High-speed ferry from New York could reach Atlantic City casinos by summer 2027
Ferry operator Seastreak is exploring a 2.5-hour route to Atlantic City as developers push a $4 billion luxury project at the city's old airfield.
A high-speed ferry service linking New York City to Atlantic City's casino district could launch as soon as next summer, according to developers behind a proposed $4 billion luxury project on the city's old municipal airfield.
Ferry operator Seastreak, which currently runs boats between New York City and Atlantic Highlands in Monmouth County, has expressed interest in starting a direct route to Atlantic City, Inquirer.com reported.
What the ferry trip could look like
Tommy Carr, a partner in Deem Development, said the proposed journey would take two and a half hours and cost $145 round trip. The boat would dock at Farley State Marina, close to the Golden Nugget casino.
Seastreak owner James Barker said the company has two 600-person ferries, the Courageous and the Commodore, that could handle the route. He said faster vessels could eventually cut the journey to two hours, though the company is still weighing whether it has boats available during peak summer season.
It's a feasibility question. Do we have boats that will be available in peak season? We're excited about the opportunity. We're still trying to understand what the Atlantic City opportunity looks like.James Barker, owner of Seastreak Ferries
Seastreak already operates up to 19 round trips a day between Atlantic Highlands and New York City in peak season, and also runs ferries from New York to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Barker said those boats have Wi-Fi and a bar, allowing commuters to work during the crossing.
Why a casino city wants a ferry
The ferry proposal is linked to a wider push to reposition Atlantic City as a higher-end destination. Carr's company, Deem Development, has an agreement with the city to build the Intercoastal Motorcar & Yacht Club on Bader Field, a defunct municipal airport on Albany Avenue.
Under that agreement the city would sell the site for $100 million, and Deem would contribute $15 million toward a community centre. The 1,237-home project is envisaged as a luxury, car-focused community with a members-only 2.44-mile driving circuit, a renewable energy microgrid, bike paths, a boardwalk and a car museum built on the old runways.
Carr said the company has secured the financing it needs, though the project still awaits approvals from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection. He described the construction timeline as at least five years.
A city betting on a luxury turnaround
Atlantic City has drawn renewed interest from residential developers, including the Kushner Company, Brian Zoubek and K. Hovnanian, as oceanfront property along the rest of the Jersey Shore becomes increasingly expensive. Governor Mikie Sherrill has called the Bader Field site a huge opportunity while saying she still has questions about the plan.
Carr argued that better transport links, including the ferry and a separate proposal from Connecticut-based charter operator Tradewind Aviation to expand jet service into Atlantic City, are needed to draw visitors back. Atlantic City's airport has had limited service since Spirit Airlines ceased operations in May, leaving Breeze and Allegiant running flights mainly to Florida and Myrtle Beach.
Why it matters for the casino market
Atlantic City's casinos face mounting competition from casinos now operating in New York City, a shift some in the industry believe could squeeze weaker Atlantic City properties. Easier, faster access from Manhattan would give the city's casino resorts, including the Golden Nugget near the proposed ferry dock, a new route to reach gamblers who currently have no direct boat or rail option into the resort town.
For now, the ferry remains a proposal rather than a booked service. Seastreak has not committed to a launch date, and both the ferry and the Bader Field development depend on further approvals and commercial decisions before any New Yorker can step off a boat onto an Atlantic City boardwalk.
Frequently asked questions
Is there currently a ferry from New York City to Atlantic City?
No. Seastreak has only expressed interest in starting such a route, with a possible launch by Memorial Day weekend 2027 if the company decides the service is feasible.
How much would the proposed Atlantic City ferry cost?
Developers cited a round-trip fare of $145 for a 2.5-hour crossing, with the possibility of a faster two-hour trip if higher-speed vessels are used.
Where would the ferry dock in Atlantic City?
The proposed route would bring passengers into Farley State Marina, located near the Golden Nugget casino.
This report is based on Inquirer.com, checked and rewritten by the Casino Courant desk. Spotted an error? Tell us.
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