Fire Island awaits your arrival, with its pristine sand dune beaches, dazzling nightlife, fine dining, and striking scenery that will take your breath away. Fire Island boasts an amazing variety of activities, whether you are searching for sheer relaxation, fun, or adventure, Fire Island has something for everyone.
Ocean Bay Park
Home of infamous Flynn's bar, a serious drinking and all night dancing establishment. This small town can get quite lively. Restaurants and grocery store make this a convenient choice for all types, although recently the town has been undergoing a renaissance as families have been starting to outnumber the singles. As a result, housing prices (which typically lagged the rest of the island) have been quickly catching up.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach has an abundance of restaurants and bars, it boasts a fantastic nightlife while maintains a popular destination for families. Where ever you stay, this is a must visit location even if only for the day.
Robert Moses State Park
Attached to the mainland by the Robert Moses Causeway. Offers incredible surf fishing, public parks, and facilities. With the correct permit and vehicle you can drive on the beach.
Things to Do
Bored? Never on Fire Island! Fire Island has activities for everyone, including camping, hiking, observing wildlife, surfing, boating, and swimming, and of course, places to eat, drink, and be merry!
Since there are many fun and relaxing things to do on this beautiful island, FireIsland.com wants to make sure you don't miss out on anything. Be sure to visit two of Fire Island's top attractions -- the Sunken Forest and the Fire Island Lighthouse.
Recreation opportunities include surfing, boating, camping and miles of scenic hiking trails.
Fire Island Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, red fox and many species of birds.
Sunken Forest
Maintained by The Fire Island National Seashore, this unique area is one of the last remaining maritime forests on the eastern seaboard. It earned its name because it appears lower than the surrounding water. The forest is not actually below sea level -- the high surrounding sand dunes that protect this environment create the illusion of being lower than sea level.
The Sunken Forest spans approximately 40 acres, so there is plenty to see. You can walk for miles up and down the roller coaster boardwalks that carry you over two rows of sand dunes. The Sunken Forest consists primarily of American holly, sassafras, and shadblow. Some trees are estimated to be well over 200 years old.
This naturally preserved wilderness is abundant with hardwood groves, dunes, swamps, and marshland. Serious hikers, bird watchers, and ecologists find this part of the island absolutely fascinating. With several ecosystems, there is plenty of diversity in the flora and wildlife. While walking through the forest, be sure to look up -- the twisted canopy is the forest's most intriguing attribute.
The parks department provides guided tours during the summer season.
Sunken Forest is located in Sailors Haven, a great Fire Island day trip destination. For more on Sunken Forest and Sailors Haven click on the links below.
Sailors Haven
http://www.nps.gov/fiis/sftour/tourintro.htm
Fire Island Lighthouse
Fire Island's most historically significant landmark was built in 1857 to protect ocean voyaging ships from running ashore on the island. In 1987, the state rebuilt the Fire Island Lighthouse as a museum and observatory. It can be reached from the Bay Shore ferry line or a short walk across the Robert Moses Crossway. Although the Fire Island Light was extinguished in 1974, its history shines bright. Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society and National Park Service are responsible for the lighthouse restoration and preservation.
For more info Visit the links below:
History of the Fire Island Lighthouse
Fire Island Lighthouse Area
Fire Island Park Department
Camping
Fire Island National Seashore provides limited camping facilities. There is one seasonal campground, accessible only by ferry, private boat, or on foot from elsewhere on the island, with tents-only sites and a lottery for reservations.
Otis Pike Fire Island Wilderness
Federal protected wilderness area on the eastern 7-mile portion of Fire Island. This 1300-acre preserve covers from Watch Hill to Smith Point. Camping is permitted and wildlife is abundant.
Smith Point/Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center
Watch Hill Campground
Tents only with running water, grills, showers, bathrooms and you can bring your pet. Accessible only by ferry, by private boat, or by hiking from elsewhere on Fire Island. Open mid-May through mid-October. Cost is $20 and reservations must be done through a lottery in April which allocates campsites for the season.
Phone: 631-597-6633
Click here for more Info on the Watch Hill Campground
BirdWatching
Fire Island is one of the best places in the New York area for birdwatching. Its diverse habitats support a great variety of birds throughout the year, and it is a prime "rest stop" for birds on migration. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded on this thin strip of land, around 1/3 of all the birds found in North America!
Surfing
Fire Island is a barrier island that creates great surfing, especially during the hurricane season when the waves have been known to exceed ten feet. A series of sandbars and jetties enable variations in the island's surf conditions.
The best breaks: Sandbar breaks can be found in Atlantique, Point o' Woods, and Smith Point. For a steeper, faster wave, surfers head to the ocean beach jetties. There is an east and west jetty, both with quality waves and a fantastic section in the middle of the two. The middle section is only surfable before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. when lifeguards are off duty. The outer areas are reserved for surfing -- when the swell is good, it's the place to be.
Fishing
Fishing is fantastic around the shores and off the docks of Fire Island. There are a few ways to approach fishing on the island.
Surfcasting is a fun way to fish as you can cast directly into the swift-moving schools of blues and stripers right off the beach into the Atlantic. On the other shore of the island, the Bay provides an abundance of fluke, flounder, blues, stripers, crabs, and more. Bay fishing is best accessible by boat, however, the community docks have been known to be quite productive at times. The best times for fishing are early mornings, late afternoon, and nighttime.
If you don't have a boat, there are many charter services that will provide you with excellent offshore fishing around the Fire Island area. See the Fire Island business directory for more information on charter boats.
Clamming
Clams are to Fire Island what maple syrup is to Vermont. Abundant, fresh, and fun to gather, clamming is a great activity for anyone visiting Fire Island. There are a few strategies used when clamming. While many use the rake and boat approach, longtime locals are more familiar with the foot and toe method. Just walk out in the bay, dig your feet into the sand, and feel for the bump. When you feel that smooth and hard rock-like shell, reach down and pull it out. Here at FireIsland.com, we suggest everyone tries this method of clamming at least once. It's a therapeutic and enlightening experience.
For Kids
Wagoning
Fire Island is famous for its wagons. When landing on Fire Island, one will undoubtedly be approached by the local and summer youth prospecting the use of their wagon. Don't be afraid -- they are just trying to make a few bucks to buy some overpriced ice cream. If you have children and want them to learn the value of a day's work, get a wagon and have them wait by the ferry for the weekend crowds. It's a great way for your children to learn the value of a dollar and interact with other island children.
Shell decorating and sales
Fire Island has 30 miles of shell-covered beaches. Shell collecting and decorating can be a great pastime for children as well as adults. To increase the fun while giving your children some business experience, send them out to the nearest walk with a table full of their newly decorated, priced-to-sell shells. Make sure your children flash their puppy dog eyes -- they will surely make a few bucks.
Youth groups and camps
Fire Island offers several camps and youth groups. The best-known camp on Fire Island is the Ocean Beach Youth Group. These camps offer instruction in sailing, swimming, windsurfing, sports, arts and crafts, and nature. Camp is a great way to spend the summer and meet other Fire Island kids. For contact information, see the FireIsland.com business directory.
A few tips when visiting Fire Island.
Fire Island is at its most beautiful in the summer when the scenery beckons visitors outdoors. As you depart the urban jungle and embark on your journey to the "wilds" of Fire Island, you should be mindful of a few things. Safety is not reserved for the big city, however on the shore there are other issues one should be aware of, some just plain common sense, and others…. well, you decide.
Just as mom always told us, never walk on the boardwalk barefoot, or you will end up with splinters.
Stay on marked trails or you will expose yourself to 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 your body very carefully for ticks.
Needless to say - sun block is an essential for yourself and your children.
Don't be reckless in the water. When boating, adhere to all regulations and wear lifejackets or lifebelts. Do not speed, and be extremely cautious in the channels and marina areas.
Never feed the wild animals. Their behavior can be unpredictable and food will only lure them towards people. Don't worry; Mother Nature does take care of her own. Enjoy the wildlife from a distance.
Don't forget to bring:
Insect repellent, light clothing, baseball hat, long tent stakes if camping, binoculars, sun block, and lots of aspirin
