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Frequently Asked Questions

Find the information you need to prepare for a safe and smooth crossing aboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun, Pelee Island Ferries, and the MV Niska 1, with answers to your most commonly asked questions, from booking to boarding and beyond.

MS Chi-Cheemaun FAQs

Passengers must arrive at least one hour before departure to allow time for check-in, standby vehicle processing, vehicle loading, and safe boarding.

Loading begins approximately 30 minutes before departure, and arriving early is necessary to ensure the ferry can depart on time.

Passengers travelling with vehicles are considered late if they arrive less than one hour before their scheduled sailing time.  

For example, arriving 57 minutes before departure is considered late. At that point, your reserved space is no longer guaranteed, and you will be placed on standby if space is available.  

This one-hour arrival requirement gives our staff the time needed to safely prepare and process a high volume of passengers and vehicles, helping to keep the ferry on schedule.

All walk-on passengers must check in at the terminal building and pick up their boarding passes at least one hour before their scheduled sailing time. This applies to passengers with reservations as well as those purchasing tickets in person. 

Passengers who arrive less than one hour before sailing may not be processed in time to board.

When booking a reservation please have the following ready: 

  • total vehicle length, width, and height 
  • number of passengers, including ages 
  • information about any dangerous goods you will be carrying and the quantity/amount 
  • method of payment 

If you are booking for a bus, transport truck, or oversized vehicle, 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 or voicemail left at the Reservation Centre (1.800.265.3163) will be processed as of date/time received.

For Cancellations for Pelee Island Ferries please visit: 
https://ontarioferries.com/support/terms-conditions

Our terminals and vessels are busiest on holiday weekends, with peak traffic typically occurring from Friday through Monday.  If you are travelling during these periods, please allow extra time to reach your destination.

We recommend you book well in advance especially for large vehicles or those with trailers.

Chi-Cheemaun Ferry Terminal Parking Fees 

Tobermory and South Baymouth ferry terminals offer paid parking during the sailing season. Fees are in effect seven days a week, from the start to end of the sailing season. 

Ferry terminal parking lots are reserved for ferry users only and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, as space permits. Vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk. 

Passengers must purchase a parking pass from the terminal office upon arrival and display it clearly on the vehicle dashboard.  

Vehicles without a valid parking pass may be towed or removed at the sole risk and expense of the vehicle owner or operator. 

Parking Fees 
$10 per day 

Overnight camping of any kind is not permitted on OSTC premises or in terminal parking lots. Please use designated campgrounds only.

Reservations made online or by phone may be paid by; 

  • Visa  
  • Mastercard or  
  • American Express. 

Payment methods accepted at terminals and onboard: 

  • All the above 
  • Cash 
  • Debit 

There are no ATMs onboard or at the terminals. 

Reservation charges will appear on your credit card statement as “Owen Sound Transportation”. 

Attention: Paying cash or debit at the terminals for advance bookings is not recommended.

There are no ATMs at the ferry terminals or on the Chi-Cheemaun. Please plan ahead.

There are no public telephones, internet, or Wifi available on the ferry or at the terminals. Personal cell phones may be used.  

Please note, cell service and internet connectivity on is unreliable and inconsistent on the Bruce Peninsula, the Chi-Cheemaun, and Manitoulin Island.  

The Chi-Cheemaun is equipped with a radio phone for emergency use by crew only.

Customers are not permitted to carry dangerous goods that exceed the limits outlined in the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Policy. 

What are dangerous goods?  

Dangerous goods include, but are not limited to: 

  • Explosives (ammunition, fireworks) 
  • Compressed gases (propane, acetylene, camping gases, scuba tanks, oxygen, aerosols) 
  • Flammable liquids (gasoline, diesel, camping fuels, paint) 
  • Flammable solids (hay and straw) 
  • Oxidizers and organic peroxides (oxygen, bleaches, fertilizers, hydrogen peroxide) 
  • Toxic or infectious substances (fungicides, pesticides) 
  • Radioactive materials (measuring instruments) 
  • Corrosives (batteries, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, some cleaners and disinfectants) 
  • Lithium-ion batteries 
  • Firearms 

To learn more, please consult the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.  

Important Alerts  

The following goods/quantities are not permitted onboard: 

  • Goods exceeding quantity limits, including built-in propane tanks exceeding 65 L or 17.1 gal  
  • Butane and isobutane camping fuels that do not meet policy definition 
  • Propylene and certain MAP gases 
  • Fireworks, pyrotechnics 
  • Electric vehicles or bicycles with damaged or defective lithium-ion batteries 

If you are carrying dangerous goods that are not listed in our policy, please contact: 

Chi-Cheemaun 1-800-265-3163 

Cyclists should proceed to the vehicle ticket booth to collect their ticket. The ticket agent will direct you onto the loading dock.  Reservations are recommended. Please call the reservations office at 1-800-265-3163.

Pets are welcome on the Chi-Cheemaun in the pet designated areas. They must be under their owner’s care and control at all times. 

Animals must be leashed or in a carrier you can manage yourself.  

Pets may stay in vehicles; however, access to the Car Deck is restricted while the ship is underway, they will be unattended for nearly two hours. Exceptions apply for guide dogs and certified service animals. Service animals must be wearing self-identifying vests. 

Large animals such as horses must be in a trailer.

We do allow vehicles transporting livestock and transport trucks to onboard the Chi-Cheemaun. Space fills up quickly during our on-peak season. Please call to reserve your space 1.800.265.3163.

Public transportation, car rentals, taxis and rides shares are not available in Tobermory or South Baymouth.

Yes, buses and motorcoaches must make advanced reservations and may book on any sailing. A valid credit card number, Visa, MasterCard or American Express, must be provided to guarantee reservations.

Buses must arrive at least one 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, trucks requiring overweight highway permits cannot be accepted for passage.

Customers are responsible for bringing their own tie-downs and securing their motorcycles on the car deck. Rope is available if needed.

Customers must arrive at least one hour prior to sailing time. Reservations are recommended; please call 1-800-265-3163.

Unaccompanied vehicles are not permitted on the Chi-Cheemaun.

The driver must travel onboard during the crossing, have the vehicle keys in their possession, and remain available to move the vehicle. Vehicles may not be dropped off or transported for another person to pick up at the destination terminal.

Any vehicle left unattended or not in compliance with these Term & Conditions may be towed or removed at the sole risk and expense of the vehicle’s owner or operator.

There is highway signage that provides directions to our ferry terminals. Our addresses and contact phone numbers are: 

Tobermory Terminal 
8 Eliza Street  

Tobermory, ON N0H 2R0 
519-596-2510 

South Baymouth Terminal 
41 Water Street 

South Baymouth, ON P0P 1Z0 
705-859-3161 

A 10% passenger discount is offered for 10 or more paying passengers booked in single reservation and are: 

  • travelling in the same vehicle, or  
  • walking on as a group. 

The discount does not apply to the vehicle. 

There is reduced passenger fares for people age 65 and older.

Customers who require a support person pay the regular fare. The support person travels at no additional cost.

Some vessels have design features related to the age of the vessel and safety requirements that may make it difficult for some motorized wheelchairs or scooters to move through all areas.  

If you are travelling with a motorized wheelchair, please let us know, because a transfer to a standard wheelchair may be needed to safely get around the vessel. Standard wheelchairs are available, subject to availability.  

For more information about accessibility, please see https://www.ontarioferries.com/accessibility/ 

Boarding Assistance 

Passengers who need additional assistance may board ahead of others to allow time for seating or storing mobility aids. Please let our staff know when you book or when you arrive at the terminal.

Complimentary Electric Shuttle 

A complimentary electric shuttle is available at all terminals to help transport passengers between the terminals and vessels. 

Staff can assist passengers who need shuttle service between terminals, vessels, and elevators. 

Assistive devices 

Standardsize wheelchairs are available at all terminals and on the MS ChiCheemaun and Pelee Island ferries, subject to availability. Please let us know if you need a wheelchair so we can assist you. 

Elevators 

The MS ChiCheemaun and MV Pelee Islander II are equipped with elevators connecting the car deck to upper passenger decks. 

During disembarkation, access to the elevator on the MS ChiCheemaun may be limited due to vehicle loading on the car deck. In these situations, we encourage passengers to use dockside elevators at the terminal. A complimentary shuttle is available to assist passengers between the terminal and their vehicle. 

We welcome service animals in all areas open to the public, including onboard vessels and in terminal buildings. 

  • A service animal is an animal that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. 
  • Service animals are often identified by a harness, vest, or the way they assist a person. If it is not clear that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask questions to understand how the animal supports a disability. Passengers are strongly encouraged to travel with documentation for their service animals. 
  • Service animals must always remain under the control of the passenger. This means the animal should be harnessed, leashed, or otherwise properly controlled during travel

There are no lockers available on the Ferry, however there is limited space for carry-on luggage in the mid-ship walk on passenger area. Customers requiring assistance with luggage should advise Ticket Agent upon arrival.  

Luggage beyond what a customer can carry in one trip may be subject to freight charges. 

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.

All OSTC vessels and terminals are smoke-free and vape-free.

Vehicles are not always loaded in the order they arrive. Our experienced crew positions vehicles to balance the load and use deck space safely and efficiently.  

Since every sailing carries a different mix of vehicles, the loading order changes with each trip, and the first vehicles on may not be the first to disembark.

If a Chi-Cheemaun ferry crossing (or multiple crossings) is cancelled, we will communicate the cancellation.  

Cancellations are communicated to affected customers by email, texts and/or phone calls.  

Cancellations are also posted on our: 

We make every effort to rebook passengers with vehicle reservations on the next available sailing with space. If space on the next sailing is limited, standby may be offered.

Pelee Island Ferries FAQs

Dangerous Goods – Gasoline, Propane & Other Restricted Items
Dangerous goods are regulated under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations and the Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations.
For safety reasons, restrictions apply to common products such as gasoline, propane, and other hazardous materials on OSTC vessels.

Important Information for Travellers
Certain everyday items are classified as dangerous goods and are subject to limits and conditions.

-All dangerous goods must be properly stored, secured, and clearly identified.
-Undeclared or unsafe items may be refused for transport.
-Vehicles and cargo may be checked for leaks or unsafe conditions at the terminal.

Shipping Documents
Some dangerous goods require a shipping document.
Passengers must bring completed documentation to the terminal at the time of travel.

Before You Travel
Please review the attached list of common dangerous goods and their restrictions before travelling.
If you are unsure whether an item is restricted or requires documentation, contact OSTC in advance of travel to avoid delays.

Learn more here: Carriage of Dangerous Goods – Pelee Island Ferries

Form to fill out: Dangerous Goods Shipping Document

Yes, reservations and advance payment are required.

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.

Customers are responsible for bringing their own tie-downs and securing their motorcycles on the car deck. Reservations are recommended; please call 1-800-661-2220.

Cyclists should proceed to the walk-on window to receive your boarding passes. The ticket agent will direct you on to the loading dock. Reservations are required.

Pets are permitted onboard Pelee Island Ferries. They must be leashed or in a carrier, accompanied by their owner, and remain in designated pet areas. Pets may stay in vehicles; however, because access to the Car Deck is restricted while the ship is underway, they will be unattended for nearly two hours. Exceptions apply for guide dogs and certified service animals.

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 3W1
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.  Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Visa debit can be used online, over the phone, and on site.

There are no ATM’s on the ship or at the terminals.

Smoking and vaping are not permitted aboard our ferries.

There are no car rentals, public transportation, or cabs on the island.

There is a medical clinic on the island.

Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more paying customers 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 Pelee Islander II. Please advise the reservation agent at the time of booking and the ticket agent upon arrival, if such services are required. You are required to arrive one hour prior to departure, or your reservation may be void.

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 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.

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.

MV Niska 1 FAQs

No, the MV Niska 1 operates as a cashless environment. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Debit at the Complex and on the ferry.

Yes, it is an open deck vessel, and pets are allowed on the ferry.

Yes, walk-on passengers are generally allowed, however no other vehicle(s) or walk-on passengers are allowed on the vessel with propane/fuel or gas delivery trucks (dangerous goods runs).

All walk-on passengers must book a reservation ahead of time either online or calling in at 705.658.4335 and pay in advance.

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 vehicle is allowed to cross without a driver, however someone will have to drive it on and off the vessel.

Niska 1 is able to be chartered upon availability.

Regular Sailing Season: 

  • The MV Niska 1 sails Monday to Friday, June to October. Season dates will be posted once confirmed. 

Limited Sunday Service: 

  • The MV Niska 1 also offers limited Sunday sailings while the Ontario Northland Sunday train is running, usually late June to October. To learn more and book and Sunday sailing please call 1-705-658-4335. 

Information: 

The MV Niska 1 runs dedicated Dangerous Goods sailings. For safety, no passengers are permitted on Dangerous Goods sailings. The only exception is the certified operator of the vehicle carrying the dangerous goods. 

For more information or to confirm the schedule, please call 1-705-658-4335.

There’s no smoking or vaping permitted on the entire ship.