New Yorkers eager to hit the beach this Independence Day weekend have a refreshed travel option with the return of the Rockaway Rocket ferry service, set to kick off on July 4. As reported by Gothamist, the service offers express trips to Rockaway Beach from Long Island City and Greenpoint for a one-way fare of $12, which ensures a seat without the sweltering wait. With departures from the city at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 4 p.m., and return trips from the beach scheduled for 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., beachgoers can plan their day around peak sun and surf times.
The reintroduction of the Rockaway Rocket, which runs on weekends and holidays through September 1, aims to offer a premium experience, bypassing the hassle of long ferry lines or the discomfort of crowded public transportation, while acknowledging that the price point is up from last year's $10 fare, following an overall trend of increasing transportation costs in the city. According to information obtained by NYC Ferry, tickets for the seasonal service are currently being sold on the NYC Ferry app, encouraging passengers to arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled departure to secure boarding.
Apart from the Rockaway Rocket, riders can opt for the regular Rockaway route, at a lower fare of $4.50, which offers more frequent services and stops in such neighborhoods as Sunset Park. "We’ve expanded the fleet, built larger vessels, and now we run service, in the weekend peaks, every 35 minutes or so out to the beach," NYC Ferry Executive Director James Wong told Gothamist. The standard service meanders between Rockaway Beach and Wall Street, providing not only transport but also views of the city's waterfront.
Despite some riders expressing concerns about the fare hike as cited on social media platforms with comments like "$12 round trip say yes pls," NYC Ferry's services seem to maintain their allure, with the operator noting a 7.4 million ridership count in 2024, its busiest year to date, and a significant increase already evident this year. With the service attractively advertising its expansion, newer vessels, and frequent weekend schedules, local and visiting beach lovers alike have a myriad of options to escape the concrete and find solace in the sand and waves, as per Gothamist.
