If you’re craving a beach day this summer but can’t face public transit or traffic, consider hopping on a ferry! There are several ferries that will transport you to beaches near NYC.
Seastreak to Sandy Hook Beach, NJ
Departs from:
- Mondays–Fridays: East 35th Street, Pier 11/Wall Street
- Saturdays & Sundays: East 35th Street, Bay Ridge, Pier 11/Wall Street, Staten Island Ferry Terminal
About the ferry: There are daily Seastreak ferries between NYC and Sandy Hook beach. You can ride inside in the air conditioning or visit the open-air top deck. There are restrooms on board, as well as a full-service bar with cocktails, beer, wine, sodas, tea, coffee, and snacks.
About the beach: Located in Gateway National Park, Sandy Hook beach has lifeguards and snack bars through Labor Days. There are also restrooms on the beach. Sandy Hook beach also has parks, bike paths, fishing, and a historic lighthouse.
Cost: Round trip is $49/adult. Children 12 and under are $22. Special discount: $39/adult for the first departure of the day from NYC to Sandy Hook beach, offered 7 days a week! Buy tickets here.
Times:
- Mondays–Fridays: Ferries depart Pier 11/Wall Street at 7:40am & 11am.
- Saturdays & Sundays: Ferries depart Bay Ridge at 10am, and Pier 11/Wall Street at 8:35am, 10:30am, 11am, and 1:10pm.
- See all ferry times here.
Duration: The trip from NYC typically takes 30 minutes, but can vary depending on departure location, day, and time.
What else to know:
- Ferries to Sandy Hook Beach must be reserved in advance, and are only available as part of a round-trip originating in Manhattan.
- Complimentary shuttle service provided between the Sandy Hook Ferry Landing and several beaches within Sandy Hook: Gunnison Beach and Beach D. Shuttle buses wait for ferry riders upon arrival at Sandy Hook Beach and will bring you to the beach of your choice. They will also pick you up in the afternoon for your return to the ferry.
- Seastreak also has service to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantuck in Massachusetts! Learn more here.
NYC Ferry “Rockaway Reserve” to Rockaway Beach
Departs from:
- Pier 11/Wall Street
- Sunset Park/Brooklyn Army Terminal
About the ferry: NYC Ferry vessels have indoor seating, outdoor seating on the roof deck, plus a snack bar with drinks and food. There are bathrooms on board.
About the beach: Rockaway Beach is a great beach and popular in the summer. It also has several playground and water sprinklers for kids. There is also biking, fishing, and surfing! (The Rockaway are the only place in NYC where you can surf). Finally, Rockaway Beach is a destination for great food: tacos, burritos, burgers, ceviche, bagels, and more.
Cost:
- If you reserve your tickets ahead of time, they cost $10. You can reserve up to 2 weeks prior to your trip, but reserved tickets are not required! Most spots on ferries will be un-reserved riders ($4 regular fare).
- Like all NYC Ferries, children (under 44 inches) are free.
- Tickets can only be purchased through the NYC Ferry app.
Times:
- See full schedule of Summer 2024 times here.
Duration:
- 57 minutes from Pier 11/Wall Street
- 37 minutes from Sunset Park/Brooklyn Army Terminal
What else to know:
- Riders must be in the designated queue at least 10 minutes prior to boarding.
- Tickets become available for purchase starting 2 weeks before the scheduled departure date. Rockaway Reserve tickets can be purchased up until 15 minutes before the scheduled time of departure, pending availability.
Jacob Riis Park
If you’re willing to extend your trip a bit beyond your ferry ride, NYC Ferry offers a shuttle bus from the Rockaway landing to Jacob Riis Park. Just west of Rockaway Beach, Jacob Riis has a great beach, a playground, a small boardwalk, and much more. Learn about all their food vendors and bars here. Jacob Riis is also famous for its Art Deco bathhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Updated: July 22, 2024.
