Ferry arrives at Sailors Haven, part of Fire Island National Seashore
The ferry to Sailors Haven at Fire Island National Seashore departs from the Sayville Ferry Terminal at 41 River Road in Sayville on Long Island. Ferries also depart for Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, and Water Island, so make sure that you find the Sailors Haven / Sunken Forest slip. The trip to Fire Island takes about 20 minutes. The route is seasonal and usually runs from mid-May through the end of October. See the Sayville Ferry Service website for the latest fees and schedule.
Slip for the Sailors Haven ferry on Long Island
Tickets are purchased at the ferry office only—there are no online ticket sales. Cash or credit is acceptable (surcharge for credit cards). A ticket is valid for any time, so you don’t have to use it right then and there, and if you purchase a round-trip ticket you don’t have to come back on the same day. Furthermore, there is no boarding deadline, so if you can buy a ticket and hop on before they close the gate, you’re on your way to Sailors Haven. The only catch is that if you look suspicious, you might get searched, thus eliminating your chance to board just moments before the ferry departs. However, considering that you must park and lug your gear to the dock, I suggest being at the ferry no later than fifteen minutes prior to departure.
You can bring a cooler at no extra charge, but there are charges for items such as carts, wagons, extra luggage, and surf boards. No bikes are allowed on the ferry, but only because they are generally not allowed on the island boardwalks and the roads are too sandy to make biking practical. Also, no canoes or kayaks are allowed.
On a summer weekend, if you travel to Sailors Haven first thing in the morning, you’ll have no problem getting a seat on the boat, but as the day wears on the ferry gets much fuller. The second and third ferries of the day usually have the most passengers (the 2 PM ferry was packed). However, the lady at the ticket booth told me that the boats rarely fill up completely. There are six ferries a day on the weekends and holidays and five during the week.
Passengers riding the first ferry of the day to Sailors Haven, part of Fire Island National Seashore
There is a small parking area next to the ticket office, but this is for employees. You can pull in and unload your gear, but you must ultimately park at the huge parking lot directly across the street. There is a daily parking fee.
If you end up walking to Cherry Grove or Fire Island Pines, you can take the ferry back from there. I believe there is a small fee for not taking the same ferry that you arrived on—not exactly sure—which you pay in cash when boarding. If you plan on doing this, bring some dollar bills just in case.
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Last updated on October 5, 2024
