Getting to the Lake Erie islands from Huron
Three different ferries serve the islands and they are not interchangeable — one is passengers only, two carry cars, and they leave from three different towns. The closest dock to Huron is the Jet Express in Sandusky.
- Closest dock Sandusky, ~20 min
- Cars Catawba or Marblehead only
- Crossing About 20 minutes
Getting to the Lake Erie islands from Huron
Three ferry operators serve the Lake Erie islands, from three different mainland towns. The closest to Huron is the Jet Express in Sandusky, about twenty minutes away, but it carries passengers only — if you want your car on the island you need Catawba or Marblehead instead.
Put-in-Bay on South Bass is the busy one; Kelleys Island is quieter and is the largest American freshwater island in Lake Erie. Fares and timetables change through the season and between operators, so book through the ferry company rather than relying on a figure printed anywhere else.
The Lake Erie islands in and around Huron
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Jet Express — Sandusky dock
About 20 minutes from Huron
Fast passenger catamarans running to Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island and Cedar Point, with passenger cabins, open-air sun decks and late-night services in high season. No vehicles. Roughly May to October, weather permitting. Parking in the Sandusky public garage is free, which the Port Clinton departure point is not. This is the closest island ferry to Huron.
- Closest dock to Huron
- Passengers only
- Free parking in Sandusky
- Roughly May to October
- Accessible
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Miller Ferry — Catawba Point
About 40 minutes from Huron
The only ferry that will carry your car to Put-in-Bay. About eighteen to twenty minutes across to South Bass, arriving at Lime Kiln Dock roughly two miles from the village, and around forty minutes to Middle Bass. Every half hour through the summer. Parking at Catawba is free across five large lots, day and overnight.
- Carries vehicles
- ~20 minute crossing
- Every half hour in summer
- Free parking at Catawba
- Vehicle reservations required
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Kelleys Island Ferry — Marblehead
About 40 minutes from Huron
Carries vehicles, crosses in about twenty minutes, and runs year-round weather permitting — the only island service that does. Boarding is first come, first served even if you have bought a ticket online.
- Carries vehicles
- ~20 minute crossing
- Year-round, weather permitting
- Boarding is first come, first served
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Kelleys Island
Reached from Marblehead or by Jet Express
Roughly four miles by two, and the largest American freshwater island in Lake Erie. About 150 people live here year-round and around 1,500 in summer, with nine restaurants open in season. The Glacial Grooves are a National Natural Landmark: 400 feet of limestone gouged out by ice-age glaciers, 35 feet across and up to 15 feet deep, with a looping path of steps and footbridges around the rim. The state park has 129 campsites and a free boat launch.
- Largest US freshwater island on Lake Erie
- Glacial Grooves landmark
- 129 campsites, free launch
- Golf cart rentals on the island
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Put-in-Bay — South Bass Island
Reached from Catawba or by Jet Express
The busiest of the islands, and the one most people mean when they say they are going out for the day. Heineman’s Winery has been running since 1888 and sits above Crystal Cave, discovered beneath it in 1897 and lined with celestite crystals up to three feet across — often described as the world’s largest geode. Cave tours run from spring into late October.
- Winery since 1888
- Crystal Cave tours, spring to late October
- Perry’s Memorial observation deck closed through 2027
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Heineman’s Winery and Crystal Cave
Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island
The winery has run since 1888 and survived Prohibition selling cave tours and grape juice. Crystal Cave was found underneath it in 1897 and is lined with celestite crystals eight to eighteen inches long, some up to three feet across — often described as the world’s largest geode. The combined cave and wine cellar tour comes with a five-ounce drink. Tours run spring through to late October.
- Winery since 1888
- Celestite crystals up to 3 ft
- Cave and cellar tour with a drink
- About $14 adult, $8 child 6–11 — confirm current price
- Spring to late October only
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Middle Bass Island
Reached by Miller Ferry
Quieter again than South Bass, about forty minutes out of Catawba on the Miller Ferry. Hazards Microbrewery at St. Hazard’s Resort runs seasonally.
- ~40 minutes from Catawba
- Much quieter than Put-in-Bay
Before you go
Worth knowing first.
Which ferry
Passengers only and closest to Huron: Jet Express from Sandusky. Car to Put-in-Bay: Miller Ferry from Catawba. Car to Kelleys Island, any time of year: Kelleys Island Ferry from Marblehead.
Fares and timetables
These move between seasons and operators, and several of the figures circulating online are years out of date. Book directly with the ferry company.
Reservations
Miller Ferry requires a reservation for a vehicle, taken up to two weeks ahead. The Kelleys Island Ferry boards first come, first served even with an online ticket.
Perry’s Victory Memorial
The observation deck at Put-in-Bay is closed through 2026–27 for rehabilitation works. Plenty of travel content still promises the view from the top — it is not available.
FAQ
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The Lake Erie islands
How do you get to Put-in-Bay from Huron, Ohio?
Two ways. The Jet Express from Sandusky, about twenty minutes from Huron, carries passengers only and crosses in about thirty minutes from Port Clinton. The Miller Ferry from Catawba Point, about forty minutes from Huron, is the only one that will take your car, and crosses in about eighteen to twenty minutes.
Which Lake Erie ferry carries cars?
The Miller Ferry from Catawba Point carries vehicles to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass. The Kelleys Island Ferry from Marblehead carries vehicles to Kelleys Island. The Jet Express is passengers only.
Which ferry runs all year?
The Kelleys Island Ferry from Marblehead runs year-round, weather permitting. The Jet Express runs roughly May to October, and the Miller Ferry runs from around mid-March with a reduced autumn timetable.
How long is the crossing to the Lake Erie islands?
About twenty minutes in most cases — the Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay is roughly eighteen to twenty minutes, and the Kelleys Island Ferry is about twenty. Middle Bass is around forty minutes from Catawba.
Keep exploring
More things to do around Huron.
Somewhere to come back to
Stay twenty minutes
from all of it.
Our vacation homes are in Huron itself — walk to the beach,
launch a boat for nothing, and be at Cedar Point before it opens.
See you by the lake.