How long does the seaplane take from Manhattan to the Hamptons?

Typically 1 h 10 m – 1 h 40 m door-to-door under non-peak conditions.

Passages · Plate III

Seaplane

Off the East River, onto the East End — water to water.

Door-to-door1 h 10 m – 1 h 40 m

From$595per seat

DepartsBLADE Aqua Lounge, East 23rd Street (East River)

CadenceSeasonal (late May–early September); book early

To

Manhattan

East Hampton 2 h 33 m

Each route is plotted from real road, rail, air and water geometry; rings mark rough distance from Manhattan. Times are typical, non-peak — see method.

An amphibious Cessna 208 lifts off the East River at the East 23rd Street seaport and touches down on the water near Sag Harbor, Shelter Island or Montauk about forty minutes later. From Manhattan there is no airport detour — the seaplane base is on the East Side itself. Note that Tailwind Air, the seaplane name many travelers remember, ceased operations in January 2026; today the scheduled East River seaplane to the Hamptons is flown by BLADE.

The reckoning

In its favour — A memorable arrival, East Side travelers, Sag Harbor and Shelter Island.

Watch the weather — The season is short and the weather window tight; flights can be re-timed or cancelled. Seats are sold through BLADE’s pass programs, and the quoted fare usually excludes the final car leg.

On the line

BLADE (BLADEaqua) · Shoreline Aviation. Operators are listed for orientation only; this almanac sells no tickets and earns no commission.

Reading on this passage

Seaplane vs. Helicopter to the East End field note
Luggage and Bag Rules by Passage field note