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Voykit pocket guide · Canada
Ramea
Go for 1–2 nights only if you are already on the south coast ferry run: walk the island in 2–3 h, sleep at the lodge, leave on the next boat.
Ramea is a five-island archipelago village on Northwest Island, reached by provincial ferry from Burgeo (about 1 h 30 min) and, on some Tuesday and Thursday runs, from Grey River. The island is roughly 3 km by 1 km, so everything is walkable. Come for the wind-diesel plant, the lighthouse, seabird islands and the August music weekend — not for a resort.
- Country
- Canada
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Apr (ferry weather delays, most services closed)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CAD
- Money
- Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget $70–110 excl. bed · Mid $110–180 excl. bed · High $180+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Rogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores. Canadian data is expensive — an eSIM is often cheaper.
- Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Same as the US.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: CAD 1–2 per drink.; Taxi: 10–15%.; Housekeeping: CAD 3–5 a night.; Guide: 10–20% of the tour price.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).
- Toilets
- Free in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ferry Burgeo–Ramea, adult one way | $6 |
| Ferry, child, student or senior one way | $3.25 |
| Ferry, vehicle one way | $11 |
| Hostel bed / private room / rental house | $39 / $89 / $195 |
| Coffee or snack at the restaurant by the ferry terminal | $3–8 |
| Simple cooked meal | $15–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- YQX · Gander International
- About 4 h drive to Burgeo, then the ferry; check road and ferry times before booking.
- YYT · St. John's International
- Longer drive west to Burgeo; a car is the practical option.
Typical fares
- Burgeo → Ramea ferry, adult
- about $6 one way, about 1 h 30 min
- Burgeo → Ramea ferry, vehicle
- about $11 one way
- Ramea → Grey River ferry
- about 3 h, some Tuesdays and Thursdays only (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk. The island is about 3 km (1.9 mi) long and 1 km (0.6 mi) wide, and any destination is within walking distance. The ferry can carry vehicles and there are local roads, but a car is only useful for the drive to Burgeo, not on the island.Walk. The island is about 1.9 mi (3 km) long and 0.6 mi (1 km) wide, and any destination is within walking distance. The ferry can carry vehicles and there are local roads, but a car is only useful for the drive to Burgeo, not on the island.
See and do
Known for
- Wind-diesel generation plant (Canada's first, 2004)
- Northwest Head Lighthouse
- Ramea Heritage Centre
- Rock Island Music Festival, second weekend of August
- Seabird islands and bakeapple barrens
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Burgeo | Provincial ferry from Ramea, about 1 h 30 min | About 2 h |
| Grey River | Ferry on some Tuesday and Thursday runs, about 3 h | About 3 h |
| St. Lawrence | Drive from Burgeo on Route 480, then Route 220 | About 4–5 h |
| Francois | Ferry connections along the south coast | Check |
Sleep
- Main Street / ferry dock area
- Ramea Retreat (Eastern Outdoors) at 2 Main St: hostel beds, private rooms and rental houses; restaurant across from the terminal.
- D.O.T. Road
- Four Winds Inn, a five-bedroom B&B in an old house; three rooms with private bath.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Thank you |
| Where is the ferry terminal? | Where is the ferry terminal? |
| Is the ferry running today? | Is the ferry running today? |
| Can I pay by card? | Can I pay by card? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'Bonjour' first in Québec; avoid: Assuming everyone speaks English
- Queues: Line up and wait your turn; avoid: Pushing in
- Apologising: 'Sorry' is politeness, not admission of fault; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Canada vs US: Treat Canada as its own country; avoid: Calling Canadians American
- Indigenous culture: Buy from Indigenous-owned businesses and ask before photos at ceremonies; avoid: Wearing headdresses as costume
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry runs are weather-dependent and can be cancelled; build a spare day into any onward flight.
- Two or three sailings a day from Burgeo; Grey River service runs only on some Tuesdays and Thursdays — check the current schedule before you travel.
- Cell and internet coverage is limited; download offline maps and confirm your booking before boarding.
- Most food and lodging is seasonal and small: reserve ahead in summer and at festival time.
A small, quiet outport: the real risks are weather, ferry cancellations and thin services, not crime. Tell someone your walking plan, carry rain gear and do not rely on phone signal.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ramea yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Wind-diesel generation plant (Canada's first, 2004)
- Northwest Head Lighthouse
- Ramea Heritage Centre
- Rock Island Music Festival, second weekend of August
- Seabird islands and bakeapple barrens
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Newfoundland and Labrador ferry services: www.gov.nl.ca/tw/ferryservices/
- Wikivoyage: Ramea, revision 5264340 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5264340
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Ramea
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire and ambulance911
No embassies on the island; the nearest consulates are in St. John's or Halifax. US citizens: check the US embassy in Ottawa or the consulate in Halifax.
Print this card: ferry times and phone signal are unreliable on the south coast.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/ramea). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.