You should always swim with a buddy, at a lifeguarded beach.

During the summer, Fire Island National Seashore provides opportunities for supervised swimming at two lifeguarded beaches, at Sailors Haven and at Watch Hill, which are both accessible by ferry or private boat.

With additional National Park Service (NPS)Centennial Initiative funding in 2008 and 2009, weekend lifeguard service has been added to Barrett Beach.  

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.

Several of the Fire Island communities also have seasonal lifeguarded beaches.

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, and a small playground for children.  

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.

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:

• See NOAA's Break the Grip of the Rip® educational materials