• Miles of uncrowded white sandy beaches extend to the horizon, separating the clear blue ocean and undulating grass-covered dunes.

    Fire Island

    National Seashore New York

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  • More Park Facilities Reopen During May 2013

    Watch Hill and Sailors Haven marinas open May 10. Limited ferry service from Sayville to Sailors Haven resumes May 13 and ferries from Patchogue to Watch Hill start on May 18. Remaining park facilities to reopen by May 25, 2013. More »

Sand Dunes

Summer beach with dunes in background.

Some of Fire Island's primary dunes east of Watch Hill are as high as 40 feet. Most of the primary dune line on the island, however, is much smaller. Behind many of the primary dunes lies a series of crescent-shaped secondary dunes, with a low interdunal swale in between.

Dunes are critical to the health and sustainability of sandy beaches. The primary dune ridge (foredunes) lies adjacent to the shoreline. Secondary dune fields may lie further inland. Dunes may form anywhere that eolian processes (wind transportation) occur.

Dunes provide much-needed protection to back-barrier environments (including human development) against severe wave, wind, and storm events. In addition, these geomorphic features provide critical habitat to a variety of migratory birds and mammals.

 
BeachGrassRoots

The rhizomes and rootlets of American beach grass help hold together the grains of sand that make up this eroded dune.

Dune vegetation is very important for the formation and stabilization of dune complexes on barrier islands. Both the root system and exposed vegetation restrict sand movement around plants, helping to secure the dune.

 
Beach grass sprout on white sand beach.

Beach grass sprout emerges from end of the plant's rhizome.

See More

Additional print-quality PDF images are available:

Primary Dune Line looking east, 8" x 6" print

Eroded Dune, 8" x 6" print

Close-up of Eroded Dune with Beach Grass Rootlets with sand and rootlets, 8" x 6" print

Close-up of Sand and Beach Grass Rootlets, 8" x 6" print

Beach Grass, 4" x 3" print

Beach Grass Sprout, 4" x 3" print

Sand Fencing on Foredune, view from Robert Moses State Park looking toward Fire Island Lighthouse, 4 " x 3"

Did You Know?

Group walks down the island behind the dunes.

The 4-day Fire Island Trek began as a special event in September, 2004, in celebration of Fire Island National Seashore's 40th anniversary. The program has been continued as a means to showcase the variety of resources and recreational and educational opportunities that exist on Fire Island. More...