77°
Mostly Sunny
6%
53
Suffolk County, NY · Atlantic Ocean
Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill
Watch Hill, Fire Island National Seashore, Patchogue, NY 11772
NPS-managed barrier-island outpost reached only by ferry from Patchogue or by boat. Wilder and quieter than the state parks: a guarded swim beach, a 26-site family campground, a marina, and a boardwalk trail through the Otis Pike Wilderness — the only federally designated wilderness in New York State.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 77°F air · 72°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 23 to 32 mph.
Weather
- 77°F air — ideal beach weather
- 21 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 72°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued september 9 at 2:06pm edt until september 10 at 8:00am edt by nws upton ny
53 /100
ok
44 Swim
63 Sunbathe
78 Walk
34 Fish
74 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued September 9 at 2:06PM EDT until September 10 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 1 to 3 feet expected. * WHERE...Long Island Sound, New York Harbor, Peconic and Gardiners Bays, and South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
77°F
Clear
Wind
17 to 21 mph
S
Rain
6%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
7 High
High 12 PM–02 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
81°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
72°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
7:17 PM
5.9 ft · in 0m
Wave Height
1.6 ft
10s · ESE swell
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ353)
The OKX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NYZ075 Kings (Brooklyn) — Coney Island Beach and Manhattan Beach Low in the AM, becoming high late
- NYZ178 Southern Queens — Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway Beach Low in the AM, becoming high late
- NYZ179 Southern Nassau — Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Low in the AM, becoming high late
- NYZ080 Southwestern Suffolk — Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park Low in the AM, becoming high late
- NYZ081 Southeastern Suffolk — Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, Low in the AM, becoming high late
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:26 AM
Sunset
7:12 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:57 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 6:59 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 1:06 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:17 PM | High | 5.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:45 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 7:47 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 1:57 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:03 PM | High | 5.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:30 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 8:32 AM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 2:47 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:47 PM | High | 5.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:13 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 9:16 AM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 3:33 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 9:30 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:53 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 9:58 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 4:17 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 10:13 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:30 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 10:41 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 4:58 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:58 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:06 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 11:25 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:40 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 11:45 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8531680, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
81°
Mostly Sunny
12%
65
75°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
21%
73
73°
Mostly Sunny
1%
78
76°
Chance Rain Showers
53%
56
76°
Mostly Sunny
3%
79
75°
Mostly Sunny
2%
76
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 17 to 21 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
10:20 PM - 12:20 AM
Minor
4:10 AM - 5:10 AM
Major
10:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Minor
6:10 PM - 7:10 PM
Beach Info
Parking
No vehicle access. Park at the Davis Park Ferry terminal in Patchogue; round-trip ferry required.
Dogs
Leashed dogs allowed on most NPS beaches year-round EXCEPT during piping-plover nesting closures (roughly Mar 15 – Labor Day on posted stretches).
Entry Fee
No NPS entrance fee. Ferry and camping fees apply.
Address
Watch Hill, Fire Island National Seashore, Patchogue, NY 11772
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill today?
Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs allowed on most NPS beaches year-round EXCEPT during piping-plover nesting closures (roughly Mar 15 – Labor Day on posted stretches).
Is there an entry fee at Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill?
No NPS entrance fee. Ferry and camping fees apply.
Are there lifeguards at Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill?
Amenities at Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, picnic area, concessions, camping, boat ramp.
When is the water warmest at Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill located?
Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill is in Suffolk County, NY, at Watch Hill, Fire Island National Seashore, Patchogue, NY 11772.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS