7am Ferry to The Rockaways
Empty NYC Streets are rare sight and empty NYC waters are even more rare!
I woke up early one Sunday morning with an overwhelming desire to take the ferry to The Rockaways to watch the city wake up from the New York Bay and blow off the cobwebs of NYC.
South Street Seaport ferry terminal was pleasantly empty at 6:45am on a Sunday and I had to double check to make sure there was a ferry so early. At a one-way rate of $2.75 and journey time of 57 minutes NYC-Rockaways it is the best bang-for-your-buck ever with beautiful views from start to finish.
Leaving South Street Seaport heading down The East River is a majestic sight: The Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges line up to salute the passengers embarking on their journey while the picture-perfect Lower Manhattan skyline leads the way into New York Bay.
I sat upstairs on the deck facing the skyline watching it fade smaller and smaller into the distance with the wind blowing my hair. The early morning sun was proudly elevating to earn its place in the beautiful Sunday sky. I set my shutter speed fast to match the speed of the ferry and literally was spoilt for choice as to which direction to point my camera.
The journey continued with the route dreams are made of: Governors Island, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Downtown Brooklyn skyline. Making a single stop at Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park the ferry continued on its spectacular journey.
The Verrazzano Bridge beckoned, guiding the ferry between Bay Ridge and Staten Island around the Brooklyn corner. The suspension bridge is deceivingly tall and imposing when up close. It is amazing to pass directly underneath it
Continuing around the hook of Bay Ridge towards Coney Island is like taking a ride directly to fun town: with the bright beach front properties & lighthouse backed by The Verrazano and The Parachute Jump, Wonder Wheel and Cyclone standing tall with the faded NYC Skyline in the background it is truly a surreal view of colliding worlds old vs new. Fishing boats & Speed boats joined the calm waters with their occupants hoping to catch the proverbial early worm (or fish!)
Continuing into the calm channel of Jamaica Bay for the final stretch of the journey Rockaway Beach provided tranquility to prepare riders for the Rockaway Ferry Terminal. As the wind calmed down so did the ferry, the water rocked the passengers back to reality past the dockside fishermen and early risers.
From iconic skyline to imposing structures to fun town and the beach this 57 minute journey truly is the perfect way to spend any free time and it takes the rider a world away from New York while keeping The City firmly in the corner of the eye.
This was a fabulous start to the day and well worth getting up early for!
Camera:
Sony A6000 16-50mm lens
Settings:
Aperture - F8
Shutterspeed: 500s
ISO: 250
White Balance: Daylight
It is worth getting up early for the 7am Ferry to The Rockaways!