Ferry Services Coming to Goderich This Summer, In Addition to Boat Cruises Along Shoreline
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An exciting and engaging boating experience is available from the Goderich Harbour whether customers book public cruises, private charters or now, with the newly added ferry service between Goderich and Bayfield.
A fan of boats since a young boy, Captain Mike Brill (Capt. Mike) got his first boat in 2007, and a year later began planning how to offer services of boat cruises to the public.
After operating boat cruises in different locations, it wasn’t until last summer that Capt. Mike brought his business to Goderich.
Exploring the beautiful shoreline of Lake Huron from the water has been made possible through Goderich Boat Cruises, introduced in summer 2025.
Starting last year closer to the middle of July was a late start for Goderich Boat Cruises, but after a few weeks it caught on. Capt. Mike and his crew offered harbour cruises during the Salt and Harvest Festival, which helped bring more recognition to the budding business.
“Our exposure and popularity only excelled upwards from there and Goderich Cruises is looking forward to a much greater season for the coming summer,” said Capt. Mike.
Last summer, the company completed 72 cruises despite starting almost halfway into the summer.
While the company has a regular line-up of public cruises – Harbour Cruises, Shoreline Cruises and Sunset Cruises – Goderich Boat Cruises also offers the opportunity to charter a 45-foot luxury yacht or hire Goderich Boat Cruises for private functions and celebrations.
“Our private charters enable people to enjoy the boat like a floating cottage,” Capt. Mike explained.
“While we start out with a short cruise, we park the boat on the lake and passengers can swim off the back of the boat, enjoy a picnic up on the bow, use our barbecue, or bring your own coolers with pre-made snacks and sandwiches.”
Passengers will also have access to a washroom while onboard.
According to Capt. Mike, the three cruise options are all popular, but the Sunset Cruise is a favourite as it offers a three-in-one element – a daylight cruise, watching the sunset from the boat, and finally finishing off with a short moonlit cruise while returning under the dark sky.
Public cruise experiences are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as holiday long weekends, lasting from a half hour to an hour out on the lake ranging in price from $30-65 per person.
Family-friendly private charter of the yacht is listed as $350 per hour, for up to six passengers. An additional $60 per person, and a maximum limit of 12 passengers.
Capt. Mike stressed that alcohol consumption while on board during a public cruise is strictly prohibited, yet private charter privileges include access to the cabin, swimming off the back of the boat, the use of the portable barbecue and consuming alcoholic beverages while onboard.
After a successful first season, Capt. Mike is expanding his services by introducing a ferry service between Goderich and Bayfield during the summer season.
With this new ferry service, passengers between Goderich and Bayfield can explore the beautiful shores of Lake Huron with a one and a half-hour cruise between the two towns, taking in the sites along the way.
According to Capt. Mike, once you arrive at the destination, customers will have the opportunity to explore local businesses, shops, restaurants or the beach during the five-hour layover, before making the trip back.
Capt. Mike and his crew came up with the ferry service idea because they received multiple inquiries from the public about travelling to and from Goderich.
After giving it some thought, Capt. Mike realised there has never been any type of water service by boat – especially a licensed passenger vessel – that has taken people back and forth between both towns.
It was decided it could be an exciting and new opportunity for the public at both ends to travel back and forth between Goderich and Bayfield, adding an alternative mode of transportation during the summer months while taking in the beautiful one-and-a-half-hour scenic view.
“The 18–20-minute drive between the towns is just that – a drive. Nothing too exciting, compared to a breathtaking one-and-a-half-hour ferry cruise, which doubles as a sightseeing cruise,” explained Capt. Mike.
“We will be offering an upgraded ticket option for the VIP Lounge Access, which will entitle passengers open access to the ship’s luxurious cabin,” said Capt. Mike.
For those who prefer the ways of the water to land, the ferry service will alternate starting locations between towns and will operate on Saturdays.
Departure time at 10 a.m. and return departure at 5 p.m.
In the event of unsafe lake and weather conditions, Capt. Mike will hold departures for up to one hour. If weather conditions do not improve and are deemed to still be unsafe, refunds will be offered. In the event the ferry cannot complete the return portion of the ferry service, a shuttle or taxi service will be provided to passengers at no extra cost.
A roundtrip ferry ticket costs $125 per person, yet one-way pricing is also available.
According to Capt. Mike, prices are discounted for the first 50 tickets sold before March 1.
For more information on cruise options, the ferry service and prices, please visit https://www.goderichcruises.com or call/text Capt. Mike at 647-881-7500.