Parking lot situated at the Kingsville and Leamington Terminals.
Yes. Full fare is required at the time of booking and may be paid using Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Visa debit. Cash, debit & credit are accept on-board.
There are no ATM’s on the ship or at the terminals.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted aboard our ferries.
There is no car rental on the island. There is a cab service.
There is a medical clinic on the island.
Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more travelling in one vehicle. They will receive an overall discount of 10% if done as a single payment.
Yes. There are special passenger fares for seniors using our ferry. You must be 65 years of age or older.
Individuals with disabilities will be charged full fare, though if they travel with an attendant the attendant is not charged a fare.
Wheelchair and elevator service are available on the Jiimaan; please advise ticket agent on arrival if such services are required. Note: Some motorized wheelchairs may not fit and a transfer wheelchair may be necessary. Please call ahead if bringing a motorized wheelchair.
No, we do not have telephones/internet on our ferries. Personal cell phones can generally be used, but reception is intermittent. The ship does have a radio phone for emergencies.
Although we strive to ensure that our customers are loaded in sequence according to the time of their arrival at the terminal, staff are primarily concerned with dispersing vehicles in an appropriate fashion on the deck. Vehicle loading always requires careful attention to balancing the load and using all available space in an efficient, orderly and safe manner. Loading takes place under the supervision of experienced crew members who are directed by the Chief Officer or Mate of the vessel. The Chief Officer is required to work with whatever mix of vehicles is waiting to board or disembark from the ship, in the sequence he or she judges will best accomplish these goals. Since the mix of vehicles varies greatly from sailing to sailing, procedures that work well in one situation might not apply in another. Vehicles that are first to board the ferry might not necessarily be the first to disembark.
Weather conditions on Lake Erie can change very quickly from calm to dangerous. High winds on a shallow lake create difficult docking conditions for the ferries, and sometimes force the cancellation of ferry crossings. In the event that a ferry crossing or multiple crossings are cancelled due to unsafe weather, or a mechanical issue with the ferry, we do our very best to re-book passengers with vehicle reservations onto the next available ferry crossing that has space available. We also add ferry crossings to the extent that legal and safe working hours of work allow, and are usually successful in moving all affected passengers within 24-36 hours of the cancellation event. We do not “bump” reserved passengers, but Island residents will often voluntarily post-pone their travel knowing that they are making a space available on the ferry for tourists or guests who have vacations planned around a visit to beautiful Pelee Island.
MV Niska 1 FAQ
A: We do not accept debit payment. Cash is the only form of payment that is accepted.
A: Yes, it is an open deck vessel, and pets are allowed on the ferry.
A: Yes, Walk-ons are allowed, however no other vehicle(s) or walk-on passengers are allowed on the vessel with propane/ fuel or gas delivery trucks.
A: If you are travelling with a large group we recommend you call ahead of travelling. We also recommend you call beforehand in case there is a fuel/gas truck booked.
A: Passengers are not allowed on dangerous goods crossing, except for the certified operator of the Dangerous Goods vehicle. Passengers are only allowed on regular crossings.
A: A vehicle is allowed to cross without a driver, however someone will have to driver on and off the vessel.
A: Niska 1 is able to be chartered upon availability.
A: Regular sailing schedule is daily Monday – Friday
A: Up to one (1) trip per day will be designated as a “Dangerous Goods Run”. To be scheduled at the discretion of the Contractor. NO PASSENGERS may be carried on DANGEROUS GOODS RUNS, except for the certified operator of the Dangerous Goods vehicle.
A: There’s no smoking or vaping permitted on the entire ship.