Watch Hill is located near the center of Fire Island National Seashore and is most easily reached by private boat or ferry. It is a seasonal destination, with both the ferry and the Watch Hill Marina operating from mid-May through mid-October. The only viable option for those terrified of the water is a 7-mile walk along the beach from the Wilderness Visitor Center on the eastern end of park.
At the Watch Hill Marina, up to eighteen slips can be booked for the entire season, otherwise boaters can stay overnight for up to 14 consecutive days at the marina. Those on foot can stay the same number of days at the tents-only Watch Hill Campground. On summer weekends the 163 slips at the marina will all be taken, and despite a mosquito population on par with the Everglades, so will the campsites. Boaters also have the option to anchor offshore and take a dinghy or wade to the island—the water is only waist deep. For those who don’t want to bring food and drinks with them, there is a general store, a snack bar, and a restaurant and bar. All of these attractions make Watch Hill the most popular destination in the park.
The mosquitoes at Watch Hill are horrendous from July through the fall. A Ranger told me that he’s seen people get off the ferry and get right back on the next one returning to Long Island. You’ll need to apply mosquito repellent full time, and if you plan to camp, a hat and mosquito net for your head, long pants, and a long sleeve shirt are a must. Or better yet, DO NOT CAMP IN THE SUMMER. If you don’t believe me, just search the Internet for Watch Hill Campground Reviews.
See the following web pages for more information on Watch Hill:
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on October 6, 2024