South Ferry Shelter Island — Live Webcam in Real Time
Shelter Island and Its Ferry Service
Shelter Island is a unique place on the map of New York, situated between the North and South Forks of Long Island. This patch of land is surrounded by the waters of Shelter Island Sound on three sides and Gardiners Bay on the fourth, making it completely isolated from the mainland bridge network. That is why the ferry crossing is not a tourist attraction but a vital necessity for local residents.
The South Ferry connects Shelter Island with the North Haven peninsula on the South Fork of Long Island. It is a year-round public ferry service that operates 365 days a year with intervals of 10–15 minutes. Unlike many seasonal routes, the South Ferry does not stop operating even in winter months, providing reliable transportation for islanders.
History of the South Ferry
The ferry service between Shelter Island and the South Fork has deep historical roots. According to some sources, regular crossings began as early as 1793, making this crossing one of the oldest in the region. However, the modern history of the South Ferry dates back to 1830, when an official ferry service was established.
Interestingly, both island ferries — North and South — technically carry New York State Route 114 (NY 114). This means that vehicles crossing on the ferry are formally continuing along a state highway, with the water obstacle being overcome by ferry rather than bridge.
Route and Ferry Schedule
The South Ferry operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This means there is no strict schedule in the traditional sense — ferries run continuously, loading vehicles as they arrive. During peak summer weekends, when traffic increases many times over, waiting times can reach 30–60 minutes.
The crossing from North Haven to Shelter Island takes just a few minutes. During this time, the ferry traverses the strait separating the island from the South Fork. Several passenger cars can be accommodated on the deck at once, and passengers can step out onto the deck to enjoy views of the water surface and the shoreline.
Geographic Location and Accessibility
Shelter Island is located in Suffolk County, New York, and is part of the region known as the Hamptons. The island's permanent population is approximately 2,200 people, but during the summer season this number rises to about 10,000 people thanks to vacationers and owners of country homes.
The island can be reached by two ferries: the North Ferry from Greenport on the North Fork (about 8 minutes in transit) and the South Ferry from North Haven/Sag Harbor. Notably, 128 island residents work on the ferries — either on the North Ferry or the South Ferry, which underscores the importance of the crossing for the local economy.
North Ferry — The Alternative Route
For a complete picture, it is worth mentioning the North Ferry, which connects Greenport on the North Fork with Shelter Island Heights on Shelter Island. This route was established in 1883 to provide service from the Long Island Rail Road terminus in Greenport.
The first regular service between Shelter Island and the North Fork was established by Jonathan Preston, an English immigrant, in the 1850s. Since then, the ferry crossing has become an integral part of island life, providing connections to the rail network and mainland roads.
Features of the Ferry Crossing
Shelter Island has no bridges connecting it to the mainland. This means that private ferries are the only way to reach the island by car. For residents and visitors to the island, the ferry is not an exotic experience but everyday transportation, like a bus or subway for city dwellers.
The South Ferry is a white vehicle ferry with the distinctive inscription "SHELTER ISLAND.NY" on its side. The deck accommodates passenger cars, pickups, and SUVs simultaneously. The crossing takes place across the East River, and passengers can observe the water surface with its reflections, as well as the island's shoreline with its urban infrastructure.
What You Can See on the Camera
The live webcam broadcasts a live feed from the South Ferry port on Shelter Island. In the frame is the "Shelter Island NY" vehicle ferry, which is on the water surface of the East River. Loaded vehicles are visible on the deck: a red pickup truck, a dark SUV, and other vehicles awaiting the crossing.
In the background of the broadcast is the shoreline of Shelter Island with its urban infrastructure, as well as bridge structures and the water surface with characteristic reflections. The camera operates around the clock, so at night you can observe the lights of the ferry and the shoreline lights, creating the atmosphere of a maritime crossing.
The broadcast demonstrates the ferry service between Shelter Island and the mainland in real time. This allows you not only to observe the operation of the crossing but also to assess the current weather in the region, the intensity of vehicle traffic, and the overall atmosphere of this unique place on Long Island.
