The visitor center is open daily 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Sunday.  Park facilities are closed on December 25.

Cumberland Island is located seven miles east of St. Marys, Georgia, and is only accessible by water. A concession operated passenger only, foot ferry departs from downtown St. Marys.  Reservations for the are recommended.  Find out how to make reservations by clicking here.

The ferry does not transport pets, bicycles, kayaks, or cars. Charter services are available through NPS concessionaire.

Visitors must check in at the Cumberland Island Visitor Center 30 minutes prior to departure.  Failure to check in will result in cancellation of reservation.

The ferry boat schedule is as follows:

Spring/Summer/Fall (March 1st to November 30th) 

The ferry departs St. Marys at 9:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., and departs from Cumberland Island at 10:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.

March 1 to September 30 - Wednesday through Saturday there is also a 2:45 p.m. departure from the island.

Winter (December 1st to February 28th)

The ferry does not operate on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and there is no 2:45 p.m. departure from the island. However, the two departure times from St. Marys and Cumberland Island remain the same.