Wait times for Ellis island/SOL ferry

The general consensus on here seems to be that the earlier the better is the best time to set off for Ellis Island to avoid long lines. Does it make that much difference to waiting times?

I want to combine my trip to the Island and SOL with a day spent exploring downtown. My preference is to spend a couple of hours in the morning walking the area, getting breakfast etc and generally mooching around, perhaps boarding the ferry around 11.30.

Am I going to have to wait in line for a much longer at that time than, say, two or thee hours earlier?

I shall be visting in late March. Grateful for any advice.

Wait times for Ellis island/SOL ferry

Probably yes. More importantly, most report the visit to both SOL and Ellis Island takes 4-6 hrs. so if you ';mooch around'; all morning, your visit to the islands may turn out to be rushed. Do it in reverse. Do the trip first and mooch after with whatever time you have left.