Getting around by boat and ferry Côte Est Etats-Unis

A great ride on a ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island. Although there is not much to see or do on Staten Island, the trip between the two islands is really worth it. The ferry passes by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The crossing gives you a magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline. The round trip takes approximately 1 hour from the Battery Park terminal at 4 Whitehall Street (daily, 24 hours a day, every 30 minutes). We advise you to return from Staten Island at sunset.

Why not take advantage of the legendary port of Salem to make your arrival in the city by boat? The ferry takes you to Long Wharf, next to the Boston Aquarium, and arrives at the Salem Ferry Terminal. It is obviously more expensive than taking the MBTA commuter train, but the experience is quite different! Along the way, you can hear explanations about the landscape and history of the bay. The trip takes just under an hour and the ferries have an indoor space as well as an outdoor bridge to enjoy the view.

New London is one of the mainland cities from which it is possible, in season, to reach Block Island, in the neighboring state of Rhode Island. Block Island Express operates from May to September. There are between 3 and 4 trips per day, depending on the month. Journey times, which can vary according to the weather, generally take 1 hour 30 minutes. The ferries are comfortable, with an outside deck and an air-conditioned interior. Advance reservations are recommended.

New London's privileged geographical position, along the Thames River and on the shores of the Long Island Strait, makes it easily accessible by boat. Cross Sound Ferry provides daily transportation from New London to Orient Point, Long Island, New York. The ferries operate daily throughout the year and can carry cars. The journey takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on the ferry. You can enjoy the view by sitting on the bridge.

Ferries connect Point Judith to the island every day of the year. Fast ferries make the crossing in 30 minutes, while traditional ferries take almost an hour. Traditional ferries are the only boats capable of carrying vehicles on the island, so you'll need to take one of these if you plan to explore Block Island by car. There are also fast ferry connections from Newport and Fall River, but these are only available between June and September on a daily basis.

From Woods Hole, you can reach Martha's Vineyard in 45 minutes. Before boarding, you'll need to leave your car in one of the Falmouth parking lots (the most common is 286 Palmer Avenue, others are listed online). Then take a shuttle bus directly to the pier. This will cost you between US$10 and US$16 for 24 hours, depending on the season. Don't try to force your way into Woods Hole, especially during high season, as you won't be able to park.

In season, it is possible to reach the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket from New Bedford by taking this ferry company. There are two to three daily departures, one hour to Martha's Vineyard and two hours to Nantucket. Note that these ferries only carry passengers, so you won't be able to use them with a car. Bicycles, however, are accepted on board (for a small supplement). It is possible, and even advisable during the high season, to book your tickets on the website.

The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is home to 32 islands, but only 2 of them are accessible from the mainland: George and Spectacle Islands, connected to Boston by a seasonal ferry service. In Boston, the ferry picks up passengers at Long Wharf on the harbor. It takes 30 minutes to cross to Spectacle Island and 45 minutes to George Island. The others are served in the summer and some weekends from these two islands. Ferry schedules vary depending on the day, season and island of destination.

This ferry network now includes 6 roads and 21 stops along the East River in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Ferries are used by New Yorkers who have seen their journey to work considerably reduced thanks to the efficiency of the system. Tourists can of course board the boat, especially since many stops are located in interesting neighbourhoods. Feel free to go upstairs to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline or the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge.

This ferry company runs year-round between Nantucket and Hyannis. The ferry takes about an hour to make the crossing and sails all year round. Connections are most frequent from May to October, but there are several daily connections even in winter. There are also connections between Oak Bluffs (Martha's Vineyard) and Nantucket from June to September. Schedules are available on the Internet and at the ports of departure. Hy-Line Cruises ferries carry passengers only, so you will need to leave your car at the dedicated Hyannis car park.

There are several ways to reach Nantucket, thanks to the traditional ferry, which operates all year round, and the fast ferry, which sails mainly in summer. Both depart from Hyannis on Cape Cod. In summer, there's also a connection between Martha's Vineyard (Oak Bluffs) and Nantucket. If you want to take your car with you, you'll need to take the traditional ferry, which takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to reach Nantucket from Hyannis. Advance reservations are required for vehicles (no need to reserve for pedestrians).

The ferry connects Woods Hole (Falmouth to Cape Cod) to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs several times a day, all year round. Off season, no need to reserve a seat unless you wish to drive by. In season, book in advance! The ferry is often full. When arriving in Falmouth, if you are a foot passenger, you must leave your car in the car park (the most common is the one located at 286 Palmer Avenue, the others are listed online). Then take a shuttle bus that will drop you off directly at the pier.

This ferry company operates between Hyannis and Oak Bluffs in season (May to October) only. There are up to 6 connections daily between 8am and 7.25pm, a 55-minute crossing from Hyannis. Timetables are available on the internet and at the ports of departure. There are also connections to Nantucket from Oak Bluffs. The ferry does not take vehicles on board, you will need to leave your car in the car park in Hyannis if you have one. By purchasing your tickets on site, you will be able to reserve a parking space.

What's the point of being surrounded by water if you don't want to take a boat? Boston has a taxi-boat service, which serves around 15 stops in the city (on the waterfront). The airport is one of the stops, and you can then take the 66 bus to the terminals. Year-round service, the boats are covered and heated in winter. If you haven't booked in advance on the website, you can call them to come and pick you up. It usually takes 20 minutes for them to arrive.

If you want to spend a weekend in Provincetown from Boston, this is surely the best option - not the cheapest, certainly, but the simplest and most charming! No need for a car, no traffic jams, in 1h30 you're there! Ferries operate daily between May and October, usually with three departures a day. You will have the possibility to take a two-wheeler on board, if you wish to discover Provincetown by bike. We advise you to book in advance on the website, as cruises are popular.

The New York City ferry system efficiently connects several Brooklyn neighborhoods to/from Manhattan and even Queens. The Rockaway Route connects to Rockaway Beach from Wall Street; the South Brooklyn Route connects to Dumbo, Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge; the East River Route connects to Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and Dumbo from Wall Street; and the Astoria Route connects to the up-and-coming Brooklyn Navy Yard from Wall Street and up to Astoria, Queens.