Trip Duration
How long is the ferry to the Pines and Cherry Grove?
About 20 minutes each way from Sayville to either community. When a boat runs the triangle route between both, the hop from the Pines to Cherry Grove (or back) is roughly 10 minutes.
Getting There
Where does the ferry leave from?
Boats to the Pines and Cherry Grove depart from the Sayville ferry terminal at 41 River Road, Sayville, NY 11782.
How do you get to the ferry from NYC?
Take the Long Island Rail Road to Sayville — you can buy tickets right in the MTA TrainTime app and skip the station machines, which makes tight connections far less stressful. From the Sayville station, a shuttle or taxi covers the last stretch to the terminal (more on the shuttle below). You can also drive and park nearby, though Long Island traffic on summer weekends gets bad enough that the train is usually faster and cheaper.
Is there a shuttle from the Sayville train station?
Yes — Colonial Transportation runs a shuttle that meets the trains at the Sayville station and drops you right at the ferry terminal, about a 5-to-10-minute ride. It's $6 one way, cash only. Coming home, the shuttle works in reverse, meeting incoming boats to bring you back to the station.
Where do you park?
There's a paid lot directly across from the terminal — River Road Parking, at 50 River Road — a few steps from the dock. It runs around $22 a day. Lot rates shift from season to season, so double-check the current price when you pull in.
Tickets and Cost
How much is the ferry?
Round trip is $20 cash, or $20.70 by card. One way is $11 cash ($11.39 by card). Kids 2–11 ride for $11 round trip ($6 one way), and seniors or handicapped riders with a Suffolk County card pay $19 round trip. Dogs of any size are $7 round trip ($4 one way), and a 40-trip commutation book is $330. These are the fares as of this season — they can change year to year.
Can you buy tickets online, or only at the terminal?
Tickets are sold at the terminal, not online. Cards are accepted up until about five minutes before departure (there's a 3.5% surcharge for paying by card), and after that it's cash only — so if you're cutting it close, have cash ready.
Should I hold onto my ferry ticket?
Yes — if you bought a round trip, keep the stub. It's your fare for the ride home, and losing it means buying a new one-way ticket to get back. People lose theirs all the time, so tuck it somewhere safe.
Schedule and Service
What's the ferry schedule to the Pines and Cherry Grove?
Boatload shows the full day's departures for both routes, with a live countdown to the next boat, and it automatically loads the right schedule for the day — including holidays and special service days when the timetable shifts. Service can be affected by bad weather, so it's worth a look before you head out.
What time is the last ferry back?
It depends on the day and the season, so check Boatload for the final departure in each direction. As a rule, evening service runs later on weekends and in peak summer than it does midweek or in the shoulder season.
Does the ferry run year-round?
Service is seasonal. Boats run most often from spring through early fall, taper off in the shoulder months, and run on a limited basis (or not at all) in deep winter. Even in peak season, the ferry runs during the day and evening — not overnight.
What You Can Bring
Are dogs allowed on the ferry?
Yes, dogs of any size are welcome. The fare is $7 round trip, or $4 one way.
What can you bring on board?
Each passenger can bring two bags up to 25 lbs each, or one suitcase up to 50 lbs, free of charge — enough for a weekend's worth of clothes and groceries. Extra or oversized items (large totes, carts, wagons, a big Costco run) are allowed for an added fee, handled by the crew at the freight gate rather than the ticket booth. One local tip: skip the paper or plastic grocery bags — they're not allowed on board, so pack your groceries in boxes or sturdy canvas totes instead.
Can you bring alcohol on board?
Worth checking directly before you go — the operator sets the rules on alcohol, and they can change season to season.
Are there bathrooms on the ferry?
Not on the boats, but there are restrooms at the Sayville terminal before you board.