Put-in-Bay Ferry Service

The Put-in-Bay Ferry, also known as the Jet Express ferry service, offers scenic cruises, summer-time music cruises, private charters and a pre-excursion bar. Thousands of visitors explore the Lake Erie Islands every summer on day trip visits, enjoying the Putinbay pool bars including the Blue Marlin Tiki Bar located at the Put-in-Bay Resort & Conference Center, thanks to their ferry service. Join us and see where the Lake Erie coast really begins!

The Jet Express was put into service to make the journey to Put-in-Bay from Port Clinton, Ohio. The Jet Express was the First Waterjet powered, all aluminum catamaran in service in North America, as well as the fastest ferry in North America.

The Jet Express makes the 12-mile trip to Put-in-Bay in less than 25 minutes, at speeds in excess of 42 miles per hour, from its downtown dock in Port Clinton. While on board you will experience the smoothest riding ferry on Lake Erie due to its catamaran design, and lightweight all aluminum construction.

The Jet Express II was put into service in 1992 to help the demand for service to Put-in-Bay. A little longer than the Jet Express, the Jet Express II was also designed to be utilized as an excursion vessel, to make special excursions to places such as Detroit, Toledo, and Canada. To better deal with larger crowds the Jet II has a larger loading area, and more restrooms to deal with longer cruises, as well as a small increase in passenger capacity.The Jet Expres II was re-powered in 2004 with state-of-the-art Deutz 620 diesel engines, with more power and better fuel economy, making it the most powerful vessel in our Fleet.

The Jet Express III was put into service in 2002 to help with heavy passenger counts during the weekends and holidays. Smaller than the Jet Express and Jet Express II, the Jet Express III is more economical to run in the spring and fall.

In 2005 the Jet Express III started service out of Sandusky with direct service to Put-in-Bay. In 2006, the Jet III began service to Kelleys Island, as well as Put-in-Bay. The Jet Express III offers service from Sandusky, to Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay, which allows for an easy inter-island service between the two most popular islands on Lake Erie.

With the addition of Jet Express IV, a variety of Excursion Adventure Cruises will be offered from the Black River Landing in Lorain. Jet Express IV will make Friday evening voyages into downtown Cleveland for Indians games and other exciting festivals and events. Hop aboard for an Island Hopping Adventure to Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island on summer Saturdays, or choose the relaxing Sunday Lazy-Day River Cruise and Wednesday Winetasting Sunset Cruise, offered throughout the summer.