(click here to find location on the map)
The ferry to Cottel Island and St. Brendan's leaves from Burnside on the Eastport Peninsula. Burnside is about 8 km north of Eastport. From the Trans Canada, follow the signs for Eastport. The road runs through Terra Nova National Park. When you get to Eastport, follow the signs for the Saint Brendan's Ferry.
As you drive into Burnside the ferry dock is on your right. There are no reservations, you just line up. We were there in September and it was no problem, there were only 2 cars and a tractor trailer on the ferry. In the summer you may want to get there an hour early.
MV Grace Sparks does the St. Brendan's run. It's sister ship MV Hazel McIsaaic does the Little Bay Islands run.
You pay on the ferry on the return trip. I think the return trip was about $25.00. The run takes about an hour. You pass several large islands including; Morris Island and Willis Island. You will see some summer cabins on the way. We were told that most of the larger islands have moose. If you go in the summer months, you may see whales.
We had a nice chat with folks on the way over that were going home for a visit. They told us quite a bit about the island and gave us some ideas of where to explore. On the way back we had a nice chat with a trucker that takes his rig on the ferry almost every day to pick up the catch from St. Brendan's.
(click photos to enlarge)
Before you head to Newfoundland, you may want to consider one or more of the great field guides that are available. We have done short reviews of the following:
