Major city · United States
Fire Island
Go for 2–3 nights in a walkable village (Ocean Beach or Cherry Grove) or as a day trip from Bay Shore; skip if you want a car, nightlife or cheap beds.
Fire Island is a 51.5 km barrier island off Long Island with no public roads and no cars in summer. Seventeen villages each have their own character, and several are quiet residential communities that do not welcome day visitors. Pick your village first, then plan ferries, cash and walking.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (most businesses closed), peak-August weekends (crowds, higher ferry and hotel prices)
- Airports
- ISP · JFK · LGA
- Nights
- 2–3
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 Fire Island911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Fire 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 safe for a beach island; the real risks are ticks and poison ivy on trails, strong surf and rip currents…
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
- 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 (Closest airport; taxi or rideshare to the Bay Shore, Sayville or Patchogue ferry terminals.).
- Getting aroundWalk or cycle on boardwalks and sand paths; there are no public roads and no cars in summer.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Sit-down mealSeafood main course$28–45
- Street or quick mealSandwich or slice of pizza$8–15
- BeerBeer at a village bar$8–12
- Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$70
- Mid-range bedHotel or guest-house double room, a night, per roomUS$300
- High-end bedHotel or guest-house double room, a night, per roomUS$550
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$120 · Mid US$200 · High US$350
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 (Closest airport; taxi or rideshare to the Bay Shore, Sayville or Patchogue ferry terminals.) · JFK John F. Kennedy International (About 1.5–2 h by car to Bay Shore; LIRR from the city is often easier.) · LGA LaGuardia (About 1.5–2 h by car to Bay Shore, longer in summer traffic.)
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
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Jun–Jul, Sep. Mixed: Aug. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fire 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)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 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
Walk or cycle on boardwalks and sand paths; there are no public roads and no cars in summer. Water taxis link villages when you miss a ferry. Bring cash for ferries, water taxis and most small shops.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fire Island Lighthouse
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h from Ocean Beach
Ferry to Kismet or Robert Moses, then walk the beach
East of Robert Moses State Park; climb for bay and ocean views.
Sunken Forest (Sailors Haven)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Sayville ferry to Sailors Haven, then boardwalk trail
Ranger-led walks in summer; check the NPS schedule.
Watch Hill
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2.5 h
Patchogue ferry, or water taxi from the west
Marina, campground and nature trails; long haul from Ocean Beach.
Robert Moses State Park
cautionDoor to door: 2 h+
Ferry to Kismet, then a long beach walk or taxi
Better reached by car from the mainland than from the island villages.
Montauk
overnightDoor to door: 3 h+
Ferry back to the mainland, then drive east
Not a day trip; sleep there instead.
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.
Ocean Beach
Largest village, most restaurants and bars, ferry from Bay Shore year-round. Best first visit.
Ocean Bay Park
One village east of Ocean Beach; quieter, walkable to Ocean Beach nightlife.
Cherry Grove
Sayville ferry; long-standing gay community with bars and a hotel. Beach is clothing-optional in places.
Fire Island Pines
Sayville ferry; mostly gay male, guest houses and a small commercial strip.
Kismet and Saltaire
Western villages, Bay Shore ferry; quiet, residential, few services.
Davis Park and Watch Hill
Eastern end, Patchogue ferry; Watch Hill is National Seashore with campground and marina.
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
- $150–250 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel or guest-house double room1 × 2 nights × US$300 | US$600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$200 | US$800 |
| Ferry, round trip per person2 × US$24 | US$48 |
| Water taxi between villages2 × US$12 | US$24 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × US$35 | US$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$157 |
| Trip total≈ US$432 per person per day, bed included | US$1,729 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Sandwich or slice of pizza | $8–15 |
| Seafood main course | $28–45 |
| Beer at a village bar | $8–12 |
| Ferry, one way | $12–15 |
| Bicycle rental, one day | $30–40 |
| Hotel double room, summer weekend | $300–550 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Several villages are residential and discourage day visitors: check before you arrive.
- Most businesses take cash only; ATMs are scarce.
- Boardwalks end abruptly in sand — wear shoes you can walk in.
- Poison ivy and ticks (Lyme disease) along trails: repellent, long socks, tick check.
- Mosquitoes at dusk near the bay and marshes.
- Hotels and ferries are seasonal; many places close from November to mid-May.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Fire IslandFire Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies on the island; consulates are in New York City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bay Shore → Ocean Beach ferry: about $12–15 one way, 30 min
- Sayville → Cherry Grove ferry: about $12–15 one way, 25–30 min
- Water taxi between villages: about $10–15 per person
Say or show
- Cash only? — Cash only?
- Where is the ferry? — Where is the ferry?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- Is the beach patrol on duty? — Is the beach patrol on duty?
Print this card: ferries and most village shops take cash only.
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 Fire 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: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (most businesses closed), peak-August weekends (crowds, higher ferry and hotel prices) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 6 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-and-bed contracts for Bay Shore, Sayville and Patchogue with last-boat times and water-taxi fallback.
- Village pages for Ocean Beach, Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines and Ocean Bay Park with cash-only notes.
- National Seashore pages for the lighthouse, Sunken Forest and Watch Hill with ranger-program dates.
- Storm and tick-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialFire Island National Seashore (NPS)
- officialFire Island Ferries
- officialSayville Ferry Service
- officialLong Island Rail Road
- officialRobert Moses State Park (NY State Parks)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Fire Island, revision 5102173 (CC BY-SA 4.0)