• Robert Moses State Park, western end of the island, Phone: (631) 669-0470, [7]. Swim, surf, fish, picnic. Has an 18 hole pitch and putt golf course.
• Fishing and clamming
• Surfing

Nude Beaches

There are several nude beaches on Fire Island. In addition to the recognized nude beaches, discreet nudity is frequently practiced on isolated stretches of sand in between towns. Topless sunbathing, long legal in NY state, is found just about anywhere, other than in the busiest areas of town beaches.

• Lighthouse Beach. Not easy to get to without a car, it's about a mile walk from either Kismet or Robert Moses. Walk along the beach until you are just west of the lighthouse. This is one of the most popular nude beaches in the U.S. A mix of straight and gay, singles and couples and some families. Like most US nude beaches, single males make up the highest percentage of beach users. Long Island RailRoad (LIRR) to Babylon and bus to Robert Moses. By car: State Pkwy to Robert Moses Causeway (Exit 40) south. Go to end, follow Robert Moses State Park signs. Bear left at traffic circle, park in Field 5. Walk 1/2 mile along beach, or go to east end of lot and start on boardwalk nature trail. When this boardwalk intersects a dirt road go to the right on the road around a bend and to your right will be another boardwalk. This boardwalk leads directly to the nude beach and there is a sign saying you may enounter nude sunbathers.
• Kismet Turn right when you get to the beach at Kismet and walk for 5 minutes towards the lighthouse. This beach is basically Lighthouse Beach East. It is an official nude beach with a big sign "Beyond This Point You May Encounter Nude Sunbathers" It's larger than Lighthouse Beach and not crowded. On the bay side there are two bar/restaurants ( the Inn and the Out) and a general store. Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Bayshore and ferry to Kismet.
• Cherry Grove Cherry Grove has many shops, a few restaurants and 3 large bars with dancing. It's a very tolerant mix of gay women and men and a few straights and some families. The beach is a recognized nude beach. Probably less than half go nude but no one seems bothered either way. If you turn left at the beach and walk east between CG and the Pines, the beach is mostly nude (gay male). Some reports of "inappropriate activity" in this part of the beach. LIRR to Sayville and ferry to Cherry Grove.
  • The Grove Hotel, Phone: 631-597-6600, [8]. A popular place to stay.
• The Pines This is about 90% gay male. There is an inlet on the bay side for boats and it has many shops and some bars. The beach is about half nude and nearly all male. LIRR to Sayville and ferry to The Pines.
• Other Nude Beaches on Fire Island The 6-mile undeveloped stretch of sand between Smith Point and Watch Hill is virtually deserted and is perfect for nude sunbathing and beachcombing. You can literally walk for miles and not see a single person. Other isolated areas that see frequent nude use include the area just west of Davis Park and the area between Cherry Grove and Sailor's Haven.

• Fire Island National Seashore, Phone: 631-281-3010, [6]. Includes a wilderness area with backcountry camping by permit. Sunken forest on 40 acres. Seasonal campground.
• Fire Island Lighthouse, east of Robert Moses State Park, Phone: 631-661-4876.

By air

The island is located about 2.5 hours from Manhattan. You can fly into LaGuardia or Kennedy Airports in New York City or Islip MacArthur Airport on Long Island, then use a rental car, taxi, or train to your destination.

By car

There are only two bridges to Fire Island. The Robert Moses Causeway on the western end of Fire Island leads to parking lots at Robert Moses State Park. The William Floyd Parkway leads to Smith Point County Park on the eastern end of Fire Island, where there are also parking lots (fees charged). Fire Island has no public roads.

• Tommy's Taxis, Phone: 631-665-4800, also goes direct from Manhattan. $18 (or $21 Sundays and holidays)

By Bus

• Suffolk County Transit, Phone: 631-852-5200, [1]. Operates bus routes to provide access to the island's gateway communities, but you'll have to walk or take a taxi to get to your destination.

By train

• Long Island Rail Road, Phone: 631-231-5477, [2]. Has stations are near three ferry terminals: Patchogue, Sayville, and Bay Shore. All have taxi service to the ferry terminals.

By boat

• Ferries to Fire Island depart from the following locations: Sayville and Bay Shore (villages of Islip) and Patchogue (a village of Brookhaven). Water taxis are available if you miss the ferry.
• Fire Island Ferries, 99 Maple St., Bay Shore, Phone: 631-665-3600, [3]. Year round to Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Atlantique, Kismet, Saltaire, Ocean Bay Park and Seaview.
• Sayville Ferries, 41 River Road, [4]. Year round to Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, Sunken Forest and Water Island.
• Patchogue Ferries, Phone: 631-475-1665, [5]. Mid March to November from two ferry terminals in Patchogue. Leaves from County Road 83 to Davis Park; and from County Road 19 to Watch Hill in the Fire Island National Seashore park.

• Many Fire Island sites can be reached by private boat from the Great South Bay, with marinas at Watch Hill, Sailors Haven and most island communities. The bay is shallow, and boaters occasionally moor offshore. When on Fire Island, water taxis can shuttle you from point to point.

There are three easy ways to get around on Fire Island. The first is to walk. The second is to use a bicycle. It should be noted, however, that not all areas have pavement or boardwalks to ride upon. Boardwalks and sidewalks sometimes end abruptly into sand so beware. The last way to get around on Fire Island is to use a boat. There are various water taxi services (if running) and a lateral ferry that runs during the peak of the vacation season.

• Maguire's Bayfront Restaurant, 1 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach, Phone: 631-583-8800, [9]. Lunch and dinner bayside. $$$
• Matthew's Seafood House, 935 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach, Phone: 631-583-8016, [10]. Lunch and dinner on the Great South Bay. Dockmasters available for boaters. No charge during the week if you spend upto 30$ in the restaurant, weekend rates apply. No water or electrical service. A market in front with fresh fish and grocies everyday. Famous for the Thursday night Margarita Madness where you get large 48oz fishbowls of margarita from 20$-40$ depending on your liquor choice. $$$$
• Island Mermaid, Ocean Beach, Phone: 631-583-8088, [11].
• The Hideaway, 785 Evergreen Walk, Ocean Beach, Phone: 631-583-8900. Casual waterfront fine dining. Serving lunch & dinner. Dockage available. $$$ [12].
• Kismet Inn and Marina, Oak Walk, Kismet, Phone: 631-583-5592.

• Flynn's, Ocean Bay Park, Phone: 631-583-5000.