As someone who frequents the inside of an NJ Transit train car at least twice a weekend this time of year, I think I can speak for all of us Jersey Shore lovers when I say that the escape is near-perfect, but the commute there? Well, let’s just say not as near, literally and figuratively.
Whether you’re inching along the Garden State Parkway, refreshing train schedules, or trying to time your departure around inevitable summer traffic, getting to the Shore can sometimes feel like the hardest part of the vacation.
The good news? This summer, a new alternative is making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination itself.
Beginning this June, New Yorkers will once again be able to swap crowded highways for open water as a seasonal ferry service returns between Manhattan and Point Pleasant Beach. The route promises a breezy ride to one of the Jersey Shore’s most beloved beach towns, delivering passengers from the city to the sand in just over an hour.
And with Point Pleasant Beach experiencing a wave of growth alongside neighboring Shore communities that continue to attract visitors and summer homeowners alike, the timing couldn’t be better. This summer, the journey to the beach is getting a waterfront upgrade, and yes, it’s a breezy way to travel to an even breezier destination. Once again, literally and figuratively.
⛴️ Seastreak NYC to Point Pleasant Beach: At a Glance
Operating from June 19 through August 9 (plus Labor Day weekend, Sept 4–7, 2026), Seastreak’s new direct ferry strips the stress out of weekend travel. Running primarily on Fridays and Sundays, the route delivers you from Lower Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building (Slip 5) straight to Point Pleasant Beach, NJ in just 1 hour and 15 minutes.
It’s a breezy alternative to gridlock traffic, but keep in mind that beach access passes are not included and must be bought separately upon arrival.
- Sailing Times: Fridays depart NYC at 11:30 AM and return from PPB at 1:00 PM. Sundays (and holiday Mondays) depart PPB for the city at 1:30 PM.
- Fares: Tickets are $69 one-way / $99 round-trip for adults, and $34 one-way / $59 round-trip for kids (ages 3–12). Infants sail free.
- Bikes & Scooters: Standard wheels cost $10 one-way / $20 round-trip; electric models are $20 one-way / $40 round-trip.
- The Fine Print: Arrive 20–30 minutes early for check-in. If your plans change, call 1 (800) BOAT-RIDE before your departure to change dates for a small fee ($10 one-way / $20 round-trip).
- Food & Drink: Soft-sided coolers with food and non-alcoholic drinks are totally fine to bring along, but outside alcohol is banned since there is already a cash bar waiting for you on deck.
☀️ Your destination: Point Pleasant Beach
The ferry will conveniently position you for onward travel to just about any nearby Jersey Shore town, but if you ask me, you may want to linger around the drop–off point for a little while longer.
Point Pleasant Beach has been one of my favorite places in the world for more than two decades, and it remains one of those rare destinations that somehow feels exactly the same and completely different every time I visit.
My favorite things in Point Pleasant:
- Jenkinson’s South Beach Arcade: My mom loved to dress my brother and me in head-to-toe tie-dye as kids. Despite the years and the slight change in my aesthetic color choices, this arcade still looks the same as it did back then, and as you can imagine, it’s remained a massive family staple for us. If you want a pro-tip: head there during the week when they run their half-priced games to try your luck at the claw machines without the weekend crowds. You probably won’t walk out with as many stuffed animals as my grandpa, locally hailed as the claw machine expert, but as a principle I’ve been subscribing to my whole life, it’s fun to try.
- Point Lobster Company: You can’t ride a boat to the Shore and not check out the seafood scene. For our favorite lobster rolls in the area, head straight over to Point Lobster. Packed with fresh, sweet lobster and served up just right, it’s the ultimate post-beach, pre-arcade reward, and a local institution for a reason.
- Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches on the Boardwalk: No trip to Point Pleasant is complete without a little boardwalk indulgence, and the giant waffle ice cream sandwiches are the undisputed heavyweight champion of Shore desserts. You can find them at pretty much any spot on the boardwalk, and they’re worth it everytime. Picture thick, warm, fresh-pressed waffles hugging a massive block of your favorite ice cream flavor. Eat it fast before it melts in the summer heat, it’s messy, nostalgic, and entirely perfect.
The ocean is calling, and for once, the journey there comes with sea breezes, skyline views, and the promise of a lobster roll waiting on the other side.