Fire Island in the summer (Bay Shore, Sayville: rental, how much, houses)

[Jrprofess]

We are contemplating trying to explore Fire Island a bit this summer, with either a rental for a week (probably too much coin for that...but who knows) but at the very least for a few day trips throughout the warmer months. For anybody who knows the Island well and has visited I am wondering this:

What beach areas are family friendly - meaning, easy access to a pavillion, bathrooms, some food maybe, etc.

What are your favorite areas that are maybe not as packed as others?

Confirm the ferry terminal parking and ferry logistics

Any comments on good restaurants for dinner, a drink, etc.

Thanks in advance.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by Jrprofess

We are contemplating trying to explore Fire Island a bit this summer, with either a rental for a week (probably too much coin for that...but who knows) but at the very least for a few day trips throughout the warmer months. For anybody who knows the Island well and has visited I am wondering this:

What beach areas are family friendly - meaning, easy access to a pavillion, bathrooms, some food maybe, etc.

What are your favorite areas that are maybe not as packed as others?

Confirm the ferry terminal parking and ferry logistics

Any comments on good restaurants for dinner, a drink, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Davis Park/Patchogue and Ocean Beach/Bay Shore are family friendly.

For eat/drink Davis Park is the Casino and OB is Flynns as I recall.

Davis Park is more mellow of the 2.

Enjoy
Crooks

[Johninwestbury]

I love most of Fire Island, though some areas are better than others. My favorites are Kismet and Saltaire. They are very laid back, ppl are friendly, nice houses and streets and not too mobbed. Right by Robert Moses State Park where there's some beautiful places to walk. Very good ferry service from Bay Shore. Though be warned, they hiked the ferry fare to $9 each way!
I also like Davis Park, it's a lot more "out there" but very scenic. Ferry service from Patchogue, some of the boats they use are kinda rickety tho.
Davis Park is by Watch Hill which is beautiful with stunted piney woods and trails, and you can camp there too. Another beautiful area I love is the Sunken Forest, which is just a short 10-15 min walk from Cherry Grove, beautiful stunted forest with pines, bogs, and of course a great beach. You can get to Sunken Forest and Davis Park (as well as FI Pines) with the Sayville Ferry Service, which has best service and boats.
Only place I dont care for much is Ocean Beach. It is way too crowded in summer, and being "the land of no" you're likely to be harassed by the village police for the most mundane stuff, you cant carry food and drinks outside of the commercial area and on the beach. The cops there are known for beating ppl for no reason. Unfortunately Hessey and the gang just got off big time and will prob be back, so stay out of Ocean Beach or be on your best behavior there. Also the ppl in OB have a tendency to be more stuck up and snobby, its sorta the "East Hills of Fire Island".
But with the exception of O.B., Fire Island is a great place, and I cant wait to visit, once the weather gets a bit warmer.

[fyrisle]

I think Davis Park meets your criteria and, as JohninWestbury noted, you can walk to Watch Hill which would give you some variety. At Davis Park, you can spend time at a fairly quiet beach (even on a busy day you can find some amount of privacy within a 1 or 2 minute walk) then stop at the general store or the Casino restaurant/bar for a bite to eat. On another day, while visiting Watch Hill (about a 15 minute walk from the east end of Davis Park/Ocean Ridge) , you can follow a nature trail that goes through multiple ecosystems. Make sure you look at a map first and stop at the top of Watch Hill for a scenic view. You can later visit the beach and then stop at the restaurant there for lunch.

One small correction to JohninWestbury's note: the Davis Park Ferry departs from Patchogue.

[Johninwestbury]

Actually it was a typo, but yes, Davis Park is from Patchogue.

[Jrprofess]

Thank you all.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by Jrprofess

Thank you all.

Just day tripped with kids to Davis Park last Sat.

Still has the magic.

My wife has lived on LI her whole life and never been there.
She was speechless.

Fire Island is really one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

I think it has a lot to do with the absence of cars.

Crooks

[Peter B]

Fire Island is magical. It is an amazing place to spend time in the summer. The water, the sand, the pace of life, it's absolutely hypnotic

[I_Love_LI_but]

Go on the 4th of July for the Invasion of the Pines. It's quite the spectacle and it's free.

[WJFM]

What is the best way of getting there ( Davis Park and other parts of fire island)? Is ferry the best way? How much walking do you have to do? I am wondering if its a good idea to take an 18 month old to Fire island on a day trip, since a stroller will not really work on the beach and an 18 month old cannot really walk too far, so I will have to carry her everywhere.