What ferries serve Long Island?

Long Island is served by several ferry services that connect the island with Connecticut, Rhode Island, Fire Island, Shelter Island, and nearby coastal destinations. Some ferries carry both passengers and vehicles, while others are passenger-only services that provide access to car-free communities and popular vacation destinations. For a broader overview of routes, terminals, and services, visit our Long Island Ferries guide.

In Short

Long Island’s major ferry services include the Port Jefferson Ferry, Cross Sound Ferry, Fire Island Ferries, Sayville Ferry Service, the Shelter Island ferries, and seasonal ferry service to Block Island. Some routes transport vehicles, while others are designed exclusively for walk-on passengers.

What Ferries Serve Long Island?

Long Island’s ferry network plays an important role in regional transportation, connecting communities separated by the Long Island Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, bays, and surrounding islands. Ferries provide alternatives to driving, offer scenic waterfront views, and make it possible to reach destinations that cannot be accessed by bridge.

Vehicle Ferries

The two largest vehicle ferries serving Long Island connect the island with Connecticut. The Port Jefferson Ferry operates between Port Jefferson and Bridgeport, Connecticut, while the Cross Sound Ferry connects Orient Point with New London, Connecticut. Both carry automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, commercial vehicles, and walk-on passengers, making them popular alternatives to driving through the New York metropolitan area.

Shelter Island Ferry also transports vehicles between North Haven and Shelter Island. On the island’s northern side, the North Ferry provides another vehicle crossing between Greenport and Shelter Island, allowing travelers to continue exploring both the North Fork and South Fork.

Fire Island Ferries

Because automobiles are generally prohibited throughout most of Fire Island, passenger ferries provide the primary means of transportation to the island’s communities. Ferries depart from Bay Shore, Sayville, and Patchogue, with each terminal and operator serving different destinations.

Fire Island Ferries operates from Bay Shore and serves communities including Ocean Beach, Kismet, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, and Seaview. Sayville Ferry Service operates from Sayville and provides passage to Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, Sailors Haven and the Sunken Forest, and Water Island. Other ferry service from Patchogue provides access to Davis Park and Watch Hill. Travelers should confirm the correct mainland terminal and operator for their destination before departing.

Seasonal Ferry Service

During the warmer months, seasonal ferry routes expand travel opportunities beyond Long Island. Viking Fleet operates passenger ferry service between Montauk and Block Island, providing convenient day-trip and vacation options without the need to drive through the mainland. Additional connections to Block Island may be available through eastern Long Island and Connecticut ferry services. Seasonal schedules, operating dates, and reservation policies vary each year.

Planning Your Ferry Trip

If you’re traveling with a vehicle, advance reservations are strongly recommended during the busy summer season, particularly on routes to Connecticut and Shelter Island. Walk-on passengers generally have greater flexibility, although holiday weekends and peak travel periods can still result in crowded departures. Travelers should also review weather conditions and seasonal schedules before leaving home, as ferry operations may be affected by storms, fog, or high winds.

Continue Exploring

Many ferry routes lead directly to some of Long Island’s most popular destinations. After arriving, you can explore Fire Island National Seashore, visit the villages of the North Fork, discover Shelter Island, spend the day in Montauk, or browse our guides to Long Island Points of Interest, the Long Island Events Calendar, and the best things to do on Long Island.

Quick Facts

Ferry Service	Route	Vehicle Service	Typical Use
Port Jefferson Ferry	Port Jefferson ↔ Bridgeport, Connecticut	Yes	Travel between Long Island and Connecticut
Cross Sound Ferry	Orient Point ↔ New London, Connecticut	Yes	Travel to New England while avoiding New York City traffic
Fire Island Ferries	Bay Shore ↔ western and central Fire Island communities	No	Access to Ocean Beach, Kismet, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Seaview, and nearby communities
Sayville Ferry Service	Sayville ↔ central Fire Island communities	No	Access to Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, Sailors Haven, and Water Island
Patchogue Ferry Services	Patchogue ↔ Davis Park and Watch Hill	No	Passenger service to eastern Fire Island destinations
Shelter Island Ferry	North Haven ↔ Shelter Island	Yes	Primary vehicle access to Shelter Island
North Ferry	Greenport ↔ Shelter Island	Yes	Connection between the North Fork and Shelter Island
Block Island Ferry	Greenport ↔ Block Island (seasonal)	No	Seasonal passenger service to Block Island, Rhode Island

Whether you’re crossing the Long Island Sound, visiting Fire Island, exploring Shelter Island, or taking a seasonal trip to Block Island, Long Island’s ferry system provides convenient transportation and scenic waterfront views. Use the Long Island Ferries guide to compare services and plan the right route for your trip.