A. Chappy ferry gear will be available soon on the website. Stay tuned.
A. During July and August, the Chappy ferry gets very busy. To help move passengers and bikes onto the ferry efficiently, a deckhand will walk off the ferry, collect tickets and fares, then direct passengers and bikes onto the ferry after the first two cars have driven aboard. In the off-season, when things are more quiet, passengers and bike riders pay on the boat.
Cars line up for the ferry on Daggett Street (please see our Directions page). If the line is long, a sales person may take tickets and fares before your vehicle boards the ferry. If the line is short, a deckhand will more likely take your ticket or fare after you drive on the boat.
Car, bike and passenger fares cover the round-trip to Chappaquiddick and back.
A. The ferry does not take credit or debit cards. Payment is by Island check or cash only. There are automatic teller machines in several locations in town, including three banks on Main Street.
A. The last ferry is at midnight on the summer schedule. The last ferry is at 11:15 p.m. on the off-season schedule. More information about the schedules can be found HERE
A. The first run every day is at 6:30 a.m., year-round.
A. The ferry offers a 6:00 a.m. trip from Chappaquiddick Island only for an extra $25. To schedule an early trip you must notify the captain aboard one of the ferries before 5:00 p.m. on the day before your trip. The additional fee of $25 is paid in advance and is non-refundable.
A. CALL 911 IF ON A LANDLINE TELEPHONE. CALL 508-693-1212 IF ON A CELL PHONE.
The Communications Center will notify the appropriate emergency personnel as well as the ferry operator. Chappaquiddick has several EMTs in residence who will be notified immediately. The Edgartown Fire Department maintains a firehouse on Chappaquiddick with two fully equipped fire trucks, which are operated by a staff of trained Chappaquiddick residents. There is an emergency phone at the front of the fire house.
(Missing the last ferry run because you stayed too late on the Vineyard or Chappy side does not qualify as an emergency.)
A. Yes, the Chappy ferry offers discount ticket books. Please see the Fares section of this web site for information or click HERE
A. In general, the length of the ferry line depends on the time of day. The lines are longest from Edgartown going to Chappaquiddick in the morning. The lines are longest from Chappaquiddick going back to Edgartown in the afternoon.
A. Some vehicles go to the front of the waiting line, among them emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and fire personnel in other cars. Traditionally, the U.S. Mail, the school bus and visiting nurses cut the line. Large vehicles, which cause congestion and exhaust on Simpson’s Lane and Daggett Street, are allowed to cut the line on the Edgartown side only. These vehicles are not permitted to cut the line when returning from Chappaquiddick, since there is sufficient space in the waiting line adjacent to Chappaquiddick Road. According to an agreement with homeowners on Chappaquiddick, both UPS and Fed-Ex delivery vans are allowed to cut the line in both directions.
A. The Chappy ferry is not affiliated with the Falmouth ferry, known as the Pied Piper, which makes daily scheduled runs between Memorial Wharf on the Edgartown side and Falmouth during the spring, summer and fall. Schedules for the Falmouth ferry are available on the wharf. The Chappy ferry cannot ask the Falmouth ferry to wait for you. Please plan ahead and leave plenty of time.
A. Trailers can ride the ferry within 2 hours of high tide. The captain has the discretion to turn away low trailers due to fluctuations in tide height. All loaded trailers need weight slip to board the ferry.
Winter: Continuous operation from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm, then 11:00 pm to 11:15 pm
Summer: 6:30 a.m.– midnight
On call after hours for emergencies only
Summer Schedule: starts on the Thursday before Memorial Day and continues through the Saturday in mid October when the MV Derby ends.
Winter Schedule: starts on the Sunday after the MV Derby ends and continues through the Wednesday before Memorial Day.
