Dogs Are Allowed on Many Ferries With Limits

Dogs are allowed on many ferries, but where yours can ride depends on the operator and route. My position after years of counseling travelers: pick the crossing around your dog, not the schedule around you.

Expectation first: most ferries allow dogs, almost none allow a dog to roam freely, and the key split is whether your dog must stay in the car, stay on an outer deck, or can use a designated pet area.

Start with these 4 booking questions

• Where must dogs stay? In the vehicle, on an outer deck on leash, in a pet lounge, or in an onboard kennel.
• Can you visit the car deck during sailing? Many large vehicle ferries lock it until docking.
• What paperwork and gear are required? Leash type, carrier rules, vaccination proof, and whether pets need a separate reservation.
• What can your dog tolerate for this length of crossing? A calm 30-minute hop is different from open water for 2 hours.

Run that checklist for every operator, even if you have ridden before. Rules change by vessel, season, and sailing time.

The lockout rule that surprises first-timers

This is the detail that derails trips. On many vehicle ferries, passengers must leave the car deck after parking and cannot return until docking for safety reasons.

That works well for a settled dog resting in a cool car. It does not work for a heat-sensitive dog, a senior who needs bathroom breaks, or a dog with separation distress.

Calvin learned this while weighing a summer crossing with Lukas, his 4-year-old neutered male Saint Bernard mix from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lukas paces and drools when left alone in a new place, and the sailing was nearly 2 hours with no car-deck access. Calvin switched to a sailing that allowed dogs on leash on the outer deck with him.

Small dogs do not get an automatic pass.

What car, deck, and pet space actually allow

Operators use similar words for different setups. Read for location, not the label.

Stay in the vehicle. Your dog remains in your car for the whole sailing. Best for dogs who settle well in the car and for short, cool-weather crossings. In practice, vets often see trouble here in warm months, when a parked car can heat fast even with windows cracked.

Outer deck on leash. You stay with your dog on a specified open deck. Bring a short, non-retractable leash, a well-fitted harness, and a familiar mat for footing. This is the option I counsel most often for healthy adult dogs when it is offered, because you can monitor behavior, offer water, and keep handling low-stress.

Designated pet lounge, cabin, or kennel. Some routes offer pet-friendly cabins, reserved pet seating, or onboard kennels. These often require advance booking, a crate or carrier, and proof of vaccination. BC Ferries outlines this tiered approach, with options that vary by vessel including staying in the vehicle, using upper-deck pet areas, and booking pet-friendly spaces.

Foot passengers usually have fewer choices than vehicle passengers. If you are walking on, confirm where dogs wait during boarding and whether a carrier is required indoors.

Booking in an order that prevents dock-day stress

Do not book the cheapest time and read the pet page later. Use this order instead.

1. Find the operator’s current pet page and save the sailing you want. Look for car-deck access, deck rules, and any size or carrier language.
2. Choose vehicle versus walk-on based on your dog. A nervous dog often does better staying with you than alone in a car hold.
3. Reserve the pet spot if one is separate. Pet cabins and kennels sell out faster than human seats on popular routes.
4. Prep for motion and stress. Withhold a large meal 3 to 4 hours before boarding, bring water and a familiar mat, and plan a long sniff walk beforehand.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends a similar baseline for any pet travel: secure restraint, identification, health records, and planning for food, water, and bathroom needs. For ferries, add wind, engine noise, slippery decks, and gulls. A harness may help support control on a moving deck better than a collar alone.

Final call: stay with your dog when you can

If you have a choice, choose a crossing where you can stay with your dog on deck or in a pet area.

I concede the alternative wins when your dog truly rests better in a familiar car, the crossing is short, and the weather is cool. Then staying in the vehicle is calmer than a busy deck.

It stops winning on long sailings, hot days, for brachycephalic breeds, seniors, puppies still building bladder control, and for any dog with anxiety, motion sickness, or a history of overheating. For those dogs, change the route or travel at a cooler hour.

What sailing are you considering, and where would your dog have to stay for the whole ride?

For more trip logistics, see Ferry and Boat Travel With Your Dog: What Actually Works and Beach Trips With Your Dog: Safety and Etiquette. If your trip connects to a flight, check Airline Pet Policies: What to Check Before You Book.