Your Guide to Everything Fire Island

Why I created the Fire Island Finder

I fell in love with Fire Island in the 70’s when I took a share in a Lonelyville house. The lifestyle, the ocean, the relaxed vibe got me right away. I am now a homeowner in Saltaire, one of the loveliest towns on the Island. I created the Fire Island Finder travel guide because I often had trouble finding local businesses on the Island and the mainland in one directory.

Let the Finder be your guide to the towns, transportation, businesses and sightseeing that make life at the beach even more heavenly. If you are a business, contact me for a listing or a web page. Kick off your shoes and explore paradise with us!

Leave your shoes and the real world behind

As the ferry leaves the mainland, the scent of saltwater calms you and you’ll feel like you’ve left civilization behind along with your shoes. The lushness of Fire Island always surprises visitors, but residents know how magical this place is. You are never more than a few minute’s walk from the beach or the bay so you are always near the water. The absence of cars in season keeps the air fresh and the boardwalks safe for kids to run free.

Nature lovers come here for the abundant flora and fauna. We enjoy bird watching, deer spotting, cloud gazing and keeping cool under the foliage. The Fire Island Lighthouse on the western end is a wonderful destination and the view from the top is worth the climb.

Fire Island’s 15 towns dot a 32-mile stretch of glorious Atlantic Ocean beaches and the Great South Bay, each with a distinct personality. The Fire Island Finder is your travel guide to the towns, maps, events, transportation, sightseeing and business resources that make life at the beach even more heavenly.

About Fire island National Seashore

Many people say Fire island is like summer camp for adults. Here you feel free of the city stresses. It’s less crowded and more relaxed than the Hamptons, and because it is designated as National Seashore, you cannot drive onto this part of the island. People ride bikes to get around and use wagons to cart their stuff from the ferry dock, market or beach to their house.

Here, the ocean breeze is fresher and kids are safer. The beaches are wide, clean and the sand soft on your toes. The island is long (About 32 miles) and very narrow, so you are never more than a few minute’s walk to the beach or the bay. Water sports like sailing, surfing, boogie-boarding, windsurfing, parasailing, fishing and wave diving are a religion here. The beaches are dotted with sandcastles, Kadima players, people strolling, or catching a nap under an umbrella. Joggers are always out early for a morning run. Hanging out on FI is an art form.

The towns and villages are mainly small, and people get to know one another. Renting for a week—or a month—is a wildly popular, hassle-free vacation. Leave your shoes behind and put your toes in the soft sand.

We aim to make life at the beach even more heavenly.

Here’s the ferry schedules and how to get here.  Search our Business Directory to find a place to stay, rent or buy, where to eat, shop and find service people. Discover the unique character of the towns and villages, get town maps or learn more about the flora and fauna of the Island. You’ll see why Fire Islanders love this place! Contact the Fire Island Finder to get your business listed, leave us a comment or send me YOUR favorite pictures and stories.