Looking for a Great New York Vacation Location? Let’s Talk About Fire Island Vacation Rentals
Is Fire Island a good vacation spot? The answer is YES, of course! Why? read on! This article features a list of the best Fire Island beach towns you ought to visit on your next getaway.
Where is Fire Island Destination?
Fire Island is the large center island that runs parallel to the South Shore of Long Island, New York. The island is famous for its peaceful, pristine beaches, centuries-old forests, laid-back beach vibe in the daytime, and extremely popular night scene.
There is an abundance of rental options on Fire Island, and it’s the perfect place for a relaxing vacation without having to go too far away from home. So let’s explore why it should be your next vacation destination!
The History of Fire Island
The island is made up of two villages and a number of hamlets. Fire Island is believed to have originally carried the Secatogues’ name: “Sitcom Hackey”. This old Secatogues’ name translates to “Land of the Secatogues”.
Originally, the island was inhabited for centuries by the Indigenous peoples before the Europeans arrived. Then, it was owned by William “Tangier” Smith in the 17th century.
The Poospatuck Indian Reservation still resides on the island. It was originally 175 acres but due to the breaking of treaties over the years, the Reservation is now only 55 acres.
Cherry Grove was built in 1795 by Jeremiah Smith, who, it is believed, used to lure ships to their doom on the island.
The Fire Island Lighthouse was built in 1825 and was replaced in 1858. You can still visit it today!
Fire Island became an infamous “gay village” during the 1970s and was an extremely popular spot. Cherry Grove calls itself “America’s First Gay and Lesbian Town” and it still hosts an iconic LGBTQIA+ scene to this day.
Hurricane Sandy struck the island in 2012, which damaged the island by pulling out 75 feet of the dune coastline and hitting 80% of homes. However, the island scraped by with less damage than a lot of other places in the area. In fact, one of the few staunch rules on the island is that you cannot walk on the dunes in order to protect the island’s beaches.
Fire Island is a popular destination from the late spring to the early fall and residents are sparse during the winter. Most of the houses are stick-built bungalows that are built with a heavy amount of bamboo.
Now that we’ve set the scene and learned some history let’s dive into the details of why Fire Island should be your next vacation.
Davis Park, Fire Island
Davis Park is commonly referred to as the business area of Brookhaven. Along with Ocean Ridge and Leja Beach, these three hamlets make up the easternmost private community on the island. Plus, these three locations are part of the Fire Island National Seashore.
The hamlet of Davis Park comprises one of the largest marinas on the Island. It can hold up to 250 boats! During the summer months, every single slip will be occupied.
Right next to the marina is the Casino Café. Surprisingly, this restaurant is one of the few on fire island that offers an ocean view! So if Davis Park is your destination then make sure you grab a bite with a view.
Despite its name, there is no gambling. However, you can enjoy a leisurely dinner, some snacks, and drinks on the deck or some dancing under the summer night sky.
You cannot bring your car to Davis Park, but that’s a common theme you’ll find throughout the island. So, you can arrive by ferry from Patchogue, a private boat, or by a water taxi.
Once you arrive on the island feel free to swim in the ocean or bay, go fishing, or go for a beautiful walk on Watch Hill. It’s a great location for ocean lovers.
Image via www.fireislandandbeyond.com/ and Great South Bay Images
Kismet, Fire Island
Switching gears from the relaxing atmosphere of Davis Park on the east side of the island, we are now headed to the party hub on the west side of the island. Kismet is the New York singles scene on Fire Island.
Kismet originated as 3 communities: Seabay Beach, Lighthouse Shores, and Kismet proper. However, it is now just one community that houses about 300 homes.
This party town hosts “never-ending” happy hours, disco dancing, and house parties galore. A large number of well-seasoned Fire Islanders visit Kismet and it’s a popular place for a group vacation rental.
There are two fantastic places to meet people in Kismet. Head to The Inn and Surf’s Out. These two bayside bars and grills are the social places to be in Kismet.
Just like Davis Park, there is a large marina in Kismet as well but it only fits 100 boats – which means it’s packed during the summer.
Even though Kismet is busy with nightlife it still has a quaint, country atmosphere. Meaning, it’s a getaway paradise to escape from the congested beaches and towns to the east.
Now, you can take the Kismet ferry line out of Bay Shore, NY or you can just park in Field 5, and walk! It’s just a short walk to the east of the lot.
Lonelyville, Fire Island
If you’re looking for more of a quiet getaway, try Lonelyville. This quaint hamlet is perfect for getting away from it all.
Lonelyville offers a laid-back environment, peace and quiet, a wide uncrowded beach, and zero commercial traffic and development. There isn’t a shop or restaurant to be found and there’s no direct ferry service.
The only way to access the town is from the Dunewood ferry. Lonelyville is an introvert’s dream location. However, if you’re more extroverted and just need a break, Lonelyville is a lovely place to do so!
Come to Lonelyville to unplug, relax and enjoy.
Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island
Ocean Bay Park is filled to the brim with share houses and fantastic beach barbecues. It’s a small town with a big personality. It truly is a great vacation spot on Fire Island!
Hit up Flynn’s Schooners or The Inn Between for fantastic dancing and drinks. Ocean Bay Park is extremely laid back and is the perfect spot for vacationers looking to party. However, there are plenty of longtime seasoned residents who enjoy the more simple stay.
Ocean Bay Park was originally a community built for retired New York City Police and Firemen – but that never really took off. Then, WWII hit and gas and international travel restrictions became prevalent, so Ocean Bay Park became the perfect getaway.
Even though Ocean Bay Park is a small town on Fire Island there is an abundance of bars, restaurants, pizza joints, ice cream parlors, a tennis court, a bike shop, and a well-stocked grocery store. They also have a direct ferry line through Fire Island Ferries from Bay Shore.
Out of the other marinas we listed above, Ocean Bay Park’s marina only has space for about 50 boats. Bring your own, hop on a water taxi or ferry, and head down to Ocean Bay Park!
If you’re an adult and you enjoy good drinks make sure you head to OBP for their Happy Hour. It’s not like a normal happy hour! It goes from 4 pm until early the next morning.
Keep in mind that alcohol on the beach is prohibited and there are no public restrooms or lifeguards. So swim at your own risk and go pee first.
View Ocean Bay Park Vacation Rentals.
Ocean Beach, Fire Island
The Village of Ocean Beach was established in 1921. It is the heart and soul of Fire Island! Ocean Beach is a barrier island that is just south of Long Island, NY.
This village is the unofficial capital of Fire Island and it is the perfect location for vacationers of all ages. It hosts various restaurants, treasure-laden gift shops, and home-spun galleries.
Ocean Beach has successfully created the casual atmosphere, allure, and safety that a resort has to offer…without the resort! It can be a tranquil resort during the spring, fall, and winter but then it morphs into a bustling hub of life during the summer.
With the opposite energy of Lonelyville, Ocean Beach has beautiful beaches, restaurants, nightlife, movies, concerts, tennis, basketball, baseball, art shows, and even an international film festival.
This village is also home to Memorial Day and July 4th celebrations, dock concerts, taxi services, and a boat marina. Just like the other small towns on Fire Island, there are no cars during the summertime.
You can hop on the ferry from Bay Shore, you can hop in a taxi, or on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Just like all of the other small towns on Fire Island you can use water taxis to travel between islands.
Ocean Beach is the perfect place as it is a stress-free and fun-friendly town. Don’t forget to check out the serene beach, warm ocean currents and the array of water sports to be enjoyed.
View Ocean Beach Vacation Rentals.
Image via web.facebook.com/SurfsOut
Seaview, Fire Island
Last but definitely not least on our list is Seaview. Seaview is a family-oriented community comprising about 360 homes. It rests between the Village of Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park in the central region of Fire Island.
Most of the homes are occupied during the weekends from April until November, but many retirees choose to reside in Seaview throughout the summer. These summertime and year-round residents have a deep connection with the island and third and fourth generations of Seaview families are becoming commonplace.
Seaview isn’t commercial and it is extremely private. There is a spacious marina that houses 60 boats. There’s also a playground, a wading pool, six tennis courts, a baseball field, a community house, and the Server Memorial Park.
Most local events are held at the Fire Island Synagogue which acts as a community center.
This loyal town is perhaps one of the most convenient locations on Fire Island and they have one of the finest lifeguard-supervised beaches in the community.
Seaview does have a direct ferry line from Bay Shore but during the off-season, it relies heavily on the Ocean Beach Line. Like Lonelyville, Seaview is a great place to relax, unplug and spend some time with your loved ones and family.
View Seaview Vacation Rentals.
Transportation in Fire Island
We’ve mentioned transportation several times throughout this blog but let’s get into the nitty-gritty of it now.
One of the most common questions in regard to traveling to Fire Island is “can I bring my car?” and the answer is…yes and no.
You can drive to Robert Moses Beach and walk to the Fire Island Lighthouse, which was an important landmark for transatlantic ships coming into New York Harbor at the turn of the 1900s. For many immigrants, this historic lighthouse was the first sight of land in America! Long Island itself has more than 20 lighthouses, but the one on Fire Island is 168 feet tall which makes it the tallest!
You can also drive your car to the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness. Otis Pike Fire is the only federally designated wilderness in New York State. Yes, that means it’s a National Park!
You can drive to the east end of the park to enjoy the wilderness throughout the year.
Now, just because you can drive to these two great spots doesn’t mean you can drive on the entire island. As we’ve discussed above many island communities here do not allow cars. Bikes are the best way to explore the island!
The Ferries to Fire Island are passenger-only and have a limit on how much luggage you can bring on board. Most of the roads on Fire Island are reserved for emergency and state-owned vehicles.
There are three ferries that take about 30 minutes to reach the islands. They depart from Bay Shore, Saville, and Patchogue. These 3 ferries run regularly during the summer and more infrequently during the off-season months. If you’re planning on staying for an extended trip then you can ship some of your belongings over to the island on a freight ferry.
Image via fireisland.com
Bring Your Walking Shoes
Since cars are not permitted on most of the island make sure you bring good walking shoes. The Fire Island Beach Walk is a 21-mile trail that starts from Bay Shore to Fire Island and back. You can also walk the entire length of the island on the Robert Moses State Park at the western end of Fire Island until you go through Saltaire, Cherry Grove, and the Pines.
The best way to blaze your trail throughout Fire Island is by bicycle, golf cart, your own feet, or a water taxi (to get from island to island).
The Best Options for Vacationing on Fire Island
Figure out what it is you’re looking for in a vacation spot, and go from there. If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded time away from it all then try Lonelyville. If you’re looking for a party and a good time, then head over to Kismet! Or, if you want a bit of both, stay somewhere like Ocean Beach and just hop on a water taxi or your own boat to enjoy the abundance of activities these small communities have to offer.
Why Choose Fire Island for Your Next Vacation?
Fire Island is a unique vacation destination that offers a mix of natural beauty, vibrant communities, and a laid-back vibe. Situated just 60 miles east of New York City, it is easily accessible yet feels worlds away. The island boasts beautiful beaches and a variety of accommodations, from cozy cottages to spacious vacation homes. With no cars allowed on the island, you’ll enjoy a peaceful retreat with the ocean breeze and the sound of waves as your backdrop.
Visitors flock to Fire Island for its serene atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and a slower pace of life. The island’s charm lies in its ability to offer both relaxation and adventure. Whether you want to lounge by the pool, explore the island’s coastline, or enjoy beautiful ocean views, Fire Island has something for everyone.
Exploring the Different Fire Island Communities
Fire Island New York is home to several charming communities, each with its own unique character and attractions. Ocean Beach, the island’s unofficial capital, is a bustling hamlet known for its lively atmosphere and vibrant nightlife. With an array of restaurants, shops, and bars, it’s the perfect destination for those looking to enjoy the local scene.
Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines are renowned for their LGBTQ+-friendly atmosphere and host a variety of events, including the famous Fire Island Dance Festival. These areas boast a vibrant culture and offer a welcoming environment for all travelers. Meanwhile, Ocean Bay Park is a laid-back neighborhood that provides a more relaxed vibe, making it ideal for families and those seeking a quieter escape.
Each community offers a variety of vacation rental options, from cozy cabins to luxurious oceanfront vacation rentals. Exploring these areas allows you to find the perfect spot to suit your preferences and enjoy everything Fire Island offers.
Image via villageofoceanbeach.org
Top Vacation Rentals in Fire Island: Finding Your Perfect Home Away From Home
When it comes to vacation rentals in Fire Island, there are plenty of options available to cater to every traveler’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a quaint beach cottage or a spacious house rental, Fire Island has something to offer. Many rentals boast breathtaking ocean views and convenient access to the beach.
Oceanfront vacation rentals provide the ultimate experience, allowing you to wake up to the sound of the waves and enjoy stunning sunsets from your deck. For those seeking a pet-friendly option, several rentals allow furry companions to join the vacation fun.
If you prefer a more luxurious stay, consider renting a condo with amenities such as a pool, hot tub, and air conditioning. Families or larger groups may opt for a two-bedroom vacation home, providing ample space and comfort to accommodate everyone comfortably.
What Popular Amenities For Fire Island Can You Expect in Vacation Rentals?
Fire Island vacation rentals come equipped with various amenities to enhance your stay. Many rentals feature spacious bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchens, making them ideal for families and groups. You’ll also find rentals with outdoor decks and waterfront views, perfect for enjoying a morning coffee or evening cocktail.
Popular amenities for Fire Island vacation rentals include air conditioning, fast Wi-Fi to stay connected, and pet-friendly options for those traveling with furry friends. Some rentals even offer cottages with a pool or hot tub for added relaxation.
Additionally, rentals in Fire Island often provide beach gear, such as chairs, umbrellas, and towels, ensuring you have everything you need for a day at the beach. With a wide range of amenities available, you’re sure to find the perfect vacation rental that meets your needs and preferences.
Image via seaviewfireisland.com
Fire Island Beach Guide: Best Spots to Soak Up the Sun
Fire Island is renowned for its stunning beaches, offering visitors a variety of spots to enjoy the sun and surf. Ocean Beach is one of the island’s most popular destinations, boasting a lively atmosphere and easy access to nearby restaurants and shops. It’s a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
For a more secluded experience, head to the Fire Island National Seashore, where you can explore untouched dunes and natural beauty. The Sunken Forest is another must-visit destination, offering a unique landscape of maritime forest and dunes.
Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines also offer beautiful beaches with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to relax or engage in water sports, Fire Island’s beaches provide the perfect setting for a memorable day by the ocean.
Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions on Fire Island
Fire Island is a family-friendly destination with plenty of activities and attractions to entertain visitors of all ages. Take a bike ride along the island’s scenic paths or enjoy a leisurely hike through the Fire Island National Seashore. The island also offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, making it a great educational experience for kids.
A visit to the Fire Island Lighthouse is a must for history enthusiasts, offering panoramic views of the island and surrounding waters. Robert Moses State Park is another popular destination, featuring a beautiful beach, picnic areas, and a nature trail.
During the summer, families can enjoy various events and activities, such as the Fourth of July parade and the Fire Island Dance Festival. With its diverse range of family-friendly attractions, Fire Island is the perfect destination for a memorable family vacation.
Maximizing Your Experience on Fire Island
To make the most of your Fire Island vacation, take the time to explore the island’s diverse communities and natural attractions. Start by choosing the perfect vacation rental that suits your needs and preferences, whether it’s a cozy cabin or a luxurious oceanfront home.
Plan your days to include a mix of relaxation and adventure. Spend your mornings lounging on the beach or by the pool, and your afternoons exploring the island’s hiking trails or visiting local attractions like the Fire Island Lighthouse.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the island’s vibrant dining scene. Sample fresh seafood at one of the many local restaurants, or enjoy a cocktail at a beachside bar. With its unique blend of relaxation and adventure, Fire Island offers an unforgettable vacation experience.
Fire Island Dining: Where to Dine and Drink
Fire Island boasts a diverse dining scene, offering a variety of options to suit every taste. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual beachside meal or a fine dining experience, you’ll find plenty of options to satisfy your cravings.
Ocean Beach is home to several popular restaurants and bars, serving everything from fresh seafood to classic American fare. Enjoy a sunset dinner at a waterfront restaurant or grab a drink at a lively beach bar.
For a more upscale dining experience, head to Fire Island Pines, where you’ll find gourmet restaurants and trendy bars. Don’t miss the opportunity to dine at Cherry Grove, known for its vibrant nightlife and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to indulge in a seafood feast or enjoy a casual meal with a view, Fire Island’s dining scene has something for everyone.
Tips for Booking and Renting Vacation Homes on Fire Island
When booking a vacation rental on Fire Island, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure you find the perfect accommodation for your needs. Start by determining your budget and the type of rental you’re looking for, whether it’s a cozy cottage or a spacious vacation home.
Consider the amenities that are most important to you, such as a pool, ocean views, or pet-friendly options. Be sure to read guest reviews and check for availability during your desired travel dates.
It’s also a good idea to book early, especially if you’re planning to visit during peak season or popular events like the Fourth of July. Once you’ve found the perfect vacation rental, complete your reservation and prepare for a memorable Fire Island getaway.
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