Shelter Island is accessible only by ferry — no bridge, no tunnel, no alternative. This is precisely why the island is what it is. The five-minute crossing is a filter that has kept chain stores, through traffic, and accidental visitors off the island for as long as the ferries have been running. Understanding how the ferries work is the first practical step in getting here well.
There are two ferries: the North Ferry, connecting Greenport on the North Fork to the island's north end, and the South Ferry, connecting North Haven (just outside Sag Harbor on the South Fork) to the island's south end. Both run year-round. Both carry cars, bikes, and walk-on passengers.
The Two Ferries at a Glance
North Ferry
The North Ferry crosses from the foot of Main Street in Greenport to the north end of Shelter Island, landing near the Heights neighborhood. The crossing takes approximately five to seven minutes. The North Ferry runs more frequently than the South Ferry and is generally the preferred route for visitors coming from New York City via the North Fork or by train (the LIRR's Ronkonkoma/Greenport line terminates in Greenport, a short walk from the ferry dock). During peak season, ferries depart roughly every 10–15 minutes during daytime hours.
northferry.com — current schedules & pricing →South Ferry
The South Ferry runs from North Haven — a small hamlet just outside Sag Harbor on the South Fork — to the south end of Shelter Island. The crossing is slightly shorter than the North Ferry, at roughly five minutes. The South Ferry is the natural choice for visitors coming from the Hamptons corridor or Sag Harbor. It runs slightly less frequently than the North Ferry during off-peak hours, though during summer it maintains frequent departures throughout the day.
southferry.com — current schedules & pricing →Seasonal Hours
Both ferries operate year-round, with extended hours during summer. The following is a general guide; always verify current hours at northferry.com and southferry.com before traveling, as schedules are adjusted seasonally and can change.
| Season | Approximate First Departure | Approximate Last Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Memorial Day – Labor Day) | 5:45 AM | 11:45 PM (weekdays) / 1:45 AM (Fri–Sat) |
| Shoulder (April–May, Sept–Oct) | 6:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Off-Season (Nov–March) | 6:00 AM | 8:00 PM (reduced frequency) |
Hours above are approximate. Always confirm at northferry.com and southferry.com.
Pricing
Both ferries charge by vehicle length, with a separate lower rate for walk-on passengers and cyclists. As of recent seasons:
- Walk-on passenger (no vehicle): approximately $2–$4 each way
- Standard car (under 18 feet): approximately $15–$22 each way, driver included
- Larger vehicles: priced by length; SUVs and pickup trucks typically fall in the standard car category
- Bicycles: small fee, typically $1–$2
Pricing is subject to change. Check the ferry websites for current rates. Payment is accepted by cash and credit card at the dock. There are no advance reservations — both ferries operate on a first-come, first-served basis for all vehicles.
Peak Season Wait Times
The ferry wait is the main variable in traveling to and from Shelter Island in summer. On an ordinary Tuesday in June, you may drive straight on with no wait. On a Friday evening in late July, you may wait 45 minutes or more in a queue that stretches well down the road from the dock.
The predictable peak periods:
- Friday 4–8 PM (inbound): The heaviest queue of the week. The Greenport dock backs up significantly as weekend visitors converge. If you're arriving Friday evening, leave NYC earlier than you think you need to, or accept a wait.
- Sunday 2–6 PM (outbound): The return queue can be the longest wait of the week. The South Ferry in particular backs up as Hamptons-adjacent visitors all try to leave simultaneously. Starting your departure before noon on Sunday avoids most of this.
- Holiday weekends: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day all have extended queues in both directions. Plan an extra hour in either direction.
How to Minimize the Wait
Travel at off-peak times. Saturday morning arrivals and Monday departures are far less congested than the Friday/Sunday pattern. If your schedule allows any flexibility, using it here pays off.
Walk on or bike on. Walk-on and bike-on passengers bypass the vehicle queue entirely. If you're staying somewhere that has bikes or if the island is your destination and you don't need a car for it, leaving your vehicle in Greenport's public parking and walking on is the single most effective way to eliminate the wait. The island is small and navigable by bike or on foot; taxis and rideshares are available for the few trips where you'd need a car.
Use the North Ferry for NYC arrivals. The North Ferry runs more frequently during daytime hours and is directly served by the LIRR (Greenport is the terminal station on the Main Line). If you don't have a car, the train-to-ferry combination is both practical and, in summer traffic, often faster than driving.
Arrive early at the dock. Both ferries load in order. If you're in the queue when the boat leaves, you're on the next one — which in summer runs roughly every 10–20 minutes. Being the first car in the next queue is much better than being the last car that didn't make the previous boat.
The LIRR to Shelter Island
The Long Island Rail Road's Ronkonkoma Branch terminates in Greenport, directly adjacent to the North Ferry dock. The trip from Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes depending on the train and connections. For summer visitors without cars, this is a genuinely viable option — Greenport itself has a walkable village with restaurants and shops for any time you spend waiting, and the ferry boarding is a three-minute walk from the station platform.
From Shelter Island, a taxi or rideshare to wherever you're staying completes the journey. Glynn Gardens, like most island properties, is a short drive from the Heights ferry landing. Confirm transportation arrangements with your rental in advance if arriving by train.
Once You're on the Island
The North Ferry lands near the Shelter Island Heights neighborhood — restaurants, a small market, and the heights overlook are all walkable from the dock. The South Ferry lands near the south end of the island, with Route 114 running north toward the Heights and the rest of the island's destinations. Most rental properties are a 5–15 minute drive from either dock.
The ferry schedule shapes island life in ways that are initially surprising and eventually become part of the appeal. Knowing when the last boat runs changes how you think about an evening out in Sag Harbor or Greenport. Working within that constraint is part of what makes the island feel distinct from the mainland — and part of what keeps it that way.