78°
Sunny
0%
85
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
Ideal for fishing.
78°F air · 72°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. Southeast wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 70. South wind 2 to 8 mph.
Weather
- 78°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 72°F water — swimmable, refreshing
85 /100
ideal
82 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
88 Fish
82 Photo
Best for fishing 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
78°F
Clear
Wind
9 mph
SE
Rain
0%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
78°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
72°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
6:50 PM
6.1 ft · in 3.6h
Wave Height
2.3 ft
7s · SSW swell
Water Quality
Clean
0 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
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 Moderate
- NYZ178 Southern Queens — Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway Beach Moderate
- NYZ179 Southern Nassau — Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Moderate
- NYZ080 Southwestern Suffolk — Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park Moderate
- NYZ081 Southeastern Suffolk — Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, Moderate
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:31 AM
Sunset
8:23 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:37 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:27 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 12:30 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 6:50 PM | High | 6.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:34 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 7:26 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 1:29 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 7:46 PM | High | 6.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:29 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 8:21 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 2:27 PM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 8:39 PM | High | 6.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:22 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 9:15 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 3:23 PM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 9:31 PM | High | 6.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:10 AM | Low | -0.6 ft |
| 10:09 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 4:15 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:22 PM | High | 5.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:56 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 11:03 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:05 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:14 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:40 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:57 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:55 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8531680, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
78°
Sunny
0%
81
82°
Sunny
0%
71
85°
Sunny
7%
70
82°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
15%
79
80°
Mostly Sunny
6%
84
80°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
75
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
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
9:40 PM - 11:40 PM
Minor
2:40 AM - 3:40 AM
Major
10:10 AM - 12:10 PM
Minor
7:00 PM - 8:00 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