29th March, 2023

Scenic Commuter Rides For Travellers

Home to the longest coastline in the world, Canada provides plenty of sightseeing opportunities by sea and along thousands of waterways. The country boasts more than 180 ferry routes – at least one in every province and most territories.

Journeys by water: Local Indigenous peoples have long travelled this land by canoe, manoeuvring rivers, lakes and parts of the ocean. Even today, navigation of waterways remains a crucial mode of transportation in Canada. Water travel is particularly prevalent in coastal and lakeside cities like Vancouver, BC, Toronto, Ontario, and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. In all of these destinations, ferries are used to carry passengers, vehicles and cargo across bodies of water.

Great for travellers: As an economic, accessible and scenic way to travel, ferries are a great way to explore large cities, remote communities and the vast outdoors.

Sustainability moves: With advances in technology, motorized ferries are also becoming more sustainable. BC Ferries – one of the largest ferry operators in the world – recently launched The Island Class ferries, which are battery-hybrid electric vessels that provide service along the BC coast. In addition to using less emissions, the ferries are quieter to protect marine life. Their diesel-electric engines use some of the most advanced clean marine technology in the world.

The first zero-emission electric ferry in Canada was introduced by Toronto, Ontario, in 2021. Called the Marilyn Bell I, the ship connects passengers, vehicles and supplies to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. It's powered entirely by electricity from clean wind and solar sources. See the boat in action here. And, passengers travelling between Wolfe Island and Kingston, Ontario will notice their ride is now electric aboard the new Wolfe Islander IV.

Dig deeper: Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development in Frontenac County, Ontario, formerly served as a city councillor in Kingston and board chair for RTO9. His passion for, and intimate knowledge of, Wolfe Island makes him a valuable resource for the Wolfe Island Ferry and surrounding area.

Hop on: Ready to see Canada by water? You'll enjoy these seven scenic ferry routes just as much as your final destination.

• Old salt: Linking downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia with two locations in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry service is a swift 15-minute journey (30 minutes outside of peak season) featuring memorable views of Halifax Harbour and its many landmarks. The ferries are named after notable Nova Scotians, including its newest boat Rita Joe, which honours a Mi'kmaw poet and songwriter. Did you know? The Halifax-Dartmouth ferry service is the oldest saltwater ferry in North America and the second oldest in the world, running since 1752.
  
  
• Island connector: Northumberland Ferries offers a seasonal 75-minute ride between Woods Island, Prince Edward Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia, connecting the island to the mainland via the Northumberland Strait. The journey showcases the best of the island with local favourite Cow's ice cream served onboard, as well as locally crafted products and live music by local musicians. Guests are treated to spectacular coastline views as the island comes into sight. Did you know? Prior to PEI's Confederation Bridge opening in 1997, the ferry was the only way for visitors to reach the island. The service started in 1941 with a vessel called the MV Prince Nova. Demand grew, and a second vessel was added in the late '50s. Dig deeper: Jessica Gillis, director of marketing and customer experience for Bay Ferries/Northumberland Ferries, can answer questions and provide further information about the ferry and its operations.
  
  
• Skyline views: See a different side of Quebec City, Quebec, with a ride on the Quebec City Ferry. The 12-minute route across the St. Lawrence River to Lévis showcases the iconic Château Frontenac with the varied architecture of Old Québec at its feet. It's also the best way to see the city skyline, by day or night. Did you know? When travelling on the ferry in winter, you might hear giant ice blocks colliding on the frozen river.
  
  
• Head for the islands: The Toronto Islands Ferry in Toronto, Ontario travels between the shore of Lake Ontario and three different islands in a 15-island archipelago. Each route features striking views of the Toronto harbour and skyline (keep your camera at the ready!). The Ward's Island ferry operates year-round, while the Centre Island and Hanlan's Island ferries are seasonal. Did you know? The Toronto Islands are car-free, so the ferries only transport passengers and bicycles.
• Time travel: Bleriot Ferry in Alberta connects the North Dinosaur Trail as it traverses the Red Deer River northwest of Drumheller. Passengers will find the trip across the river quite short – it only spans 105 metres (344 feet), and takes less than seven minutes to complete – but it's a unique way to explore the Badlands. The cable ferry operates seasonally (May to the end of October). Did you know? Though the ferry itself is not much to look at, the dramatic cliff faces along the river are another story, representing 70 million years of history. It's considered Canada's Grand Canyon, full of fossils and dinosaur bones. Dig deeper: Gilles Danis, manager of the Homestead Antique Museum, has extensive knowledge of the history of the Bleriot Ferry. 
• Tiny traverse: If you're travelling on Highway 42 in Saskatchewan and reach Lake Diefenbaker, you'll need to board the ( free) Riverhurst Ferry to continue your journey. The 1.5-kilometre (0.9-mile) route sails across the lake, linking the village of Riverhurst on the east side to the community of Lucky Lake on the west. The ferry only operates during the warmer months when the lake is free of ice; in winter, the route goes over the lake via an ice road. Did you know? When running, the ferry operates 24 hours a day (at night, it operates on demand). Dig deeper: Saman Razavi, associate professor at the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, has reported that low levels of water are threatening the Riverhurst Ferry's operation. He is an excellent resource for further and deeper learning about the ferry and the role of climate change in future ferry operations.
  
  
• Journey of a lifetime: From Port Hardy, BC on the northern edge of Vancouver Island, hop aboard the BC Ferries route to Prince Rupert, BC for an epic journey through the Inside Passage (hotel and experience packages are available, as well as ferry passage only). Passengers will see breathtaking panoramas of rugged mountain coastline, lush forested islands, and narrow channels surrounded by towering cliffs. Did you know? Bring reading material – in the summer months, the trip takes a staggering 15 hours. Dig deeper: Brenda Eaton, chair of the BC Ferries board of directors, is a font of knowledge when it comes to BC Ferries routes, including the Inside Passage.  

Images: Credits 

1. Riverhurst Ferry, Destination Saskatchewan 
2. Inside  Passage Ferry, Destination British Columbia
3. Toronto Islands Ferry, Lake Ontario, Destination Toronto 

Readers wanting more information on planning trips to Canada should go to www.explore-canada.co.uk

Media seeking images, stories and news should head to www.destinationcanada.com/media 

For more media information please contact Ms. Nim Singh, Destination Canada, singh.nim@destinationcanada.com (not for publication)