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 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.)
