Fire Island National Seashore is a United States National Seashore in the state of New York. Most of the Fire Island NS is on Fire Island with one section in the hamlet of Mastic Beach in the Town of Brookhaven on Long Island. Fire Island is a barrier island protecting Great South Bay and a portion of Long Island to its north.
- Park Headquarters, 120 Laurel St, Patchogue, +1 631-289-4810. M-F 9AM-4:30PM. Not a visitor center, but brochures and information are available.
In the mid-17th century, Fire Island was used as a base for whaling. Whalers would watch for spouting whales from towers, then launch their boats after them. The island also has a bit of pirate history as pirates were known to build fires on the island to attract passing boats on which to prey.
The Fire Island Lighthouse was first built in 1826 at a height of due to the large number of shipwrecks. In 1868, a new lighthouse was built to a height of 168 feet, 100 feet from the old. The foundation of the original lighthouse can still be seen today. For many immigrants the lighthouse was their first sight of land when arriving to America. In less than a century four miles of sand accumulated between the lighthouse and the western tip of the island. The island still grows at its western end and is constantly reshaped.
The state set aside part of Fire Island as a state park in 1908, making it the first state park on Long Island. In the 1920s Fire Island began its life as a Bohemian beach community. By the 1950s real estate was booming as the island became a fashionable retreat from the city. In 1964 the rest of the lands were designated the Fire Island National Seashore. In 1980 Congress set aside as the Otis Pike Wilderness area.
All barrier islands are shaped to some degree by the ocean, and that certainly applies to Fire Island. The Sunken Forest area is the result of high dunes built up on both sides of the trees which protect them and allow their protected growth. Swamp species such as red maple and sour gum are then able to thrive there. On the west end of the island new land has formed at the rate of 50 meters a year. In some areas dunes are whipped into low cliffs in one season and the cliffs later dissolved to sloping beach.
From the unassuming insectivorous sundews lurking in swales to the tops of the wind-pruned trees in the Sunken Forest, Fire Island is a varied and most interesting barrier beach ecosystem. This makes taking in a ranger-led interpretive program or tour a must. The Sunken Forest area in particular is a somewhat unusual barrier island situation with several bogs, complete with sphagnum, ferns, mosses, cattails, rushes and other wetland species.
The island is also a wonderful birdwatching (and listening!) venue. Catbirds and eastern towhees keep the music playing and yellow warblers and yellow bellied sapsuckers keep it colorful. Fire Island is a popular rest stop for migratory birds with over 300 species have been recorded here -- over one-third of the birds in North America.
There is a full array of beach dwellers as well and fishing is excellent, particularly in Great South Bay.
Fire Island has a temperate climate with expected highs in the 80s and 90s (°F) in summer and lows in the 20s and 30s in winter. The park's air temperature may be slightly cooler in summer or warmer in winter than on the mainland of Long Island. Check the weather before leaving for Fire Island as poor weather may change ferry schedules.
Park Headquarters, 120 Laurel St, Patchogue, +1 631-289-4810. M-F 9AM-4:30PM. Not a visitor center, but brochures and information are available.
- There is no entrance fee. Plan on paying for transportation, parking or use of marinas.
- Permits are necessary for: public gatherings, special events and activities, filming or photography, oversand vehicle operation, scientific research & collections, and wilderness camping.
There is no entrance fee. Plan on paying for transportation, parking or use of marinas.
Permits are necessary for: public gatherings, special events and activities, filming or photography, oversand vehicle operation, scientific research & collections, and wilderness camping.
- William Floyd Estate, Mastic Beach, Town of Brookhaven, +1 631-399-2030. Mid-Jan to late May weekends 9AM-4PM. Late May to Oct F-Su, M holidays 11AM-4PM (tours available). This off-island attraction is the plantation of a Revolutionary War General and Declaration of Independence signer. The estate includes 12 outbuildings and a cemetery. Family artifacts are displayed throughout the house.
- Fire Island Lighthouse, +1 631-661-4876. Apr–June daily 9:30AM-4PM; July through Labor Day daily 9:30AM-5PM; Jan through March daily noon-4PM. This active navigational aid offers great views of the surroundings and the Manhattan skyline. Grounds include an easy-going nature trail loop. The lighthouse and its programs are run by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. A lighthouse built in 1826, now on the National Register of Historic Places
- Sailors Haven Visitor Center, +1 631-597-6183. A 1.5-mile boardwalk provides a walkway through the famous Sunken Forest, a shady old-growth forest with hollies up to 200 years old, sassafras, and other hardwoods. The trees rarely grow above about 30 feet in height as they are constantly pruned back by the salty wind blowing over the tops of the dunes. The area has a snack bar/convenience store/gift shop, a picnic area with grills, restrooms and showers. A nice beach with lifeguards (in summer). Ranger-led interpretive programs are conducted throughout the summer months and by reservation for schools and other organized groups.
- Sailors Haven Marina, +1 631-597-6171. Electricity, water and a free boat pump-out station. Can accommodate boats with a draft to 4 feet and a 10-foot beam. A few slips can handle up to 14-foot wide vessels. Most slips have electric and water (extra fee charged). There is a 14-day limit on each stay. No reservations.
- Watch Hill Visitor Center, +1 631-597-6455. At the western edge of the Otis Pike Wilderness Area (Watch Hill Ferry). A beautiful beach (with lifeguards in summer) is a short walk from the ferries and marina. A self-guided nature trail explores the area. There is a small convenience store, pay phones, restrooms, and bathhouse.
- Watch Hill Marina, +1 631-597-3109. Can accommodate boats with a draft to 5 feet and a 10 to 13-foot beam. A few slips can handle up to 20-foot wide vessels. Most slips have electric and water (extra fee charged). There is a 14-day limit on each stay. Limited reservations will be accepted by phone on the day of arrival, after 8:30AM.
- Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center, +1 631-281-3010. Year-round parking at Smith Point County Park (fee). This gateway to the only Federally-designated wilderness in New York state has a ranger contact station, second floor viewing area and exhibit space, ranger-led interpretive programs, and a self-guided nature trail. Rangers issue permits for backcountry camping, and for recreational driving and waterfowl hunting in season.
- Barrett Beach/Talisman. Area is located near the center of Fire Island. It is across the Great South Bay from Bayport. It is only accessible by private boat and foot, and by charter ferry service from Patchogue. This is one of the narrowest parts of the island where you can walk from the bay to the ocean in five minutes. There is a dock for boaters to load and unload only, a boardwalk trail leading across the island to the ocean beach, restrooms, and a picnic area.
- The Manor of St. George, Neighborhood Rd, Shirley, NY 11967. Home of William "Tangier" Smith, first Chief Justice of New York State, museum and Revolutionary War site.
William Floyd Estate, Mastic Beach, Town of Brookhaven, +1 631-399-2030. Mid-Jan to late May weekends 9AM-4PM. Late May to Oct F-Su, M holidays 11AM-4PM (tours available). This off-island attraction is the plantation of a Revolutionary War General and Declaration of Independence signer. The estate includes 12 outbuildings and a cemetery. Family artifacts are displayed throughout the house.
Fire Island Lighthouse, +1 631-661-4876. Apr–June daily 9:30AM-4PM; July through Labor Day daily 9:30AM-5PM; Jan through March daily noon-4PM. This active navigational aid offers great views of the surroundings and the Manhattan skyline. Grounds include an easy-going nature trail loop. The lighthouse and its programs are run by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. A lighthouse built in 1826, now on the National Register of Historic Places
Sailors Haven Visitor Center, +1 631-597-6183. A 1.5-mile boardwalk provides a walkway through the famous Sunken Forest, a shady old-growth forest with hollies up to 200 years old, sassafras, and other hardwoods. The trees rarely grow above about 30 feet in height as they are constantly pruned back by the salty wind blowing over the tops of the dunes. The area has a snack bar/convenience store/gift shop, a picnic area with grills, restrooms and showers. A nice beach with lifeguards (in summer). Ranger-led interpretive programs are conducted throughout the summer months and by reservation for schools and other organized groups.
- Sailors Haven Marina, +1 631-597-6171. Electricity, water and a free boat pump-out station. Can accommodate boats with a draft to 4 feet and a 10-foot beam. A few slips can handle up to 14-foot wide vessels. Most slips have electric and water (extra fee charged). There is a 14-day limit on each stay. No reservations.
Sailors Haven Visitor Center, +1 631-597-6183. A 1.5-mile boardwalk provides a walkway through the famous Sunken Forest, a shady old-growth forest with hollies up to 200 years old, sassafras, and other hardwoods. The trees rarely grow above about 30 feet in height as they are constantly pruned back by the salty wind blowing over the tops of the dunes. The area has a snack bar/convenience store/gift shop, a picnic area with grills, restrooms and showers. A nice beach with lifeguards (in summer). Ranger-led interpretive programs are conducted throughout the summer months and by reservation for schools and other organized groups.
- Sailors Haven Marina, +1 631-597-6171. Electricity, water and a free boat pump-out station. Can accommodate boats with a draft to 4 feet and a 10-foot beam. A few slips can handle up to 14-foot wide vessels. Most slips have electric and water (extra fee charged). There is a 14-day limit on each stay. No reservations.
Watch Hill Visitor Center, +1 631-597-6455. At the western edge of the Otis Pike Wilderness Area (Watch Hill Ferry). A beautiful beach (with lifeguards in summer) is a short walk from the ferries and marina. A self-guided nature trail explores the area. There is a small convenience store, pay phones, restrooms, and bathhouse.
- Watch Hill Marina, +1 631-597-3109. Can accommodate boats with a draft to 5 feet and a 10 to 13-foot beam. A few slips can handle up to 20-foot wide vessels. Most slips have electric and water (extra fee charged). There is a 14-day limit on each stay. Limited reservations will be accepted by phone on the day of arrival, after 8:30AM.
Watch Hill Visitor Center, +1 631-597-6455. At the western edge of the Otis Pike Wilderness Area (Watch Hill Ferry). A beautiful beach (with lifeguards in summer) is a short walk from the ferries and marina. A self-guided nature trail explores the area. There is a small convenience store, pay phones, restrooms, and bathhouse.
- Watch Hill Marina, +1 631-597-3109. Can accommodate boats with a draft to 5 feet and a 10 to 13-foot beam. A few slips can handle up to 20-foot wide vessels. Most slips have electric and water (extra fee charged). There is a 14-day limit on each stay. Limited reservations will be accepted by phone on the day of arrival, after 8:30AM.
Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center, +1 631-281-3010. Year-round parking at Smith Point County Park (fee). This gateway to the only Federally-designated wilderness in New York state has a ranger contact station, second floor viewing area and exhibit space, ranger-led interpretive programs, and a self-guided nature trail. Rangers issue permits for backcountry camping, and for recreational driving and waterfowl hunting in season.
Barrett Beach/Talisman. Area is located near the center of Fire Island. It is across the Great South Bay from Bayport. It is only accessible by private boat and foot, and by charter ferry service from Patchogue. This is one of the narrowest parts of the island where you can walk from the bay to the ocean in five minutes. There is a dock for boaters to load and unload only, a boardwalk trail leading across the island to the ocean beach, restrooms, and a picnic area.
The Manor of St. George, Neighborhood Rd, Shirley, NY 11967. Home of William "Tangier" Smith, first Chief Justice of New York State, museum and Revolutionary War site.
- Sightseeing, hiking, and wildlife-viewing.
- Canoeing, kayaking, boating, and fishing.
- Interpretive programs (schedules vary by season).
- Swimming -- lifeguards are on duty at Watch Hill and Sailors Haven from late-June through Labor Day.
Sailors Haven and Watch Hill visitor centers have small places to buy food. There are no "sit down" restaurants within the park. See Fire Island for places to eat outside the park.
Stay on marked trails so as avoid poison ivy and ticks. Deer ticks can be carriers of Lyme Disease. To protect yourself, wear insect repellent, dress in light colored clothing, and check carefully for ticks after exposure.