Fire Island Watch Hill

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 renovated 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, 10:00 p.m. Saturday evening ferry from Watch Hill back to Patchogue provides an opportunity for an evening program or stroll on the beach or dining in the Pier at Watch Hill restaurant. Through Labor Day only, reservations required. Pets must always be leashed, and you should be prepared to pick up after your pet. Share the Beach Since 2007, piping plovers have been nesting closer to the Watch Hill beach, both east and west of the lifeguarded area. The plovers and terns are back for 2009! For this reason, greater restrictions are again placed on the use of kites and pets are not permitted on most of the beach in front of Watch Hill through mid-August. Pets are never allowed on lifeguarded beaches. As of mid-June 2009, no pets or kites are allowed on the ocean beach from Davis Park to Smith Point, except for a small 200-yard section on the east side of the Watch Hill lifeguarded beach. 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 160 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