Major city · United States
Shelter Island
Go for 2 nights by car or bike, May–Oct: no town centre, no bus, and the last ferries leave around midnight.
Shelter Island is a 6.5 sq mi town between the North and South Forks of Long Island, reached only by the North Ferry from Greenport or the South Ferry from North Haven. There is no village core and no public bus: you drive, cycle or walk. Two nights covers the beaches, Mashomack Preserve and a slow loop; one night works if you arrive early and leave late.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, ferry queues, peak room rates), Nov–Apr (many places closed)
- Airports
- ISP · JFK · LGA
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Shelter Island911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Shelter Island Police (non-emergency)631-749-0600
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shelter Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are narrow roads shared with cars, ticks in the woods, and summer heat on exposed beaches.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 631-749-0600 Shelter Island Police (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportISP Long Island MacArthur (Islip) (About 1 h 15 min by car to the North Ferry, then the crossing).
- Getting aroundCar, bike or foot only.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, main$25–45
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich$10–16
- BeerBeer at a bar$8–12
- Budget bedCabin or cottage for a family, a night, per roomUS$250
- Mid-range bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$320
- High-end bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$650
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$120 · Mid US$220 · High US$420
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ISP Long Island MacArthur (Islip) (About 1 h 15 min by car to the North Ferry, then the crossing) · JFK John F. Kennedy International (About 2 h 30 min by car to Greenport in summer traffic) · LGA LaGuardia (About 2 h 30 min by car to Greenport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Jan (9 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shelter Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car, bike or foot only. The island is about 6.5 sq mi with two-lane roads and no public bus; taxis are few, so book ahead or plan to cycle. Bikes can cross on both ferries. Distances are short: North Ferry to South Ferry is roughly 15 min by car.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
North Ferry from Shelter Island, about 10 min, then walk into the village
Cafés, a brewery and the waterfront; easy half-day without a car.
Door to door: About 40 min
South Ferry, then about 15 min by car via Route 114
Bookshops and wharf restaurants; parking is tight in summer.
Montauk
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
South Ferry, then Route 114 and Route 27 east
A long day in summer traffic; better as an overnight.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
South Ferry, then Route 114 and Route 27 west
Village and ocean beach; go early on weekends.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Shelter Island Heights
South Ferry side; inns, the Heights historic district and Crescent Beach within a short drive.
Shelter Island Center
The IGA, pharmacy and most year-round services; central for driving anywhere on the island.
West Neck and Shore Road
Waterfront hotels and the sunset side on Peconic Bay; car needed for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–280 excl. bed
- High
- $280+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or B&B double room1 × 2 nights × US$320 | US$640 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$220 | US$880 |
| North Ferry, car and driver, one way1 × US$20 · check | US$20 |
| South Ferry, car and driver, one way1 × US$20 · check | US$20 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$165 |
| Trip total≈ US$454 per person per day, bed included | US$1,815 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Deli sandwich | $10–16 |
| Pizza, one pie | $18–28 |
| Sit-down dinner, main | $25–45 |
| Beer at a bar | $8–12 |
| Ferry crossing, car and driver | about $20 (check) |
| Bike rental, one day | $35–60 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry queues back up on summer weekends: arrive early for the North Ferry from Greenport.
- Many restaurants and inns close or cut hours from November to April: check before booking.
- Roads are narrow with no shoulders in places; ride single file and use lights.
- Cell coverage is patchy in parts of Mashomack Preserve.
- Ticks are present in woods and tall grass: use repellent and check after walks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Shelter Island Police (non-emergency)
- 631-749-0600
- Poison Control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Shelter IslandShelter Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No consulates on the island; nearest are in New York City. US visitors: 911 for anything urgent.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- North Ferry, Greenport → Shelter Island, car and driver: about $20 one way (check)
- South Ferry, North Haven → Shelter Island, car and driver: about $20 one way (check)
- Taxi across the island: $15–30 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the ferry? — Where is the ferry?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a taxi? — Is there a taxi?
- What time is the last ferry? — What time is the last ferry?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shelter Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, ferry queues, peak room rates), Nov–Apr (many places closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract for both crossings: last departures field-checked, walk-on vs car fares, queue times.
- Four walking and cycling clusters with rescue anchors: the Heights, Crescent Beach, Mashomack, West Neck.
- Place pages with verified hours (Mashomack, Crescent Beach, Ram's Head plaque) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green outside summer.
Sources
- officialTown of Shelter Island
- officialNorth Ferry
- officialSouth Ferry
- secondaryWikivoyage: Shelter Island, revision 4210133 (CC BY-SA 4.0)