Fall Is A Wonderful Season To Visit Cumberland Island
With summer’s hottest temperatures now past, fall is a great season to visit Georgia’s largest barrier island. Cumberland Island National Seashore’s ferry times during October and November 2020 are below.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ferry passengers are required to wear face coverings,“because 6-foot of distance cannot always be maintained on the vessel,” according to the National Seashore’s website. Also, the ferry is operating at 2/3 capacity (up to 100 passengers plus crew). Some Cumberland Island tours remain closed, including the van tours (see more further below).
No Ferry Between Amelia & Cumberland
While Cumberland Island is in very close proximity to Amelia Island, there is no public ferry service between Amelia Island and Cumberland Island National Seashore. (Only guests of the Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island have access to a daily private ferry directly from the Fernandina Harbor Marina to Cumberland). The National Seashore’s ferry service operates seven days a week during October and November 2020, between St. Marys, GA and Cumberland Island, GA.
Cumberland Island Ferry Fall 2020 Schedule
The ferry ride is 45-minutes long. See ferry times below:
Oct. 1, 2020 To Nov. 30, 2020 (Daily)
Leave St. Marys
Arrive Cumberland
Leave Cumberland
Arrive St. Marys
9 am
9:45 am
10:15 am
11 am
11:45 am
12:30 pm
4:45 pm
5:30 pm
Face coverings required on ferry. A 2:45 pm ferry departing Cumberland Island is available on OCTOBER WEEKENDS.
Winter Ferry Dec. 1, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021
Note that beginning December 1, 2020, the Cumberland Island National Seashore winter ferry does not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The winter ferry schedule (Dec. 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021), operates only five days a week. The ferry times are the same as the fall schedule above from Thursdays through Mondays.
Arrive An Hour Before Ferry Time
When planning a trip to Cumberland Island National Seashore, be sure to add an extra hour for catching the ferry. Both the National Park and its ferry concessioner advise reservation holders to arrive to the Cumberland Island Visitors Center in St. Marys, GA one hour BEFORE scheduled ferry departure time. There are no refunds if you miss the ferry. Also, ferry reservations “may be given to walk-on passengers” if you’re late.
Some Cumberland Island Tours Remain Closed
With public health in mind, the National Park Service indicates the following tours and facilities on Cumberland Island remain closed due to the pandemic:
The Mainland Museum, 129 Osborne St., St. Marys
Lands and Legacies Van Tours
Plum Orchard Mansion historic home tours
On-site and/or in-classroom education programming
How Much Do Cumberland Island Ferry Tickets Cost?
The cost for a round trip Cumberland Island ferry ticket is $34.10 per adult (with taxes and fees). Plus a $10 park entry fee per adult. Ferry tickets can be purchased online at the concessioner’s Cumberland Island Ferry website. For further information about the island or camping, call the Cumberland Island National Park Visitors Center at (912) 882-4336.
