Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Rockaway's Boatel Is Back: What To Expect If You Book A Stay
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 23, 2012
Modified Jul 23, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 14
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 23, 2012
Modified Jul 23, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last year we ventured out to the new Rockaway spot Boatel, and its abandoned ships at Marina 59 are back again this season, with vacancies available through November 1st. Photographer Sam Horine was there earlier this summer, and he gave us the rundown, along with some pointers.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Don't expect to swim: "I mean you could swim but the water was fairly brackish right off the docks." Horine adds, "It's pretty much a no-rules hotel, so if there were loud people there and you wanted to sleep, it might be tough, although you could also rent a boat that was further away from the central dock where pretty much all the hanging out happens." Don't expect luxury accommodations—"it's pretty rustic and 'fend for yourself' but if you're into that kind of thing then it's totally awesome, and you certainly can't beat the price to get out of the city for the night." It's also worth noting that their Floating Cinema shows movies on some nights (screening schedule here).
THE BOATS "The boats are all one of a kind and are each receiving personalizations from local artists—our boat had a very Caribbean red leather theme, other boats had 70s disco theme, and others were decked out with paper mermaids. We had a great time on the Sweet Annisa, which was billed as the only one with power although we found that all of the boats had power. If I were going to stay there again, which i totally would, I'd pick the houseboat since it's the largest of the boats with the most comfortable sleeping quarters."
WHAT TO BRING: Bug spray—"some of the boats have screens in the windows but others don't and since it's the summer and there isn't any AC on the boats it can get hot and sticky." Also bring food and drinks—"there's a grill and central 'living room' dock for communal hanging."
GETTING THERE: You can take public transportation, but it's "definitely easiest to drive there—drive or zipcar or get a taxi at the train station." The marina is in a "fairly sketchy neighborhood," which means you probably don't want to roam around off the docks too much after dark, either.
The abandoned boats start at $55 a night, running up to $105. Click through to get a look at the place as it looks this year—this afternoon Boatel's Angie Kang told us, "I think it’s pretty different from last year’s project," adding, "We like to encourage everyone to create their own experience."
Tagged
boatel
sam horine
original
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 12:43 p.m. ET
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .