Fire Island South Shore, New York

Fire Island: Communities

Fire Island communities at a glance, going West to East.

Kismet

Kismet, largely a place for singles , has plenty of never-ending happy hours and dancing, but it may be known best for its house party scene. The community is made up of summer shares and residents who co-exist rather well together. Kismet is the closest town to Robert Moses Beach, making it one of the few destinations reachable without a boat. Park in Field 5 at RoMo and walk about 15 minutes. Kismet features a pair of restaurants, The Inn and The Out, along with a liquor store and market. There's a 100-slip commercial marina that is usually packed with boaters. Consider Kismet a scaled-down, quieter version of Ocean Beach. Ferry service leaves from Bay Shore.
• Kismet ferry schedule

Saltaire

Day trippers looking for a relaxing and peaceful place can get it in Saltaire. It's more family oriented than other communities, and includes a summer day camp for children 14 and under, plus softball and basketball leagues. There's also a lending library for quiet beach reading. Keep an eye out for the annual bluegrass festival, too. The Saltaire Yacht Club also features regattas and sailing instruction. There's little in terms of commercial places because of zoning regulations, but there is a liquor store, food market and post office. Saltaire is the second largest community on Fire Island and sits on the widest area on the map. Ferry service leaves from Bay Shore.
• Saltaire ferry schedule

Fair Harbor

This small community mixes both the single crowd and vacationing families. It's considered by the many Manhattanites who travel here a safeland away from the daily hustle of city life. The Dock is an acclaimed restaurant and bar with breathtaking views of Great South Bay. There are lifeguards on both the bay and ocean sides of this town. Keep an eye out for Fair Harbor's annual arts and crafts fair. Ferry service leaves from Bay Shore.
• Fair Harbor ferry schedule

Dunewood

A tiny, family-oriented town, Dunewood actually banned group rentals to maintain its atmosphere. No restaurants, bars or stores either. But, there is a yacht club! Daytrippers can hide out here for the day, then walk a few paces into Fair Harbor for some action. Ferry service leaves from Bay Shore.
• Dunewood ferry schedule

Atlantique

The narrowest part of Fire Island offers little for the daytrippers looking for something more than a marina. Atlantique is a quiet, family place, but is within a nice walk of Fire Island hot spot Ocean Beach. Ferry service leaves from Bay Shore.
• Atlantique ferry schedule

Robbins Rest

Another secluded-craving nook on Fire Island. There's not much here for the daytripper or weekender. There's no direct ferry service to Robbins Rest. Instead, take the Ocean Beach ferry out of Bay Shore and work your way to Robbins Rest. It's not far at all.

Ocean Beach

If Fire Island were its own state or country, Ocean Beach would be its capital. Read our daytripper's guide to Ocean Beach.
• Ocean Beach ferry schedule

Seaview

Stuck in between Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park, Seaview capitalizes on the best of what Fire Island has to offer. It's got the peaceful village feel with a great beach and is within a half-mile walk of the party and dining scenes in its neighboring villages. Seaview has its own liquor store, food store, and ice cream shop. Also in Seaview is a private marina, a terrific bay-front playground with a wading pool, tennis courts, basketball courts and softball fields. Seaview is home to Fire Island's only Synagogue, which also runs a youth program and holds many Fire Island community activities. Ferry service leaves from Bay Shore.
• Seaview ferry schedule

Ocean Bay Park

Within steps of the ferry dock is a modest commercial block featuring several restaurants and food stores including the Schooner Inn, Beach Street Pizza & Grille, The Park Pizza and Inn Between. A little further down the road is Flynn's, a serious party place.

The Schooner Inn also houses one of Fire Island's few bike shops. Bike, kayak and boat rentals are available. Just don't combine that with the daily 5-7 p.m. happy hour. Flynn's has the that same happy hour and reggae bands on its deck every Sunday at 5 p.m.

Ocean Bay Park is populated by many summer beach house shares. It's got a young crowd not afraid to have a good time. The Sea Shore Condo Motel (631-583-5860) caters mainly toward couples and has four rooms for rent on a weekly or weekend basis for $595. It's located on Bay Walk at the midpoint of Flynn's and the ferry dock. Ferry service leaves from Bay Shore.
• Ocean Bay Park ferry schedule

Point o' Woods

Running through Fire Island's oldest community is the area's only train track. It's a little rail that helps transport goods from one part of town to the other. Point o' Woods, a self-contained private town has a store, kids camps, its own ferry line, 10 tennis courts and a few fields. A high metal fence separates Point O' Woods from Ocean Bay Park, adding to its private nature. We don't recommend trying to scale the fence, regardless of how many drinks you threw down at Flynn's. If you manage to infiltrate this privacy treasuring community, you'll enjoy its beauty. Ferry service leaves from Bay Shore.

Sailor's Haven

No homes in this place. It's strictly for boaters, daytrippers and weekenders. Maintained by the National Seashore, Sailors Haven provides access to Sunken Forest (a must-see), a great beach and several picnic areas.

Cherry Grove

Perhaps the most well-known community, Cherry Grove is the center of gay culture and expressiveness on Fire Island. Considered by many to be the nation's first and oldest gay community, Cherry Grove's pride can be understoon perfectly with its Miss Fire Island contest, a popular drag queen beauty pageant.

Restaurants
• Floyd's - gourmet sandwich shop.
• Cherry Grove Pizza - take a guess, 631-597-6766
• Rachel's/Jack's Place - oceanfront, 631-597-4174
• Burger Queen (Joseph's) - grocery plus grill, 631-597-9210
• Cherry's Pit - restaurant/bar, 631-597-6820
• Top of the Bay - expensive but good steak, pasta and fish, 631-597-6699
Bars/Clubs
• Ice Palace - the premier nightspot with pool, lounge, hot dance floor, theme nights, drag shows and billiards, 631-597-6600.
• Sunsets - popular with straight visitors from elsewhere, theme nights, female impersonators every Sunday night (with female strippers the last Sunday of each month), male strippers every Saturday night, occasional stand-up comedy, drag shows, light snacks; 631-597-9663.
• Cherry's - great sunset views on the bay, 631-597-6820.

Artistic expression is big in Cherry Grove, most notably in the murals, mosaics and paintings done by locals. Galleries, theatrical productions and live entertainment help make Cherry Grove distinct. Oh yeah, the beach at Cherry Grove allows nude sunbathing. Ferry service leaves from Sayville.

Pines

The largest town on Fire Island is comprised mainly of shares and rentals. Like its neighbor to the west, Pines maintains a strong gay culture. It features winding boardwalks and some upscale real estate. Charity and gay culture events fill the Pines summer scene. Don't miss the annual Invasion of the Pines, where drag queens from Cherry Grove climb aboard a ferry and descend upon the Pines for a day of fun. Pines has a grocery store, two liquor stores, small shops, restaurants and bars. Its harbor holds 85 boats. Ferry service leaves from Sayville.

Water Island

Attention daytrippers: Don't bother with Water Island. They don't want you there. The town is small, extremely private and has no ferry access. However, if you've got the bucks and value your privacy, investing here isn't a bad move.

Davis Park

Let's start with The Casino (631-597-6150), the hub of this eastern-most community on Fire Island. It's a restaurant/bar/snack place that locals and visitors love. It opens daily on June 21 (beforehand, just weekends. Monday through Thursday, The Casino offers free travel. Buy a special Dine & Ride roundtrip ferry ticket, then get $10 off your bill ($30 minimum per person, adults only). Every Tuesday beginning July 10 is Clambake Night.

Davis Park encompasses three areas: Leja Beach (the town's beach/marina), Ocean Ridge and Davis Park. The town loves its boaters, evident by the 250-boat marina. There's a good mix of the young partiers, families and homeowners. Ferry service leaves from Patchogue.