Strangford Ferry

A large white and blue ferry boat with an orange roof on a calm harbor, with smaller boats floating nearby, and a green hillside with houses in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Sign promoting the Strangford Ferry with a photograph of a ferry boat on water and a coastal town in the background.

The Strangford Ferry operates daily between Portaferry and Strangford, providing a scenic and efficient crossing of beautiful Strangford Lough.

Ferry Schedule & Service

  • Operates every day of the year except Christmas Day

  • Sailings generally depart every 30 minutes

  • Additional sailings often run at quarter past and quarter to the hour during busy periods

  • Crossing time is approximately 6–10 minutes, offering a much quicker alternative to travelling around the lough by road

Ticketing & Access

  • Fare information and service updates are available on the official ferry website

  • Larger groups travelling with more than 10 vehicles are advised to contact the ferry terminal in advance to help avoid congestion

  • Certain harbour areas are restricted to authorised vehicles only

A Scenic Experience

The crossing offers spectacular views across Strangford Lough, an area renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and marine wildlife. Visitors may spot:

  • Seals

  • Seabirds

  • Coastal wildlife

  • Historic shoreline scenery

The lough is part of a protected Marine Nature Reserve, making the ferry journey not just convenient, but a memorable experience in itself.