Fire Island, New York Surf Report

Fire Island/Long Island/Suffolk County Surf Breaks

Introduction: 

With 32 miles of south facing ocean beaches Fire Island has so many peaks it would be stupid to try and pinpoint every spot.  Sandbars form and shift all the time making it very tricky to find a good break. The flip side of this is that every trip to Fire Island is an adventure as long as your willing to walk a bit.  There are spots that always seem to have great sandbars form consistently and then there are the ones that pop up and if your there when it happens you will be rewarded with solid beachbreak surf all to yourself.  Besides the standout jetty breaks or beaches with easy access most of Fire Island's waves can be scored in solitude.  Here I will give a general description of each area of Fire Island.  I am not "spot-burning" anything.  All of the information I present is general and because of the fickle nature of sandbar breaks is subject to change.  What breaks one day may not the next so keep that in mind!  

 

• Robert Moses State Park- Over 5 miles of ocean beaches broken down into five parking fields.  This is the main beach for tourists and beachgoers so it gets crowded in the summer. One of only two beaches you can drive to on Fire Island.  The rules and regulations of this place continue to change and the result is less and less of the park is avaliable for beachgoers let alone surfers.  The two main parking areas are Field 2 and Field 5.  Field 2 has a surfing area to the west of the main pavillion by the golf course. Field 5 is home to the Fire Island Lighthouse which is really cool.  Beach breaks usually form on the western side of the parking field and you may even end up closer to Field 4 (which is closed to all parking).  Field 3 by the Water tower never seems to be open but if it is a good area is right by the Pencil as that used to be an inlet and has deeper water.
•  About a 20-30 minute walk west from Field 2 will bring you to Democrats Point.  There is a jetty point break that has one of the best lefts on all of Long Island.  This spot at one time was the place to be for all goofy footers but in recent years has been subpar.  There is a ton of sand out in front of the jetty now and it is more of an outside break.  Still "Demo", as it is known by locals, always seems to have its day each year.  Best on Southeast swells.  The main thing you have to be careful of is the current, which is probably the strongest you'll find in New York.  This is not a break for beginners or even intermediate surfers, especially when there is a east swell as the current rips past the jetty. Sharks are generally not an issue on Fire Island but this is the one spot you may see one.  Pack some food and water if you are going to make the hike.

 

• Kismet, Saltaire, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Loneyville, Atlantique- Kismet is the first true Fire Island "town" east of Robert Moses State Park. You can walk there from Field 5 and it will take around 20 minutes to get there.  You can also take the ferry from Bay Shore.  Saltiare and Fair Harbor can also be reached by the Bay Shore Ferry.  Atlantique is a family boaters paradise and the furthest walk from Robert Moses you would want to make.  Dunewood and Loneyville are for the ultra rich and the people can be a bit wierd.  All of these beaches have good surf and  usually have sandbars form throughout the year but in the summer they can get a bit crowded since this is a popular area for summer tourists and families.  Get there early to find your own spot.  This area has some great resturants and food to buy so don't worry about that. 

 

• Robin's Rest, Corneille Estates-Not too many people know much about these two exclusive getaways since the house prices are the highest around and the residents have taken steps to keept the public out.  Just like Dunewood and Loneyville, its best to avoid them and the people there....unless there's a good sandbar of course!

 

• Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park-If you know anything about Fire Island you probably know that Ocean Beach is Fire Island's "city."  Bars and resturants line the bayside and the nightlife there is awesome.  Bar hopping and eating fresh seafood are two of the best things to do there...at night of course. During the day you will want to hit the Ocean Beach Jetty for some fun surf.  While it is more of a groin than a jetty this spot can break both right and left and can get super fun on those summer morning and late afternoon sessions.  You can get to Ocean Beach by taking the ferry from Bay Shore. This spot and town is a must for anyone ready to party, eat great food and spend money.  The Ocean Beach surf break can get crowded with groms and kooks but its never really an issue.  Always worth at least a couple of trips a year. Ocean Bay Park is a bit more laid back than Ocean Beach but offers the same type of lifestyle.  The is where the world famous Flynn's resturant and the Schooner Inn are located.  The beach can have a nice bar form usually at low tide to the west.  Access by boat or the Ferry out of Bay Shore.

 

• Sailors Haven/The Sunken Forest-Maybe its because my grandfather owned property their and eventually sold it to the National Seashore to preserve it. Maybe its because I grew up their in the summers on my parents boat and later made daily trips there with my friends.  Maybe its because it is a rare natural phenomena.  Whatever the case Sailors Haven/Sunken Forest is one of Fire Island's jewels.  Oh yeah it has a great break as well! Sandbars usually form west of the main boardwalk towards a very tall dune.  East of the boardwalk can work on the right swell as well.  Things to do include taking the nature walk thru the 300 year old forest and see a ton of birds, native trees/plants and wildlife.  There is a snack shop for food and public showers/bathrooms.  You can get there by boat or the ferry from Sayville.  A must see.  Surfing Sailors Haven is a must!

 

• Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines- Enter at your own risk! Two great towns with urban feels. These beaches are famous because of the gay communities that thrive there.  Everyone is friendly and the resturants/bars are some of the craziest you'll find anywhere in the world.  Stellar food as well.  Worth a look if your not inhibited.  Take the ferry from Sayville for Cherry Grove.  Sometimes surfers end up on this ferry when they miss a boat to Sailors Haven, which is only a 20 minute walk west of Cherry Grove. The Pines can be reached from the Sayville Ferries. As for the surf, your guess is as good as mine...

 

• Tailsman/Barrett Beach- A neglected beach that once was a great boaters destination Barrett Beach is making a comeback of sorts.  Limited ferry service from Patchogue makes this a real getaway spot with plenty of chances to score waves all too yourself.  Once on the beach either direction can have a rewarding peak.  One of those spots that can be a bit of a crapshoot.

 

• Water Island and BluePoint Beach- Private beaches accessible only by boat.  Not much too report on these two places.  Water Island is especially snobby.

 

• Davis Park- The eastern areas "hub" Davis Park is alot of things too many people.  The Casino resturant is a must stop for great food and drinks.  The beach their has had its share of erosion with some houses just one bad hurricane away from falling into the ocean.  This place can get very good and can hold a decent sized swell as well.  Lots of families, young partiers and boaters in the prime season.  A good surf culture as well.  Ferry service from Patchougue or boat.  Davis Park has three areas: Leja Beach, Ocean Ridge and Davis Park. Surfing at Davis Park is always worth the trip.

 

• Smith Point- THe last beach on the eastern portion you can also drive there by car.  Smith Point's waves are often overlooked but it can get really good there with the right conditions.  Once there you will want to check the waves from the Fire Island Seashore (FINS) tower to the west by the Otis Pike Wilderness Area.  There is some deep water just offshore there and the outside bar is great for longboarders.  To the east the beach in front of the Campground usually has a nice sandbar and gets good on the incoming tide.  The park is maintained by Suffolk County Parks and has a cool Beach Hut for food and strong drinks! Be careful since the park police are ever present.  The beach is also home to the TWA flight 800 memorial and is worth a look.