Port information & tips for Battle Harbour (Labrador)
Battle Harbour is a fascinating National Historic District on the rugged coast of Labrador that transports visitors back to the heyday of the 19th-century Atlantic fishing industry. The authentically restored island impresses with its pristine nature and an atmosphere of complete tranquility in the middle of the North Atlantic. Special highlights include the historic Flour Store Warehouse with its exciting exhibition, the picturesque St. James the Apostle Church, and the coastal paths offering expansive views of passing icebergs. Ships dock at the central Battle Harbour Wharf, and thanks to its location, the entire historic village center and all sights can be easily explored on foot within a few minutes.
Battle Harbour, as a remote National Historic Site on Battle Island off the coast of Labrador, offers a unique travel experience that requires careful planning. Arrival is via Mary's Harbour on the mainland, from where a passenger ferry takes you to the historic village.
Airplane
For traveling to Labrador from the DACH region, we recommend a flight to the regional airports Happy Valley-Goose Bay (YYR) or Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon (YBX), which is located across the border in Québec and is closer to Mary's Harbour. Direct flights from European metropolises are usually available via major Canadian hubs such as Toronto (YYZ), Montréal (YUL), or Halifax (YHZ) with connecting flights. Due to the long flight times and the remote location, plan to arrive at least one day before the scheduled ferry departure.
Travel to the Mary's Harbour Ferry Terminal
From Happy Valley-Goose Bay (YYR), you can reach Mary's Harbour in about 5.5 hours by rental car via Route NL 500 and then NL 510. Alternatively, from Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon (YBX), Route NL 510 leads directly to Mary's Harbour, a drive that takes around 3 hours. Secure parking is available in Mary's Harbour, as vehicles cannot be taken to Battle Island. There is no direct bus connection in this region, so a rental car is the most flexible option.
Ferry & Pre-Stay
The crossing from Mary's Harbour to Battle Harbour takes about one hour by passenger ferry. The ferry departs daily at 11:00 AM, with arrival at the visitor center recommended by 10:30 AM at the latest. Due to ferry times and the remote location, an overnight stay in Mary's Harbour or a nearby town on the day before embarkation is strongly advised. Please also note the luggage restriction of one main piece of luggage (max. 13.6 kg) and one small piece of hand luggage per person, as transport on the island is done manually.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time – depending on the shipping company and destination – is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
