A New York City ferry to Atlantic City could make it much easier to visit the Shore without sitting in traffic.
Seastreak Ferries and Atlantic City developer interests led by Tommy Carr of Deem Development/DEEM Enterprises are reportedly in very early talks about a high-speed passenger ferry between Manhattan and Atlantic City. If it moves forward, service could potentially begin around Memorial Day 2027—but nothing is confirmed yet.
Seastreak President James D. Barker has been clear that the idea is still exploratory. “We are in the very early stages of this,” he said. “This isn’t a sure thing. We’re really just exploring the idea.”
The news comes on the heels of the announcement that the Tropicana now offers live roulette streamed directly from a physical table in Atlantic City. We also recently learned that second quarter casino revenue in America's Playground was down.
In addition, New Jersey online casinos continue to be one of the top revenue generators in the country.
How the Proposed Atlantic City Ferry Would Work
The proposed ferry to Atlantic City would likely leave from the Battery area of lower Manhattan, near the Battery Maritime Building, and arrive at Farley State Marina near the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. Other landing locations are still being considered.
The ride would take roughly two and a half hours, though some estimates put it at about two hours and 45 minutes. That could be competitive with driving from Manhattan to Atlantic City, which often takes about three hours depending on Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway traffic.
The proposed round-trip fare is about $145, according to Tommy Carr. If demand supports the investment, faster vessels could eventually reduce the trip to about two hours.
Where Passengers Would Arrive
Farley State Marina sits near the Golden Nugget, so ferry passengers would be only steps from that casino. Other nearby casinos would be about a five- to ten-minute walk away, and organizers have discussed providing a shuttle for visitors heading farther along the Boardwalk.
That arrival point is a major part of the appeal. Instead of parking a car, passengers could step off the boat and be close to casinos, restaurants, entertainment, and the beach.
Seastreak Ferries already runs high-speed service between New Jersey’s Raritan Bayshore and several Manhattan terminals, including Highlands/Atlantic Highlands, East 35th Street, and Brookfield Place. The company also operates seasonal routes to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, as well as service to Sandy Hook and special-event trips.
For an Atlantic City ferry, Seastreak has pointed to two of its larger vessels: the 600-passenger Courageous and Commodore. Barker described them as comfortable “workhorse” boats capable of making the open-ocean trip. They are expected to offer amenities such as Wi-Fi and a bar.
The biggest question is availability. Seastreak already needs those vessels for its busy summer routes, so the company would need to determine whether it can add Atlantic City service during peak season.
There has also been talk of adding more housing units to the marina-area as well.
Why Atlantic City Developers Support It
The ferry proposal is connected to Deem’s proposed Intercoastal Motorcar & Yacht Club, a roughly $4 billion luxury development planned for Bader Field, Atlantic City’s former municipal airport. Carr has presented the ferry as one way to increase tourism, visitation, and interest in living in Atlantic City.
Under the plan, Deem would acquire the Bader Field site for about $100 million and contribute $15 million toward a community center. Carr has said financing is lined up, while state Department of Environmental Protection approval remains an important next step.
A working group has reportedly been meeting every couple of weeks, and a stakeholder meeting involving Mayor Marty Small Sr., casino representatives, developers, and other local leaders took place around September 21, 2026.
What the Schedule Could Look Like
No schedule has been finalized.
Early ideas include weekend-focused service, such as Friday through Sunday trips, or selected midweek departures. A pilot program has also been discussed as a way to test demand before committing to a larger operation.
For now, travelers should treat every detail as tentative. The route, terminals, ticket price, departure times, and vessel availability would all need to be finalized before tickets could go on sale.
What It Could Mean for NYC Casinos
A New York City ferry to Atlantic City would not dramatically change the New York casino market on its own.
New York State awarded downstate casino licenses in December 2025 to Resorts World New York City in Queens, which became NYC's first full casino in April, Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point, which $400 million in funding was just secured, and Metropolitan Park, backed by Hard Rock, near Citi Field. Bally’s Bronx and Metropolitan Park are targeting openings around 2030.
In the short term, the ferry could attract a limited number of New Yorkers who want the full Atlantic City experience: the beach, Boardwalk, multiple casinos, concerts, and an overnight resort feel. It may especially appeal to visitors who do not want to drive or pay for parking.
Over the long term, the impact would likely remain small. New York’s new casino resorts will be much closer to local customers and will offer hotels, dining, entertainment, and gaming in one place. The ferry is better understood as a way for Atlantic City to strengthen its destination appeal—not as a major threat to New York’s casino projects.
The Bottom Line
An Atlantic City ferry from New York City could offer a car-free, scenic, and potentially convenient way to reach the Shore in about two and a half hours. But the project is still in the exploratory stage, and Seastreak has not committed to launching it.
If the service does launch around Memorial Day 2027, it could become a new travel option for day-trippers, casino visitors, concertgoers, and weekend travelers. Until then, the best advice is simple: watch for official announcements from Seastreak and Atlantic City before making plans around this proposed ferry to Atlantic City.
