65°
Mostly Sunny
1%
45
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
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny. High near 65, with temperatures falling to around 60 in the afternoon. West wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Weather
- 65°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 4.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued november 7 at 3:19am est until november 8 at 6:00pm est by nws upton ny
45 /100
ok
9 Swim
58 Sunbathe
74 Walk
35 Fish
73 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 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 November 7 at 3:19AM EST until November 8 at 6:00PM EST by NWS Upton NY
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...West winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 2 to 4 feet expected. * WHERE...Long Island Sound, New York Harbor, Peconic and Gardiners Bays, and South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay. * WHEN...From noon today to 6 PM EST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
16 mph
W
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
39 Good
PM2.5 (fine particles) · Long Island Region
UV Peak
3 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~67m
Burn-free before 11 AM & after 01 PM
Tomorrow
61°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Wave Height
4.9 ft
5s · WNW swell
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:29 AM
Sunset
4:42 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 12:19 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:17 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:27 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:40 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 1:04 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:59 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:07 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:18 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 1:47 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:39 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:46 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:55 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 2:28 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 8:19 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:25 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 8:33 AM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 3:08 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:59 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:02 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 9:11 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 3:46 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:43 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:38 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 9:52 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 4:25 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 10:31 PM | High | 3.9 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8531680, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
61°
Sunny
7%
53
57°
Sunny
4%
44
59°
Mostly Sunny
0%
51
57°
Mostly Sunny
0%
54
53°
Chance Light Rain
26%
42
50°
Chance Light Rain
44%
20
What to Bring Today
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 61°F
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
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Minor
4:30 AM - 5:30 AM
Major
9:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Minor
3:10 PM - 4:10 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