Fire Island
(Long Island, NY)
Fire Island is one of the most peaceful, yet exciting places on Long Island.
From the tranquil wilderness area on the eastern end to the vibrant, seaside communities to the west, there’s something here for everyone.
Located on Long Island’s south shore, Fire Island is roughly 31 miles long, about a half a mile wide at it’s widest, and just a few hundred feet wide at it’s narrowest.
Fire Island’s warmth, beauty and serenity become apparent immediately after stepping off the ferry.
You’ll feel yourself slowing down, breathing deeper and smiling more. The scarcity of motor vehicles on Fire Island seems to reinforce the effect.
But slowing down doesn’t mean boring. Fire Island is loaded with natural attractions, bars, restaurants, beaches and shops, so you and your family will have plenty to see and do.
There are 17 or so unique communities on the island that swell with residents and tourists each summer. There are even two gay communities that draw thousands of visitors every year.
Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines are well known for their predominately gay population and sometimes outrageous nightlife. But, if you’re straight, these communities are still well worth visiting for their beautiful architecture, well kept homes and excellent restaurants.
Although most of the people you’ll meet on Fire Island are either locals or summer residents, visitors come from around the world. It is not uncommon to hear people speaking in foreign, sometimes unidentifiable (by me anyway) languages.
Map courtesy of the National Park Service. Right click and save for detailed map.
Major Attractions
When you have 31 continuous miles of the finest sand in the world, of course the beach is going to be one of the main attractions however, a lot people do visit just for night life or to get away for a day without going near the beach.
The Fire Island Lighthouse is stunning. First lit in 1858, the beam is visible for 24 miles. Lighthouse tours are given daily on the hour and they actually let you walk around outside on the catwalk!
Kismet is just a short walk east from the lighthouse. This little appetizer of a town is a good introduction to Fire Island and will make you want to see more.
Atlantique marina and beach is popular destination for day trippers and weekend boaters.
The Sunken Forest at Sailor’s Haven is a 250+ year old maritime forest nestled between two large dunes that give it the appearance of being below sea level. On the 1.5 mile boardwalk you’ll wind your way through a forest so beautiful it almost makes me cry.
Sailor’s Haven also hosts a snack bar, gift/supply shop, visitor center, marina, and public bathing and bathroom facilities.
Ocean Beach is probably the most popular town on Fire Island. It has more bars, shops, and restaurants than any other community, so this is the spot for nightlife, dining and shopping. There’s even a movie theater.
Davis Park is the easternmost community on Fire Island. A short walk west from Watch Hill, this family oriented, yet fun community is the home of the famous Casino restaurant, the only restaurant on fire Island facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Watch Hill is a much larger version Sailor’s Haven and is located much further east. Visit watch Hill instead of Sailor’s Haven if you live near or east of Patchogue. Be sure to visit the Casino restaurant in Davis Park when you get hungry.
Taste of Fire Island is a seasonal program promoted by the ferry company and several Fire Island restaurants. Pay one price for dinner, ferry and parking.
What to bring
If you going to spend time on the Fire Island beaches bring everything you would normally
bring for a beach outing and make sure you bring warm clothes for nighttime.
You may also want to bring a canvas bag for shell collecting or to keep the goodies you pick up at the various Fire Island shops.
Getting there
There are two ways to get to Fire Island: By car via Robert Moses State Park field 5, or by
ferry. Car is fine if you’re just visiting the lighthouse, otherwise ferry is the way
to go.
The Sayville Ferry goes to Fire Island Pines, Cherry Grove, Sunken Forest/Sailor’s Haven and Water Island.
The Bay Shore Ferry will get you to Ocean Beach and all towns between Kismet and Ocean Bay Park.
The Davis Park Ferry services Davis Park and Watch Hill only.
The Watch Hill Ferry (631-475-1665) is run by the National Park Service and only goes to Watch Hill.
Getting around on is usually done by foot. A lot of people use bicycles and if you really have to go far you can call the Fire Island Water Taxi, 631-665-8885.
Best time to visit
The best time of year to visit Fire Island is between Memorial Day (End of May) and Labor
day (beginning of September.)
Important Stuff
Respect Privacy
Fire Island is populated by a large number of summer and full time residents. Their homes
are beautiful, sometimes whimsical, and that makes them very interesting. Please respect
their privacy by staying on the board walks and out of their yards. Keeping the noise level
down is appreciated too. Thanks!
Stay Off The Sand dunes
The dunes on Fire Island are very fragile and once eroded are extremely difficult to
restore.
For the most part Fire Island is really just
one giant sand dune, so no dunes, no island.
Dunes are formed when blowing sand is trapped by beach grass. The root systems of these plants migrate through the trapped sand holding it together.
Walking on the dunes crushes the roots and can release large amounts sand from the dune. The resulting scar will erode further in wind and rain.
There are cuts through the dunes in each town that allow transit from bay to ocean, please use them and help preserve Fire Island.
Besides, you really don’t want to get caught on the dunes. You will incur a wrath like no other by the person who catches you, be fined by the local police, and probably come home with a good case of poison ivy.
Stay Away From Piping Plovers
Piping Plovers are an endangered shore bird that nests on Fire Island. They lay eggs on the
sand in shallow nests lined with small stones and shells. On the beaches near the dunes you
will see roped off plover nesting areas with signs explaining that it is a federal offense
to disturb these nests.
Musings
I have a lot of favorite places on Long Island, but Fire Island is definitely my favorite of favorites. For me it just doesn’t get any better than this, but it’s hard for me to explain why.
Maybe it’s the ocean. No matter where you are on Fire Island you can hear the surf. At night it’s ghostly, but comforting. In the early morning calm it seems to beckon.
The first thing I do in the morning is grab my coffee and walk down to the beach. I can’t help it, I have to go. And I’m not the only one who does this.
There are others and we recognize each other. As if members of a secret society, we exchange a look that seems to say, "Ah, you’re going down to the ocean aren’t you?"
There’s just something about the calm, early morning ocean that pulls us in.
Or maybe it’s the people. It seems as though everyone is your friend on Fire Island. I attribute this to a lack of stress on the island.
Almost everyone is on vacation and in such an amazingly beautiful place what’s there to be nasty about? On Fire Island, more than any other place on Long Island, laughter is the sound heard most often.
Maybe it’s the short season. The island is "open" all year long and there are a good number of full time residents, but for the most part it’s deserted during the winter.
Things don’t really start hopping until the end of Memorial Day and by Labor Day it’s all but over. 15 weeks folks, that’s all we get.
After that the weather is unpredictable and a lot of things are closed. The ferries are still running so you can stretch the season. But even though it’s still warm out you can almost feel winter and the burden it brings closing in.
The excitement is gone and the season is over (the locals are grateful.) The feel is very different after Labor Day…
Well, I can’t figure why it’s my favorite of favorites, but Fire Island is a place that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Is it your favorite place too? Why not write and tell me why?
Additional Information
FireIsland.com - The complete guide to Fire Island beaches, hotels, restaurants, real estate and more.
Your Fire Island Story - Tell us your favorite story and read what others have sent in.
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