VISITING FIRE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE , FIRE ISLAND NY

I’ve been planning to visit Fire Island for roughly 3 years ever since I moved to New York and I finally had the chance to take a small day trip. Really the only thing I knew about Fire Island was that there was a lighthouse there but other than that I wasn’t sure what I would find there. I hope this post clears things up on what you can expect so you too can have an amazing beach day in Fire Island.

Fire Island’s year-round population of about 400 residents grows to an estimated 20,000 during summer months. The main mode of transportation is walking and biking but of course some locals have golf carts and boats to get around.

HOW TO GET TO FIRE ISLAND

There are multiple ways to get to Fire Island from Manhattan or Long Island.

I began the day by driving to Robert Moses State Park, taking exit 41 from Sunrise Highway then merging onto Robert Moses Causeway. These directions are if you are coming from eastern Long Island, if you are driving from Brooklyn you’ll want to take exit 40 from Southern State Pkwy to Robert Moses Causeway and continue south.

The Suffolk County Transit S47 Bus makes stops at the beach with connections at the Babylon Long Island Rail Road station. The S47 summer service runs from June 17 to September 2 with a fare of $2.25 each way. You can print out the bus schedule and route here.

Fire Island Map via National Park Service

PARKING

Upon arriving there is a $10 fee to park at Robert Moses State Park from sunrise to sunset. They do accept credit and debit if you are short on cash.

At the front entrance of the parking lot there is a few restrooms that are provided for the beach, but if you plan to visit the lighthouse and the small towns ahead I suggest parking on the east end of the parking lot. Before beginning your walk I would consider using the restroom since this will be your only chance for quite some time. Follow the boardwalk for roughly ¾-mile to the lighthouse.

Parking is $10 per car 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m

GETTING TO THE LIGHTHOUSE

It’s pretty straightforward but follow the boardwalk that goes from the parking lot to the lighthouse. It’s a really beautiful walk, especially on a windy day seeing the tall grass shifting in the wind.

The walk down the boardwalk to the lighthouse is gorgeous. You can take a nice walk along the dunes on the boardwalk to get to the lighthouse. We happen to visit mid-summer and if you do the same, consider bringing a hat and wearing plenty of sunscreen!

TAKE A TOUR OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

If you have extra time on your hands book a tour to see the top of the lighthouse, commit to climbing 182 stairs to see from the top. Once you get to the top you can actually see the New York City skyline.

Admission to view the inside of the lighthouse is $8 per person.

LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY

Explore the different exhibits on Fire Island’s maritime history and learn interesting historic details. Just before you arrive at the lighthouse you can see the ruins of the first lighthouse that was removed. The materials from the previous lighthouse were recycled into the present-day lighthouse which was completed in 1858. Stop inside the Fire Island Lighthouse Museum where you’ll find a few interesting reads inside, such as more information about the lighthouse itself, the life of the light-keeper who maintained it, artifacts, and old photographs.

Fun Fact: The Fire Island Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on Long Island.

Located near the beach just behind the Fire Island Lighthouse you’ll find this 1939 boathouse. Inside they hold an exhibit on the U. S. Lifesaving Service and there is a display of original hand-paddled rescue boats and other equipment. Located just outside they have the bones of a juvenile humpback whale. They have a sign that mentions they aren’t sure how the whale died but it was found in Ocean Beach, just 4 miles from the lighthouse.

WALK DOWN TO THE BEACH

Right after walking past the lighthouse you’ll come to a fork in the road with the option to continue straight into the community of Kismet or turning left to walk down to the dock. Turn left and continue straight on the boardwalk. It’s incredibly peaceful and the perfect place to set up a picnic!

VISIT THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

Before visiting Fire island I did my fair share of reading up on Fire Island and I tried to understand why cars were not allowed within the central area of Fire Island, but once we arrived I finally understood! The island has small roads that are made of wood therefore making it quite hard for cars to drive on but instead easier for residents to ride their bikes and walk to the beach. The island is pretty small so I can’t imagine the type of traffic there would be in the summer, so it’s a good thing for everyone.

Fire Island Communities Map via Fire Island Finder

A neat little feature I noticed was every home had a bike rack and wagons in the entrance of their homes. The atmosphere here is so relaxing and calm, it almost makes me want to buy a home here and enjoy the beach daily.

While exploring keep an eye out for while life, we came across a few deer and some adorable seagulls while walking around Kismet. Just make sure to avoid feeding them, they feed off the land and we wouldn’t want to disrupt their lifestyle.

ENJOY THE VIEW AT KISMET BEACH

Enjoy dipping your toes in the clear blue water on a nice hot summer day, have a picnic on the beach, or enjoy a nice afternoon relaxing. If you’re looking for a nice beach this summer that isn’t packed I’d suggest visiting Kismet Beach, it’s a great place to soak up some sun while watching surfers ride the waves. If you happen to make a day of it, make sure you stick around for the sunset, it’s as gorgeous as it gets.

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN KISMET

Surf’s Out - If you’re looking for a refreshing restaurant make sure stop here for a delicious lobster roll or some lobster mac and cheese. It’s conveniently located near the Bayshore ferry dock and just a quick 5 minute walk from Kismet Beach.

Fire Island Tap - After a long day of swimming and exploring Fire Island Tap is the perfect place to enjoy the evening with a glass of wine and a plate of cheese or get a charcuterie board to share.

Although we only explored from the Field 5 parking lot to Saltaire and only got a small glimpse of what Fire Island has to offer, I will definitely be coming back to explore of the island in the near future! If you happen to know fun things to do further within the island I would love to hear it!

Comment any suggestions below!

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