Watch Hill

Watch Hill is Fire Island National Seashore's largest developed area, with visitor center, marina, lifeguarded beach, campground, camp store and salt marsh nature trail. This site also includes housing for seasonal employees and researchers, and the community of Davis Park is just 1 mile to the west. Watch Hill is one of the gateways to the Fire Island Wilderness.

NPS Photo/Stewart

 

The lifeguarded ocean beach at Watch Hill is normally quite uncrowded, especially on week days. Many people agree it's well worth the walk from the bayside marina and ferry dock to enjoy pristine beaches such as this. 

Watch Hill is located on the western edge of the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, directly across the Great South Bay from Patchogue, Long Island. It is accessible by Watch Hill Ferry, private boat, and foot only.

The Watch Hill area offers a visitor center, a campground with 26 family campsites and 1 group camp site (reservations are needed by mail), permits for backcountry camping in the Fire Island Wilderness, ranger-led interpretive programs (including guided canoe trips), a 183-slip transient marina with water, electric, and pump-out station; a small convenience store, snack bar, self-guiding nature trail, picnic area, lifeguarded beach (summer only), restrooms, bathhouse, and pay phones.

The Pier at Watch Hill, a concession-operated full service restaurant with seating for 90, is open for dinner on Friday and Saturday during the shoulder seasons, and on Thursday - Sunday during the summer. Reservations are accepted and transient dockage is available for patrons.

The Watch Hill General Store and Snack Bar are open daily mid-May through mid-September, then weekends through mid-October.

The Watch Hill Marina can accommodate boats with a draft to 5 feet and a 10- to 13-foot beam. A few slips can handle up to 20-foot wide vessels. Most slips have water and 50 amp electricity (125 volt and 250 volt; extra fee charged). There is a 14-day limit on each stay. Limited reservations will be accepted by phone at 631-597-3109 on the day of arrival, after 8:30 a.m.

(See this year's dates and rates.)

 

Marina Group Reservations

Organized groups of at least 20 boats are able to make advance reservations during the shoulder season months of May, June, September and October (excluding holiday weekends of Memorial Day and Labor Day).

Contact Fire Island Concessions, LLC at 631-597-3109 for more information.

Enjoying a summer sunset is a favorite activity at Watch Hill.

Things To Do:

• Interpretive Programs/Guided Tours
• Education Programs
• Sunbathing/Swimming
• Beachcombing
• Hiking
• Saltwater Fishing
• Camping
• Day-Use and Overnight Marina
  

Weather permitting, the Saturday-only 10:00 p.m. evening ferry from Watch Hill back to Patchogue provides an opportunity for an evening stroll on the beach or dining in the Pier at Watch Hill restaurant. (Weather permitting, last Saturday in June through Labor Day only, reservations required. Call 631-597-9060 to confirm that this ferry is running.)

 

Pets must always be leashed, and you should be prepared to pick up after your pet.

Share the Beach

Watch Hill is a relatively pet-friendly site. However, during most summers piping plovers nest near the Watch Hill beach, and additional restrictions on pets and the use of kites may be enforced from early summer through mid-August. Pets are never allowed on lifeguarded beaches.

You may walk your dog on the trails at Watch Hill or on the bay beach, but please remember: Pets must always be leashed.

 

How To Get There
Watch Hill Ferry Terminal is located at 150 West Avenue in Patchogue, New York, 11772.

From the Long Island Expressway (LIE or I-495), take Exit 61 S onto County Road 19 (Patchogue-Holbrook Road).

From Sunrise Highway (Route 27), take Exit 52 South onto County Road 19 (Patchogue-Holbrook Road/Waverly Avenue). About 1 mile from Rt. 27, bear left. Cross Main Street, go over the railroad tracks, and cross Division Street. Pass the bowling alley. Ferry terminal parking lot is on your right.

 

Watch Hill marina and other facilities are open mid-May through mid-October.

Important Phone Numbers:
(Seasonal, mid-May — mid-October)
Watch Hill Visitor Center:
631-597-6455
Watch Hill Ranger Station:
631-597-7021

Watch Hill Campground:
631-567-6664

Watch Hill Marina, Snack Bar and Store:
631-597-3109

The Pier at Watch Hill Restaurant:
631-597-9060

Watch Hill Ferry Service:
631-475-1665