A pizza truck can reach your Shelter Island party on either car ferry, neither of which takes reservations, so the last boat of the night is the time to plan your party around.
The island's two car ferries are run by separate companies. North Ferry runs between Greenport and Shelter Island, and South Ferry runs between North Haven and Shelter Island. Each publishes its own schedule and truck rates, and the figures below are from their pages as read on October 27, 2026. Here is what each ferry charges, when the last boats leave, and how to plan a backyard party on Shelter Island around them.
How much does the ferry cost a pizza truck?
The price follows the truck's overall length. North Ferry sets truck prices by overall length, axles and weight, counts the cab and any overhang in the length, and charges a standard pickup or passenger van under 22 feet the auto rate. South Ferry charges a truck under 22 feet the auto rate too, and a truck of 22 feet or more its length in feet minus 2 dollars.
| Ferry | Vehicle | One-way price |
|---|---|---|
| North Ferry | Pickup or passenger van under 22 feet | $16.00 |
| North Ferry | Two-axle truck, such as a box truck or flatbed | $16.00 for the first 18 feet, then $1.29 for each added foot |
| South Ferry | Truck under 22 feet | $18.00 |
| South Ferry | Truck 22 feet or longer | $20.00 at 22 feet, $24.00 at 26 feet, $28.00 at 30 feet |
A truck that comes and goes the same day matters here. South Ferry lists round trips, such as $27.00 for a truck under 22 feet and $40.00 at 22 feet, and North Ferry lists its truck prices one way only. For heavy vehicles, North Ferry says very heavy vehicles with low clearance may have to wait for high tide, and South Ferry prices vehicles over 80,000 pounds gross, or needing special handling, by agreement.
Ask any caterer for the truck's overall length and axle count, and ask whether the ferry fare is a line in the quote.
Do you need a ferry reservation for a pizza truck?
No. North Ferry says there are no reservations and traffic boards first come, first served, and South Ferry gives the same answer. A truck lines up with every other vehicle and boards in order. The driver pays on board: North Ferry takes cash or checks, and South Ferry says credit cards are not accepted, with an ATM near each dock.
Boats leave North Ferry every 8 to 15 minutes and South Ferry every 10 to 15 minutes. Neither schedule page gives a crossing time, and North Ferry's directions page describes the South Ferry as a 4 minute crossing. North Ferry adds that departures can be delayed by weather, traffic and ambulance stand-by.
When is the last boat to and from Shelter Island?
Both ferries send their last boat from Shelter Island at 11:45 pm Sunday through Thursday, and the times run later on Fridays and Saturdays.
| Ferry and night | Last boat from Shelter Island | Last boat to Shelter Island |
|---|---|---|
| North Ferry, most nights | 11:45 pm | 12:00 midnight (from Greenport) |
| North Ferry, Friday and Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day | 12:45 am | 1:00 am (from Greenport) |
| South Ferry, Sunday through Thursday | 11:45 pm | 11:50 pm (from North Haven) |
| South Ferry, Friday and Saturday | 1:45 am | 1:50 am (from North Haven) |
Check the posted schedule the week of your party. North Ferry's office is open Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 and Saturday from 9 to 1 at (631) 749-0139, and South Ferry's office number is (631) 749-1200.
How do you plan a Shelter Island party around the last boat?
Work backward from the last boat. Our truck arrives 30 minutes to an hour before service, service runs two hours on the 24-pizza package and three hours on the larger packages, and cleanup takes 30 minutes. A party whose service ends at 10:30 pm has the truck packed by about 11:00 pm, which is 45 minutes ahead of the 11:45 pm last boat from the island.
Add the wait in the ferry line and the crossing to that margin, and ask your caterer what time the truck needs to leave your address to make the boat. Your guests and any other vendors face the same last boat, so set the party's end time with it in mind. You supply the driveway or the lawn, and the truck does the rest.
We bring the wood-fired oven to Shelter Island. See our backyard party pizza catering page, then book the truck or call or text (631) 538-7596. Send your date, headcount and address and Mikey will tell you which package fits.
