The New York City Pro Swim course, in the shadow of lower Manhattan and across the harbor from the Statue of Liberty, is a four-loop circuit along the northwestern side of historic Governors Island.

The original home of New Amsterdam, and later a military base for nearly two centuries, Governors Island is now a popular park, visited by thousands of New Yorkers every weekend over the summer. This island venue offers swimmers and spectators a unique New York experience, along with spectacular views of Lower Manhattan, New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty.

Swimmers will enter the water just north of Castle Williams and swim south to the entryway of the loop zone, in which swimmers will pass the old Officer’s Club, Mariners House, and family barracks. A turnaround at the southwestern end positions swimmers for the return along the fortification’s seawall.

After completing their fourth loop, the swimmers will return to the starting area for the event's exciting conclusion, where the difference between the top swimmers is often less than a second!