Welcome to the CAT Ferry from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Canada to Maine USA! Let’s go on a full tour and discover this ferry!

On this trip, from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Portland, Maine we decided to take The CAT Ferry (UPDATE: the ferry now goes between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, Maine). If you are thinking of bringing your family to Maine there is no better choice than The CAT ferry. It’s a quick and beautiful trip on the CAT and there’s no better way to get between Nova Scotia and Maine. It also happens to be so much quicker than driving around.

The CAT Ferry

The name of CAT ferry is short for catamaran and will take you between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in just 3.5 hours. The ferry goes 30 knots per hour which is 55 kilometres per hour. At half the driving time, you’ll have even more of an opportunity to relax and enjoy the amazing ocean view. On the ferry, we were told that there is a possibility of seeing some dolphins and whales which is exciting. With plenty of onboard amenities and friendly staff and crew, the journey feels fast and will be something you’ll remember for a long time.

Restaurants and Cafés

On the ferry, there are various dining areas such as Sip Café, Scotia Market Cafeteria, and Forchu Lounge, where there is a wide selection of food to pick from. Starting from the back of the boat, you can find a cafe where you can get coffee, snacks and gelato. In the middle of the boat, you can get all kinds of sandwiches. While in the front of the boat, is a little fancier, you can find maritime food and drinks. We decided to go for a pizza.

Do you have your hotels in Nova Scotia and Maine booked? We typically use Booking.com for most of our travel accommodations:

Booking.com

*One of the cafes on board the CAT ferry*

Entertainment

If you’re travelling with kids you can keep them entertained at the kids’ play area and movie lounges. They also have some board games, trivia and lots of fun things to enjoy. You can fuel up for the journey ahead at one of the onboard dining areas. Moreover, you’ll get to immerse yourself in fun Maritime culture with music, entertainment, food, wine, and beer samplings. If you’re travelling with pets, bring your furry friends along for the ride since The CAT has a kennel area with a limited capacity for cats and dogs.

Plan your trip

Our ride on the high-speed CAT ferry was a really pleasant experience. The staff were extremely friendly people and the food and drinks were great on board as well. The boat itself is just really modern. If you're prone to seasickness you should be prepared in advance. Also, it is a little bit chilly so you should bring a sweater, a pair of pants and if you like to take a little nap you can bring a blanket too. But otherwise, pretty much everything is on board to keep you entertained and fed during your quick journey.