By The Agency Fire Island
Fire Island is all about the water, and some of its best moments happen right along the shore. From the bayfront in Ocean Beach to the quiet nature trails farther out, the Fire Island waterfront gives you beaches, boating, sunsets, and places to eat with your feet almost in the sand. We spend our summers here and love pointing people toward the best spots. Here is where to start.
Key Takeaways
- The Ocean Beach bayfront is the easiest place to enjoy the Fire Island waterfront, with dining right on the water.
- The Great South Bay is the center of boating, sailing, and water-taxi travel between communities.
- Sailors Haven and the Sunken Forest offer a rare boardwalk through a maritime forest.
- The Fire Island Lighthouse anchors the western end near Kismet.
The Bayfront in Ocean Beach
The best place to start is the bayfront in Ocean Beach, where the Great South Bay meets the heart of town. The sunsets here are a nightly event, and the docks fill with boats through the summer. Boaters tie up for the evening, and the walkways along the water stay busy right up to sunset.
Two local spots sit right on the water, Maguire's and the Island Mermaid, both long-time favorites for a meal or a drink with a bay view. Both sit close to the ferry, so you can arrive and be on the water within minutes. This stretch is the easiest way to enjoy the Fire Island waterfront without going far.
Two local spots sit right on the water, Maguire's and the Island Mermaid, both long-time favorites for a meal or a drink with a bay view. Both sit close to the ferry, so you can arrive and be on the water within minutes. This stretch is the easiest way to enjoy the Fire Island waterfront without going far.
Where to Start Along the Ocean Beach Waterfront
- Sunset views across the Great South Bay
- Bayfront dining at Maguire's and the Island Mermaid
- Docks and boat slips in the heart of town
- Close to the Ocean Beach ferry
On the Water in the Great South Bay
To really know the Fire Island waterfront, you have to get out on the Great South Bay, the wide, protected stretch of water between the island and the mainland. The bay is the island's front yard, used for boating, sailing, paddling, and fishing all season long. Clam flats and quiet coves make the bay side feel worlds away from the ocean beaches.
Water taxis run between the communities, so you can hop from Ocean Beach to a neighboring town by boat. The calm bay side is also a good place to learn to sail or take a boat out for the day. Many owners keep a boat of their own, while the water taxi makes it easy to get from town to town without one.
Water taxis run between the communities, so you can hop from Ocean Beach to a neighboring town by boat. The calm bay side is also a good place to learn to sail or take a boat out for the day. Many owners keep a boat of their own, while the water taxi makes it easy to get from town to town without one.
Ways to Get Out on the Fire Island Waterfront
- Boating and sailing across the Great South Bay
- Water taxis between Ocean Beach and nearby communities
- Paddling and kayaking along the calmer bay side
- Fishing and clamming in the bay
Natural Waterfront to Explore
Some of the most memorable waterfront on Fire Island is the wild kind. Sailors Haven is home to the Sunken Forest, a boardwalk through a rare maritime forest set behind the dunes. The shaded boardwalk winds past holly, sassafras, and wind-shaped trees sheltered behind the dunes.
Sailors Haven is reached by its own ferry from Sayville, NY, a separate trip from the Ocean Beach route, so plan it as a day of its own. Farther east, the Watch Hill area offers a marina, a beach, and a boardwalk through the salt marsh, with a visitor center run by the national seashore.
Sailors Haven is reached by its own ferry from Sayville, NY, a separate trip from the Ocean Beach route, so plan it as a day of its own. Farther east, the Watch Hill area offers a marina, a beach, and a boardwalk through the salt marsh, with a visitor center run by the national seashore.
Nature Spots Along the Water
- The Sunken Forest at Sailors Haven, reached by the Sayville ferry
- Boardwalks through maritime forest and salt marsh
- The marina and beach at Watch Hill
- Quiet stretches of shoreline away from the villages
Beaches and the Lighthouse
No tour of the Fire Island waterfront is complete without the ocean beaches and the lighthouse. The wide Atlantic beaches at Ocean Beach and Seaview are the island's summer centerpiece. Lifeguarded stretches and open sand give you room whether you want the scene or a quiet afternoon.
To the west, the Fire Island Lighthouse stands near Kismet and Robert Moses State Park. Climbing the tower gives you a long view back across the island and the water on both sides. The lighthouse grounds also connect to miles of beach and boardwalk trails along the dunes.
To the west, the Fire Island Lighthouse stands near Kismet and Robert Moses State Park. Climbing the tower gives you a long view back across the island and the water on both sides. The lighthouse grounds also connect to miles of beach and boardwalk trails along the dunes.
Waterfront Landmarks Worth the Trip
- Atlantic beaches at Ocean Beach and Seaview
- The Fire Island Lighthouse near Kismet
- Views across the island from the lighthouse tower
- Robert Moses State Park at the western end
FAQs
What are the best waterfront spots in Ocean Beach?
The Ocean Beach bayfront is the top pick, with sunset views and dining right on the Great South Bay at Maguire's and the Island Mermaid. It is also close to the ferry, which makes it a simple first stop.
Can you get around Fire Island by boat?
Yes. Water taxis connect Ocean Beach with nearby communities across the Great South Bay, and many visitors and owners travel by private boat. The bay is the main way to move along the Fire Island waterfront.
How do you visit the Sunken Forest on Fire Island?
The Sunken Forest is at Sailors Haven, reached by its own ferry from Sayville, NY. It is a separate trip from the Ocean Beach ferry, so it is best to set aside a day for the boardwalk and the forest.
Contact Us Today
If the Fire Island waterfront has you dreaming of a place of your own, we can show you the communities and homes that put you closest to the water. We know these shores well and can help you find the right spot along the bay or the beach.
Reach out to us, The Agency Fire Island, and let us help you find your place by the water. We are ready to help you make the most of life on the island.
Reach out to us, The Agency Fire Island, and let us help you find your place by the water. We are ready to help you make the most of life on the island.
