Driving:There are numerous combinations of driving routes to get to Grand Manan.  Remember to co-ordinate your travel with the ferry schedule.  Remember New Brunswick is on Atlantic Time - one hour ahead of Eastern Time. The more common are: 

Entering New Brunswick from Maine: Visitors from the United States may enjoy the scenic drive up the coast of Maine on Route 1, or may go directly along Route 95 to Bangor, then taking Route 9 to Calais.  Crossing the border from Calais, Maine, to St. Stephen, New Brunswick, the visitor continues on Route 1, east towards St. George and Saint John (40 kilometres or 25 miles).  About 6.5 kilomtres (4 miles) past St. George, a well marked right turn shows the route (Exit 60) to Blacks Harbour and the Grand Manan Ferry Terminal, about eight kilometre or five mile drive. 

Entering New Brunswick from Quebec: Visitors entering New Brunswick from Quebec will enjoy the drive down the Saint John River Valley on the Trans Canada Highway (Route 2).  Just before crossing the Saint John River at Fredericton, a right turn onto Route 7 will lead to Saint John.  On the outskirts of the city, Route 7 connects with Route 1 West - St. Stephen.  Heading west about 56 kilomtres (35 miles), a well marked left turn (Exit 60) will show the way to Blacks Harbour. 

Entering New Brunswick from Amherst, Nova Scotia: Visitors entering New Brunswick from Nova Scotia, should turn off the Trans Canada Highway (Route 2) at Sussex, and stay on Route 1 through Saint John to the Blacks Harbour turnoff, as described above. 
Entering New Brunswick from Digby, Nova Scotia: Visitors travelling across the Bay of  Fundy from Digby, Nova Scotia will take the ferry to Saint John.  Leaving the ferry terminal follow Route 1 west toward St. Stephen, turning off at the Blacks Harbour, Grand Manan exit as described above. 

Entering New Brunswick from Prince Edward Island: Visitors entering New Brunswick from Prince Edward Island across the Confederation Bridge can take the Trans Canada Route 16 to Port Elgin then Route 15 to the Trans Canada Route 2 near Moncton.  Turn off Route 2 at Sussex onto Route 1 through Saint John to the Blacks Harbour, Grand Manan exit as described above. 

Travelling from Ontario:  There are many options including travelling through Quebec or through the United States as described above.

Flying: The closest Canadian airport is Saint John, New Brunswick (not to be confused with St. John's, Newfoundland) which is a one hour drive to the ferry terminal in Blacks Harbour (see above).  Connecting Canadian international airports include Moncton, NB, Halifax, NS, Montreal, Que, Toronto, ON.  Car rentals are available at all airports.  Driving distances are included in the table above for many locations. Taxis from Saint John to the ferry terminal cost at least $50. 

The closest U.S. airport is Bangor, ME, at least a 2.5-3 hour drive to the ferry terminal in Blacks Harbour.  Boston is a major connecting airport with U.S. and international flights. Car rentals are available at all airports.  Driving distances are in the table above for many locations. 

Bus:Contact SMT Eastern Ltd. for schedules and fares 1-800-567-5151.  The bus stop nearest to the ferry terminal is PENNFIELD, New Brunswick.  Arrangements have to be made to get from the bus stop to the ferry terminal.  Because the local taxi service changes from time to time it is best to call the Blacks Harbour Village Manager 506 456 4870 for any information they may have. 

Train:  The closest VIA station is Moncton, New Brunswick but a shuttle bus is offered from Moncton to Saint John. For more information about schedules and rates, contact VIA at 1-800-561-3952.  Arrangements to get to the ferry terminal from Saint John are required.  Taxis cost at least $50.  Car rentals are available in Saint John.

• 1839 - Packet service started between St. Andrew's and Woodwards Cove. 
• 1884 - MV FLUSHING began service operated by Grand Manan Steamboat Co. Ltd. 
• 1889 - MV JOHN CANN and MV LATOUR fill in service. 
• 1900 - MV AURORA began service, until 1910 when it was condemned and sent to be refitted. It was back in service in 1911, renamed MV GRAND MANAN. 
• 1929 - Eastern Canada Coastal Steamship Ltd. bought Grand Manan Steamboat Co. Ltd. 
• 1930 - MV GRAND MANAN II (The Iron Duke) was built and replaced MV GRAND MANAN (drive-on, drive-off capability for 12 cars). 
• 1940 - MVGRAND MANAN II sold and replaced by a number of vessels including fishing boats, tugboat MV MOHAWK, and MV KEITH CANN, MV ROBERT CANN, MV ELIZABETH CANN which carried only one car on their deck hatch.
• 1945 - Eastern Canada Coastal Steamships Ltd. replaced with Saint John Marine Transport Ltd. and MV GRAND MANAN III began service (formerly HMCS ELK), six and later nine cars, loaded by winch, and up to 50 passengers. 
• 1965 - Drive-on, drive-off service restored to the island when the S.S. Grand Manan began its route. 

•  1978 - MV LADY MENANE added for summer service, 24 cars and 80 passengers.
• 1990 - MV GRAND MANAN V began service, 64 cars and 300 passengers; MV LADY MENANE sold and MV GRAND MANAN refitted for summer service only; Coastal Transport Ltd. operates ferry service. 
• 1999 - New ferry wharf built at North Head terminal.  Began using it February 2000. 
• 2000, 2002 - MV NADA employed as second ferry during refit of MV GRAND MANAN V
• 2004 - MV TRANSGULF (formerly the MV NADA) employed as second ferry during refit of MV GRAND MANAN V

• pre 1950's - Various arrangements could be made with the mail carrier or other shipping interests to come and go from White Head. Children attending school beyond grade 8 left and boarded with families on G.M. during the school year. 
• 1952-1963 - Stewart Morse began regular passenger service, primarily for school children. 
• 1964-1977 - Lester Carroll carried passengers aboard the M.V. SOJOURNER and also a few cars in a barge towed alongside. 

1977 - S.S. LADY WHITE HEAD began regular ferry service; owned by the province and now operated by Coastal Transport Ltd.