NEW YORK CITY. New York City is ramping up NYC Ferry for a high-demand summer: Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYCEDC announced the 2026 summer schedule and described it as the most ferry service in the system’s history, with more frequent trips, more connections across routes, and reservable seats on popular beach-bound service.
What’s changing this summer
- More trips on high-demand routes: the city says it is adding vessels and runs to reduce waits during peak summer periods.
- More connections: the schedule is designed to make transfers across the city easier.
- Beach weekends: Rockaway Reserve returns with guaranteed seats on select weekend and holiday trips between Wall Street/Pier 11 and Rockaway.
- Express beach option: the Rockaway Rocket is set to return in early July with direct service from Long Island City and Greenpoint through Labor Day.
- Summer branding: five custom-wrapped vessels are expected to circulate around the harbor with borough-themed designs through the season.
Why this matters for residents and visitors
NYC is positioning the expanded schedule as part of broader summer readiness with major events and a heavy tourism season. For New Yorkers, the practical benefit is simpler: shorter waits on crowded waterfront routes and a clearer way to plan weekend trips to beaches and summer destinations without guessing whether a boat will have space.
Planning tips
- If you need a guaranteed seat: check Rockaway Reserve availability before heading to Pier 11.
- If you want flexibility: non-reserved seats remain available on the Rockaway–Soundview route.
- If you’re going with a group: confirm the current schedule and route map first, because summer service patterns can differ from spring.
Source: NYC Mayor’s Office, May 19, 2026. Read the official release. Related: NYC Ferry schedules and updates.