Fire Island, New York: an oasis of sandy shores and endless adventure.
Have you ever imagined discovering the best places to paddle board in Fire Island?
This coastal paradise is ready to be explored.
Get on board, and let’s dive into the captivating waters of Fire Island. Are you up for the journey?
Map
Planning Your Paddle in Fire Island
Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.
- Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from May through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 80 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
- Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
Where to Paddle Board in Fire Island
Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!
#1 Sailors Haven
- 🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
- 📍 Access Point: Sailors Haven Beach (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate ocean waves, can be windy
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, occasional dolphins
- 🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Sunken Forest, dunes
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Lifeguard on duty during summer, respect wildlife
Sailors Haven is a popular spot on Fire Island known for its beautiful beach and easy access.
Paddle boarders can enjoy the ocean waves while taking in stunning views of the Sunken Forest and dunes that line the shore.
#2 Kismet
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
- 📍 Access Point: Kismet Beach (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, protected from strong ocean waves
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, occasional seals
- 🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Great South Bay, Fire Island Lighthouse
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Beware of boat traffic, no lifeguard on duty
Kismet, located on Great South Bay, offers a more tranquil paddleboarding experience, away from the ocean waves.
Glide through calm waters while enjoying views of the Fire Island Lighthouse, and keep an eye out for seals and seabirds.
#3 Ocean Beach
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
- 📍 Access Point: Ocean Beach (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate ocean waves, can be windy
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, occasional dolphins or whales
- 🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Charming village, expansive beach
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Lifeguards on duty during summer, no alcohol permitted on the beach
Ocean Beach is the largest village on Fire Island and offers miles of sandy coastline. The moderate ocean waves are perfect for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders.
Enjoy the beach’s vibrant atmosphere while searching for marine life from your paddle board.
#4 Dunewood
- 🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
- 📍 Access Point: Dunewood Beach (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate ocean waves, can be windy
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, occasional dolphins
- 🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Dunes, peaceful shoreline
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: No lifeguard on duty, respect for local residents
Dunewood, a small community on Fire Island, offers a serene paddleboarding experience for those looking to escape the larger crowds.
The moderate ocean waves allow you to glide alongside the peaceful shoreline while observing dunes and local wildlife.
#5 Robert Moses State Park
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
- 📍 Access Point: Field 5 (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate ocean waves, can be windy
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, occasional dolphins
- 🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Fire Island Lighthouse, expansive beach
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Lifeguards on duty during summer, no alcohol permitted on the beach
Located near the western end of Fire Island, Robert Moses State Park offers paddle boarders the opportunity to explore the island’s expansive shores.
Glide through the ocean waves with the Fire Island Lighthouse in the background, and be on the lookout for local marine life.
#6 The Pines
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
- 📍 Access Point: The Pines Marina (Google Maps)
- 🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, protected bay
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
- 🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, seals
- 🏞️️Landmarks & Views: Elegant homes, surrounding nature
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect private properties
The Pines is an upscale, gay-friendly community located on the bay side of Fire Island.
The calm waters of the protected bay provide a perfect environment for peaceful paddleboarding, with the unique homes and nature serving as a picturesque backdrop.
Fire Island has the Great South Bay behind it, shallow and warm by late summer. Long Island covers the rest of the shoreline, New York City the urban paddle and Greenwood Lake the inland one.
FAQ
Where can you paddle board in Fire Island?
The best spots for paddle boarding in Fire Island are Sailors Haven, Cherry Grove and the Pines.
Do paddle boards need to be registered in Fire Island?
No, you don’t need to register paddle boards in Fire Island.
When is the best time to paddle board in Fire Island?
The optimal time for paddle boarding in Fire Island is from late spring to early autumn, due to the milder water temperatures.
Paddle Boarding Near Fire Island
Looking for another spot on the same trip? These guides cover the closest paddling waters we have mapped around Fire Island.
- Long Island (13 miles northwest)
- New York (34 miles west)
- NYC (41 miles west)
- Connecticut (49 miles north)
