Growing up, I was lucky enough to spend my summers exploring around this magical barrier island to Long Island. With my family’s Italian restaurant as a home base I was able to run barefoot and wild, building forts, exploring the abundant natural forests, and bike riding up and down the beautiful boardwalks.
Cars are not allowed on Fire Island making it a family-friendly destination and a wonderful place to grow up wild and free.
↑ There are several passenger ferries that operate out of Bay Shore and Sayville which is one of my favorite parts of the Fire Island experience. Each ferry services different parts of the island and you can either sit down below if you prefer to stay warm or sit up top and let the wind blow through your hair and sunshine kiss your faces. We typically start our adventure in Ocean Beach but Davis Park, Kismet, and Cherry Grove are also lovely and all have their own unique character.
↑ Barrier Beach
Fire Island is a 31-mile barrier island just off the southern coast of Long Island with The Great South Bay on one side and The Atlantic Ocean on the other. Its very close proximity to NYC combined with its picturesque and often quiet beaches, sweet little neighborhoods, lovely rental homes, natural wonder, and vibrant nightlife make this a beloved summer vacation spot for New Yorkers. The island is about a mile wide so you can easily walk from the bay coast to the ocean coast and the towns are all accessible by beach or a maze of wooden walkways which weave throughout the island.
PLAY
↑ The Beaches
Fire Island is the ideal location if you’re looking for some relaxation in the heart of one of the most beautiful natural sanctuaries in New York. The beaches are truly incredible and you can always find a nice quiet spot. The deeply beautiful white sand dunes and uncrowded beaches are the reason people have been coming here since the 1960s. If you’ve got a lot of energy you can even walk all the way down the island to the Lighthouse. This is a truly secluded part of the island and is the perfect place for a little romantic getaway with a loved one. In fact, my uncle asked my aunt to marry him in this very place.
↑ Sunken Forest
Sunken Forest is probably my favorite part of the island. This incredible rare ecological community is absolutely teeming with greenery and natural life. The Sunken Forest Nature Trail is a 1.6-mile loop that is half paved and half boardwalk. The boardwalk passes through the actual Sunken Forest, while the paved path runs through the swale, the depression between the main and secondary sand dunes at Sailors Haven. The surfing is incredible and I could spend days looking at all the interesting plants and breathing in the fresh air. The Sunken Forest is truly a magical and mysterious hidden gem.
↑ Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is the hub of western Fire Island and has more of everything. It’s home to over a dozen restaurants and attractions such as festivals, live bands, shops and boutiques, and more services than anywhere else on the island. There’s a buzzing nightlife scene with music and dancing until all hours while still keeping its reputation of being a great family destination. A life guarded bay beach, as well as an ocean and a private boat basin, can also be found here. There are two tennis courts, two basketball courts, a bayfront playground, and a ball field. The marina has long term, visitors, and jet ski docking.
EAT
Fire Island has a lot of yummy little eateries and you can always find a delicious egg sandwich for breakfast or classic stacked New York deli sandwich for lunch. Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park are a little bit more of a party scene and have some very fun restaurant and bars that serve up delicious fresh seafood and the vacation cocktail of your dreams. Although I’m not usually a big drinker, I always indulge in Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, or Mudslide when I’m on Fire Island. Those blended drinks just call my name when spending time in this beautiful beachy paradise.
↑ Flynn’s, Ocean Bay Park
Located right on the bay in Ocean Bay Park, Flynn’s is a Fire Island classic and has been a local favorite for decades. They’ve got live music on most nights, a quality menu, and a marina that you can pull your boat right up to. I love this little gem and always take the time to enjoy a drink, classic shrimp cocktail, and some fresh raw oysters here whenever I visit.
↑ Top of the Bay, Cherry Grove
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, Cherry Grove is the place for you. Top of the Bay has a great happy hour from 4:30-6:30. The incredible views in the dining room combined with a creative menu, top notch service, and live music makes for an elegant night in paradise. Sandcastle is another great option for beachside eating with all the vacation classics from lobster, to fried fish, to clam chowder and all sorts of yummy salads.
STAY
↑ Dunepoint, Cherry Grove
The island has some sweet hotel options such as Dunepoint in Cherry Grove, The Palms in Ocean Beach, or The Madison in Fire Island Pines, but spending the weekend in your own little island bungalow is ideal and often more cost effective. I highly recommend renting a house through AirBNB or VRBO.
This is a truly magical little strip of heaven and I recommend getting yourself a map and taking some time to explore without a timeline. There’s a whole lot of beauty on this island just waiting to be discovered.