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September 2017
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Find Us On Facebook at Boating On The Hudson
Seastreak
to The Shore
by
John Michael Vargo
M
anhattan was melting on a mid July morning and
I was escaping to the cool water and breezes of Sandy
Hook National Park.
It was an easy, ten-minute walk from Grand Central
Terminal to the Seastreak Pier at 34th St on the East
River. There I caught the ferry at 8:45 AM, which got
me the early bird special. The rate was thirty dollars
round trip. Later trips from the same location cost
forty six dollars round trip. Children under 5 ride free
and fewer than 12 at reduced rates.
The Seastreak Ferry is roomy, fast and stable being a
Catamaran. After leaving 34th St. we made a stop at
Wall St. After that it was a direct flying trip out of the
harbor, under the magnificent Verrazano Bridge. As we
were passing the bridge
Below decks I found a clean well organized, air
conditioned operation with comfortable seats and
a fully stocked bar. Although I cannot imagine why
anyone would be looking at TV when the New York City
Skyline is whizzing by outside
the windows. The ride alone
was worth the thirty dollars!
Our destination was the
Coast Guard Station pier on
Sandy Hook. This station
at one time was very busy
but today seemed almost
abandoned. In the parking
lot was a school bus, which we
were directed to.
Once we were all seated it
took only five minutes to drive
to the nearest beach. The
entire Sandy Hook National
Park is well maintained by the
Park Service with portable
toilets, drinking water and
lifeguards as well as picnic
areas. On this weekday
morning it looked almost
deserted! There are no food
vendors, you must carry in
your own food and drink.
The beach was clean and hundreds of yards wide. I
trudged through the sand working up a sweat. Then,
very quickly changed into my swimsuit. On certain parts
of this National Park swimsuits are optional.
On this day the Atlantic Ocean was calm, a gentle,
mellow surf. A refreshing dip was all it took to satisfy
my day.
If you’re planning on staying at Sandy Hook National
Park overnight there are camp sites, or you can go to a
distant hotel in Long Branch, New Jersey or Highland, NJ.
I found a LaQuinta Inn at Long Branch, (109 per night)
which was a $40.00 cab ride from the beach.
To avoid expensive cab rides I would suggest you bring
a bike to the park. That way you can travel to the various
tourist sites such as the Proving Grounds or the Fort Hancock
Museum or for that matter the Coast Guard Station.