Sands Point Seaplane Base

Did a seaplane once hold the key to a luxurious Long Island commute? Here at the Sands Point Seaplane Base, it certainly did. Imagine a time when the elite of Port Washington didn’t just drive or sail, they flew. Sands Point Seaplane Base, also known by a few other names over the years – Port Washington Seaplane Base, New York Seaplane Base, and Tom’s Point Seaplane Base – has a rich history. It all began in the early 20th century. By 1929, the American Aeronautical Corporation had laid the cornerstone for the New York Seaplane Airport, a precursor to what we see today. This wasn’t just a local affair. In the late 1930s, before LaGuardia’s Marine Air Terminal, Sands Point played a pivotal role in transatlantic travel. Pan Am used Port Washington as its New York base for its Boeing 314 Clipper flights, those magnificent flying boats. They even had hangars on Manhasset Bay. After Pan Am moved on, Grumman took up residence, utilizing the base for its own seaplanes. The Sands Point Seaplane Base as we know it was officially activated in 1948. Today, it boasts two 6,000-foot water runways, accommodating seaplanes that dock in Manhasset Bay. A water taxi ferries pilots and passengers to and from the shore. The base has witnessed its share of drama. In 1939, a tragic accident involving an Imperial Airways Short S.23 Empire flying boat, en route from Sands Point to Bermuda, resulted in three fatalities. The aircraft crashed into the Atlantic due to engine failures caused by ice. So, the next time you see a seaplane gracefully landing on the waters of Manhasset Bay, remember the legacy of Sands Point Seaplane Base. It’s more than just a landing strip; it’s a window into a fascinating chapter of aviation history.