• 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

Swimming

Lifeguards on duty at Sailors Haven Beach.
Always swim at a lifeguarded beach. During the summer season, well-trained staff at Sailors Haven and Watch Hill beaches provide a watchful eye over ocean swimmers.
 
Lone swimmer rides gentle wave to shore.
You should always swim with a buddy, at a lifeguarded beach.

During the summer, Fire Island National Seashore provides opportunities for supervised swimming daily at two lifeguarded ocean beaches - at Sailors Haven and at Watch Hill - which are both accessible by ferry or private boat. Weekend lifeguard service is available at Barrett Beach, accessible by small private boats only.

NPS lifeguarded beaches are normally staffed daily from late June through Labor Day weekend. Additional weekend days may be added before and after the summer season if staffing and weather conditions permit.

The Town of Brookhaven operates a public beach at Davis Park, accessible by ferry from Sandspit Park in Patchogue (Davis Park Ferry), and the Town of Islip provides lifeguards on Fire Island at Atlantique Beach (see video), accessible by ferry from Bay Shore (Fire Island Ferries). Few Fire Island communities have public facilities for swimming, since most beach users are staying in private homes or other accommodations.

If you'd like to drive to a lifeguarded beach on Fire Island, try Smith Point County Park and Robert Moses State Park. Both have large capacity parking lots, changing rooms and showers, snack bars, picnic tables and a small playground for children.

 
Colorful beach umbrellas and sunshades dot a somewhat crowded beach.
Be prepared to carry back whatever you have brought to the beach with you. Remember: it will probably feel a lot heavier after a full day in the sun. So pack all that you'll need, but not more than you can comfortably carry. 

To get to Watch Hill or Sailors Haven beaches, you must walk more than a quarter of a mile from the ferry dock or marina. Plan to carry back everything you've brought over, which includes beach chairs and umbrellas if you wish to use them. 

Glass containers are not allowed on the beach. Pets may not be brought onto the lifeguarded beaches.

Fire Island National Seashore's beaches are "Carry-In/Carry-Out." Garbage containers are deliberately not provided on the beach to discourage the "loitering" of gulls, mice, deer, and other animals that would be attracted to our trash. Thank you for helping keep the beach clean.

 
Rip Currents sign

For Your Safety

Be sure to avoid overexposure to the sun.

Always use caution in or around the water.

Never swim alone.

Learn to recognize rip currents:

  • Always Use Caution Always Use Caution

    In and Around the Water Read More

Did You Know?

The uppermost level of a long bridge sloping down to the island is covered by a string of cars and vans.

You may drive to either end of Fire Island, and walk to Fire Island National Seashore from either Robert Moses State Park or Smith Point County Park. You should anticipate long lines of traffic on warm, sunny weekend days. More...