Fire Island

I took the watch hill ferry across – the ferry ride itself was stunning, especially on the way back at sunset. The beach was much better than I expected for the area (I’ve never been to a beach on the east coast of the US before).

Come to think of it. This is my first experience swimming in the Atlantic!

I was there with a bunch of stoners, and wasn’t really enjoying it on the same level as them, but I appreciated their sand-mermaid.

I love all beaches, but especially ones with natural vegetation beside them instead of stupid buildings, like this one. That said, it was nice to have a place to eat and drink not too far away, but I’m glad they at least put it the other side of the sand dune.

We sat in the bar waiting for the 6:30pm ferry to come to take us home, then at 6:20pm realised that the ferry was in fact due to leave at 6:15pm, so couldn’t leave till 8:15pm. Guess that’s a good reason not to let a bunch of stoners organise your trip :P

we stayed in a beautiful beach house and rode bikes all over the island. at night go run on the beach- theres a florescence in the sand and waves that light up when moved- so while it may be midnight and you cant see anything you can see the waves rolling in and the sand kicked back from running down the beach. comb the seashore for horshoe crabs, jelly fish, shells, and flying fish! amazing- first perfect beach experience ever- pure and lovely!!!

Read about the Fire Island National Seashore in Nat’l Geo Explorer. Its supposed to be camper-friendly with empty beaches, dunes, thickets of black cherry trees. FI itself has “rare forest of wind-stunted holly trees.” The article warns that mosquitoes are bad here in summer.

One of the best beaches on Earth. About 30 communities but the most notorious (and beautiful) are the predominately gay communities of Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove.

The ferry stops running at 1. Needless to say if your out there to party make sure you can get off the island! My friends and I had to walk two miles across the island at 3 in the morning cause the pier we had arrived at closed. By the time we got on the boat it was so late that the boat actually ended up stoping that original pier we were at! Needless to say I wasnt happy… But it was a great time, Lots of bars, great atmosphere!