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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · Canada

Grand Manan Island

Give it 2 nights minimum: the ferry eats half a day each way, and the island rewards a slow loop, not a day trip.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun–Sep
avoid Nov–Apr (ferry weather delays, most services closed)
Airports
YSJ · BGR
Nights
2–3
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

Grand Manan is a working fishing island in the Bay of Fundy, 32 km south of Blacks Harbour, with 91 m cliffs, whale-watching water and a permanent population of about 2,565. There is no bridge: you arrive by car ferry, and the return sailing must be paid for. Two nights covers the museum, Swallow Tail lighthouse, Anchorage Provincial Park and one boat trip; three nights lets you add the western shore and Dark Harbour.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Grand Manan Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (adult)C$10 (≈ US$8)
  • Budget bedCampsite (tent), a night, per personC$25 (≈ US$19)
  • Mid-range bedCabin or trailer, a night, per roomC$120 (≈ US$90)
  • High-end bedCabin or trailer, a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Swallow Tail LighthouseBay of Fundy tides and whale-watchingAnchorage Provincial ParkSmoked herring and fishing villages
Airports
YSJ Saint John Airport (Closest commercial airport; drive to Blacks Harbour for the ferry, about 1 h) · BGR Bangor International (Maine, US) (Alternative for US arrivals; cross the border and drive to Blacks Harbour)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Grand Manan Island: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−1°C

−9°C

12 rd

Feb

0°C

−9°C

10 rd

Mar

4°C

−4°C

11 rd

Apr

9°C

1°C

11 rd

May

14°C

5°C

12 rd

Jun

18°C

9°C

11 rd

Jul

21°C

12°C

10 rd

Aug

21°C

13°C

9 rd

Sep

18°C

11°C

9 rd

Oct

13°C

6°C

11 rd

Nov

8°C

2°C

12 rd

Dec

2°C

−5°C

13 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The island is 24 km long with one main road (Route 776) down the east side. A car on the ferry is the practical choice; without one you rely on a private taxi from Grand Harbour or scooter rental in North Head. The western shore has no through road.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

White Head Island

go

Door to door: About 1.5–2 h round trip

Small ferry from Ingalls Head

Tiny settlement, few services; check the sailing before you go.

Machias Seal Island

caution

Door to door: Half day

Tour boat from Grand Manan

Bird sanctuary with very limited landings; book well ahead.

Blacks Harbour and mainland New Brunswick

skip

Door to door: About 2 h

Car ferry, about 1.5 h

Not a day trip — the crossing plus return eats the day.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

North Head

Ferry terminal, Swallow Tail lighthouse and most dining; best for a first night without a car.

Grand Harbour

Island centre: museum, takeout, grocery; good base for the southern half.

Castalia and Seal Cove

Quieter, marsh and birdwatching country; needs a car.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Mid
C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
High
C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Inn room1 × 2 nights × C$124C$248
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$160C$640
Car ferry, return (vehicle plus driver)1 × C$60 · checkC$60
Whale-watching boat trip2 × C$90 · checkC$180
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25C$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$118
Trip total≈ C$324 per person per day, bed includedC$1,296≈ US$950

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; ferry and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
Fish and chips or a takeout mealC$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
Museum entry (adult)C$10 (≈ US$8)
Art gallery entry (adult)C$2 (≈ US$2)
Campsite per nightC$25–43 (≈ US$19–35)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe; the real risks are ferry cancellations, fog on the water and cold Bay of Fundy water — never swim from the cliffs.
  • The ferry to the island is free; you pay only on the return sailing — keep the ticket.
  • Sailings cancel in high wind and fog: build a buffer day before a flight.
  • Most restaurants and the museum shut outside Jun–Sep; check before you book.
  • Cell coverage is patchy on the western side and at Dark Harbour.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Poison control (Canada)
1-844-764-7669

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Grand Manan IslandGrand Manan Island

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Poison control (Canada)1-844-764-7669

Embassy

No embassies on the island; the US consulate is in Halifax and most others are in Ottawa or Halifax (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Blacks Harbour → Grand Manan, car ferry: about 1.5 h; free outbound, pay on return (check)
  • Taxi, Grand Harbour to North Head: short hop, ask the fare first (check)
  • Whale-watching trip: about C$90 (≈ US$70) per person (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the ferry terminal? — Where is the ferry terminal?
  • How much is it? — How much is it?

Ferry times change with the season — confirm the day before you travel.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Grand Manan Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (ferry weather delays, most services closed) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources