• 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 »

For Your Safety: Around Wildlife

Red slash over image of people attempting to feed a deer beside the boardwalk.

Many Fire Island deer have become conditioned to accept hand-outs from well-meaning park visitors. While our deer may seem tame, don't forget that they are still wild animals.

Never Feed or Touch Wildlife

Fire Island offers abundant wildlife sighting opportunities. However, for your safety and the health of the animals, never feed or try to touch wildlife.

Please watch wildlife from a distance. Remember deer and other wild animals are not pets, and their behavior can be unpredictable.

Feeding wildlife makes them come too close to people, where they may injure us or share their ticks with us. Feeding wild animals human food is ultimately unhealthy for them and not in the animals' best interest.

 
Two bucks with antlers locked, split-rail fence between them.

Feeding wildlife is not healthy for them and may pose a safety hazard to you and other people.

For More Information

Learn more about Fire Island's deer and other wildlife.

  • Use Caution Around Sick or Dead Birds Use Caution Around Sick or Dead Birds

    Dead birds—especially crows, jays, and raptors—may have succumbed to West Nile virus. Read More

Did You Know?

Close view of sand showing bands of colors: white, dark grey, and reddish purple.

New York's state gem—the garnet—may be found among the sands that comprise Fire Island's beaches. Due to differences in size and weight of the grains of sand, you may sometimes see ribbons of garnet and magnatite among the white quartz, as the sand settles on the beach. More...