Ferries to Pelee Island: Route Map
Reaching Canada’s southernmost inhabited point in the Great Lakes requires using the Owen Sound Transportation Company, with departures from Leamington or Kingsville. This is a seasonal car-ferry service that serves as the island’s only link for heavy supplies and passenger vehicles from the Ontario mainland. During the late summer, a secondary international link often connects the island to Sandusky, Ohio, making it a unique cross-border transit point within the regional network.
From Ontario to Pelee Island
Showing all 4 services
Start in May
Sandusky ↔ Put-in-Bay
Jet Express · 45m🚗 ✕🚐 ✕Stopover: Cedar Point → Kelleys IslandFrom $30
Pelee Island ferry requirements
Traveling to Pelee Island requires significantly more lead time than other Great Lakes destinations due to the length of the crossing and limited vehicle capacity.
- The Owen Sound Transportation Company operates the only service to the island, with mainland departures switching seasonally between Leamington (April–July) and Kingsville (August–December); always verify the current port before heading to the dock.
- Reservations are mandatory for all passengers, including walk-ons and cyclists; vehicle spots on the MV Pelee Islander II often sell out months in advance for summer weekends, and “drive-on” availability is virtually non-existent.
- International travelers departing from Sandusky, Ohio must present a valid passport and arrive at least 60 minutes prior to sailing for customs processing; this route only operates from late spring through September.
- The 90-minute crossing is the only way to transport a vehicle to the island, but once there, fuel is limited to a single cooperative station with restricted hours; ensure your tank is full before leaving the mainland.
- Because the ferry is highly susceptible to Lake Erie’s shallow-water swells, service can be cancelled on short notice; it is essential to register for the operator’s text-alert system to receive real-time updates on weather delays.
