[title]
Getting to the beach this summer is about to get a lot easier.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York City Economic Development Corporation unveiled NYC Ferry’s 2026 summer schedule, which officials say will deliver the most ferry service in the system’s history. The expanded service began this week and will run through September 13, adding more trips, larger boats on busy routes and expanded beach-bound service ahead of what is expected to be one of New York’s busiest summers ever.
The timing is no accident. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to town, plus major events including Sail4th 250 and the city’s usual summer crush of visitors, officials are expecting record demand across the transportation network.
Among the biggest changes for New Yorkers is the return of the popular Rockaway Rocket and the Rockaway Reserve program. Beginning in early July and running through Labor Day, the Rockaway Rocket will once again offer direct service to the beach from Long Island City and Greenpoint. Meanwhile, Rockaway Reserve tickets—which guarantee a seat on select weekend and holiday departures between Pier 11 and Rockaway—go on sale May 23.
The city says riders can also expect more weekend departures across the network, shorter waits and larger vessels operating on high-demand routes during peak travel periods. Expanded beach service will supplement the existing Rockaway–Soundview route, which was created as part of NYC Ferry’s recent systemwide redesign.
The ferry system has been riding a wave of growth. According to city officials, the East River route recorded its two busiest days ever this past weekend, with more than 40,000 boardings. Last summer, NYC Ferry also set daily, weekly and monthly ridership records, with August 2025 becoming the busiest month in the system’s history.
To mark the launch, the city also unveiled five newly wrapped ferries featuring World Cup-inspired artwork celebrating each of the five boroughs. The vessels will operate throughout New York Harbor all summer long.
For anyone planning beach days, waterfront bar crawls or scenic commutes, this summer may be the easiest—and most picturesque—time yet to travel by boat around New York City.