Highlands ferry schedule and guide

SeaStreak runs the Highlands ferry, a passenger ferry from Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, to East 35th Street, the Battery Maritime Building and Brookfield Place in Manhattan. SeaStreak ferries carry passengers, bicycles and scooters, and no cars. Commuter boats take no reservations and board first come, first served.

Highlands ferry schedule Fall 2026

Highlands ferry details

Highlands ferry terminal parking and directions

SeaStreak's Highlands ferry terminal is at 326 Shore Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732. The Highlands ferry terminal has a ticket office, restrooms, a covered waiting area and a bike rack. Port Provisions, inside the terminal, sells coffee, breakfast sandwiches and pastries on weekday mornings and evenings.

Parking at the Highlands ferry terminal

SeaStreak runs two lots in Highlands, both free except overnight. Overnight parking is free on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. On Sunday through Wednesday nights, cars may stay overnight only in the satellite lot, for a fee. Cars left overnight in the main lot on those nights can be towed.

Drivers dropping off or picking up riders may not stop along the bulkhead, which is a fire zone, and Highlands police issue tickets there. SeaStreak has posted no-idling signs in Highlands. A vehicle that idles more than 3 minutes in the no-idling zone gets a fine, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection enforces the rule.

Driving to the Highlands ferry terminal

From the north, drivers take the Garden State Parkway to exit 117. Route 36 east leads about 11 miles to the Linden Avenue jug handle in Highlands. From the south, drivers take the Garden State Parkway to exit 105 and follow Route 36 east to Ocean Avenue. Ocean Avenue runs north through Sea Bright and over the Highlands Bridge. Drivers turn right at Linden Avenue, the second light after the bridge.

From Linden Avenue, drivers turn left on Waterwitch Avenue and take the first left onto Shore Drive. The Highlands ferry terminal is on the right.

Atlantic Highlands ferry terminal parking and directions

SeaStreak's Atlantic Highlands ferry terminal is at 2 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716, at the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina. The ferry leaves from the end of the Hesse pier, to the left of the On the Deck restaurant. SeaStreak gives drivers 2 Simon Lake Drive as the address for GPS.

The Atlantic Highlands ferry terminal has a covered waiting area and a bike rack. Its ticket office is open on weekdays and closed on weekends, except for special event departures. On the Deck and Sissy's, across the street from the terminal, sell food and drinks.

Parking at the Atlantic Highlands ferry terminal

SeaStreak parking in Atlantic Highlands is free except overnight. Overnight parking is allowed only in SeaStreak's fenced lots 3 and 4, where it is free on Thursday through Saturday nights. Cars left overnight in lots 1 and 2 can be ticketed or towed.

The other lots near the Atlantic Highlands ferry terminal are municipal lots, not SeaStreak's. The Atlantic Highlands Police Department tows cars left overnight in a municipal lot.

Driving to the Atlantic Highlands ferry terminal

From the north or from New York City, drivers take the Garden State Parkway to exit 117 and follow Route 36 east about 9 miles to the First Avenue jug handle in Atlantic Highlands. From the south, drivers take Route 36 east from exit 105 to Ocean Avenue and go north over the Highlands Bridge. First Avenue is the seventh light, on the right, and it ends at the ferry.

Highlands ferry terminals in Manhattan

The Highlands ferry lands at three Manhattan terminals. SeaStreak has no parking at any of them, and riders who drive use nearby garages.

SeaStreak boats leave from either of the two docks at East 35th Street. East 35th Street has limited covered waiting areas and no refreshments. The Battery Maritime Building, a few blocks south of the South Street Seaport, has restrooms, refreshments and a covered waiting area.

SeaStreak opens ticket windows at East 35th Street and the Battery Maritime Building in the afternoon and evening.

When to arrive for the Highlands ferry

SeaStreak asks Highlands ferry riders to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure, with time to park and buy a ticket. When a boat draws a crowd, the captain can call priority boarding. Riders with a commuter card holding at least one trip then board first. The terminal sells no one-way or round-trip tickets for that boat until every ticket holder is aboard.

SeaStreak runs a free shuttle bus between Highlands and Atlantic Highlands on weekdays, timed to certain ferries. The shuttle ride takes about 10 minutes. SeaStreak sends schedule changes and weather cancellations by text and email to riders who sign up for its service alerts.

SeaStreak reserves the right to refuse riders under 13 who travel without an adult.

Highlands ferry FAQs

More New Jersey ferries

• Sandy Hook ferry, SeaStreak's summer beach ferry from Manhattan
• Belford ferry, NY Waterway's ferry from Belford in Middletown
• New Jersey ferries