Boards, boats, charters

From the city

1. 1

   Pick the town first

   Ocean Beach is Bay Shore. Cherry Grove and the Pines are Sayville. Davis Park and Watch Hill are Patchogue. The lighthouse is a walk from Robert Moses Field 5.

2. 2

   LIRR, then taxi

   Babylon Branch for Bay Shore. Montauk Branch for Sayville and Patchogue. The stations are not the terminals — budget a taxi.

3. 3

   Ticket at the dock

   Bay Shore sells via booth, app, or Uber. Sayville takes cash or card at the window. Patchogue is in-person only, 15 minutes early.

4. 4

   Wagon on, wagon off

   There are no cars in the towns. A folding wagon is the local suitcase. Fire Island Ferries bans bikes, even folders.

What to bring

• A folding wagon — more useful than a second bag
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat; shade is scarce
• Cash as backup; some windows still prefer it
• Layers for the bay crossing; it is windier than the beach
• Bug spray for the Sunken Forest after rain
• A light for unlit walks after supper
• Respect for dunes, nesting closures, and private walks
• Patience for deer in the middle of the path