Cars? Where we're going, we don't need cars.
Forgive the modified "Back to the Future" reference, but it's true. Fire Island, a wonderful day trip and summer destination for Long Islanders, has no roads. Thus, no cars.
Imagine that, a place on Long Island with no cars or traffic. Dare we dream? (OK, there are a few cars, but the regulations are extremely strict.)
Fire Island consists of several communities that cater mainly to the summer house owner/renter. Yet, there is plenty of room for daytrippers and weekenders.
Here's a comprehensive guide to Ocean Beach, the hub of Fire Island, for the daytripper/weekender, including restaurants, shopping, hotels, kid stuff and more. For info
on other communities,
click here.
Getting there
Hop aboard the Fire Island Ferry in Bay Shore. Take the Southern State to Exit 42 South (Fifth Avenue). Continue south about 1 1/2 miles to Main Street. Turn left, and then right onto Maple Avenue. Go to the end of Maple Avenue. Parking lot is on the left.
Parking costs $7 Monday-Thursday, $14 Friday-Sunday and holiday. A full week costs $65 and a full weekend will run you $41. Cash only.
Ferry costs depend on age and length of trip. See below:
• Adult: $8 one way (except 1 a.m. boat), $15 round-trip, $15 one-way at 1 a.m. ($10 extra if you already have return ticket).
• Child: $4 one way, $7 round-trip.
• Seniors and handicapped: $6 each way with Suffolk County ID card.
Click here for Fire Island ferry schedule from Bay Shore.
While waiting at the dock, which also serves Ocean Bay Park, Seaview, Kismet, Atlantique/Dunewood, Saltaire and Fair Harbor, you can pass the time at Nicky's Clam Bar, a delightful fishing town bar and restaurant within 50 feet of the ferry. There's also the Just Barge In ice cream shop and convenience store.
OK, so you've landed on Ocean Beach. Now what?
Getting around
The ferry comes ashore on the Great South Bay side of Fire Island. It's a short walk, no more than 10 minutes, to reach the beach on the other side of the Island.
Some days, you might see people traveling with air conditioners, vaccuums and other household goods. These people own homes or summer shares on Fire Island. It may seem strange to the average daytripper, but if you allow your brain to dream, this is as close as you'll ever get to Ellis Island in the early 20th century.
No cars are allowed on Fire Island, so people either walk or rent bicycles. Ocean Beach Hardware rents bicycles for $15 a day. Of course, in the "Land of No" as Ocean Beach has become known as thanks to its litany of restrictions, no bike riding is allowed on the weekends because of the influx of people.
Recent reports indicate that the Ocean Beach police department will focus more on warnings and education instead of summonses. It's an attempt to change the area's moniker to the "Land of Maybe."
If you get bored in Ocean Beach and want to travel elsewhere, walk to end of a pier and call for a water taxi. Better yet, just program 631-665-8885 into your cell phone and call as you walk. Prices are based on zones and age, with a $6 fee for adults for one zone, $3 kids, all the way up to $22 adults, $11 kids for an 8-zone trip. On principle, this is worth doing at least once. A water taxi to cross the bay starts at $125.
