Sante Scardillo swims daily in the Red Hook channel.

A Unique Sanctuary in Upper New York Bay

A thrill-seeking resident of Little Italy has transformed the murky waters of Upper New York Bay, often littered by Staten Island Ferries, into his personal escape.

Sante Scardillo, who didn’t share his exact age but hinted that he qualifies for MTA discounts, swims in these choppy waters from June to November, donning only a swimsuit and swimming cap.

“On especially cold days, occasionally I might swim twice,” he stated.

Recently, while swimming, he caught the attention of a passing boat full of passengers who joked they could hardly see him. “Well, you saw me!” he responded, recalling the lighthearted moment before his final swim of the season.

Though swimming in New York’s waterways might be discouraged, it’s technically not illegal.

Scardillo began his daily swimming routine 30 years ago, but only ventured into New York’s waters after city pools closed during the 2020 pandemic. “The Ionian Sea in Puglia, where I learned to swim, is as clear as the Caribbean,” he noted, mentioning how different this environment is.

Adapting to the murkiness of New York was a bit challenging. “When you’re immersed in the water, you’re in your own zone—then something brushes against you and snaps you back to reality,” he said.

He described one of his scarier moments: a wooden plank hitting his head while a shark swam below him. Yet, he recognizes that the threats are not just from marine life.

“Most NYC waters are generally safe to swim in, even during dry spells,” explained Em Ruby from Riverkeeper, an environmental organization focused on protecting the city’s waterways. But after storms, untreated sewage can be a real concern. “You could get sick,” Ruby advised, suggesting waiting a day and a half post-storm to swim.

Despite that, Scardillo has never fallen ill from his outdoor swimming. “The typical New Yorker perceives it as dangerous. Personally, I’ve never had an issue,” he remarked, although he candidly added, “It’s not for those who need frequent breaks.”

He brings a buoy while swimming to alert boaters. “My best ideas come to me while I’m swimming,” he shared, expressing a sense of calmness in the activity.

“When the sun sets, and the tide is low, it’s stunning—the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan’s skyline in the background with the Verrazano Bridge in view. It feels beautiful, and sometimes I think people just need a break from everyday life,” he reflected.