FIRE ISLAND, NEW YORK

Fire Island Home Exchange

“There is no place on earth like it” is what most people say about Fire Island, a 30 mile long stretch of sand, 5 miles from the south side of mainland Long Island and only one hour from the bustle of New York City. There are no cars and no roads except for the “Burma Road” a sand trail that runs the length of the island used for emergency vehicles during high season. The small population of year round residents have special permits for the off season. In season everyone hops on a ferry from Long Island to their community, unlocks their wagon, deposits their packages in it (often a child’s red wagon) and pulls it along a sidewalk or boardwalk to their home.

This barrier beach (actually a sand bar) has 17 different communities and each is unique with a personality of its own. There is the small, one sidewalk community of Robbins Rest with 30 houses, and the large, jet set community called The Pines. With a few hundred stunning homes, The Pines has a beautiful boat harbor, restaurants, and famed discos--one simply called the Botel where you can dance at “tea” starting in the late afternoon.  

Runners greet the early morning along the shore, and children gather shells and play in the ocean all day.  It is a tranquil place where sunsets are spectacular and sunrises are beautiful. There are no private beaches with lounges and umbrellas lined up as you see in Europe. You can sit anywhere you like and be only a 2 second walk from the water or a 2 minute walk from your house.

Walking along the ocean you can go from the Historical Lighthouse at one end, (still operating and open to the public) to the Sunken Forest, a primeval holly forest in the center and even further. If walking is not your thing, water taxis fly by on the Great South Bay up and down the island carrying residents from one community to the other. Many communities have restaurants and small gourmet markets. If you like to fish, surf, swim, wind surf, surf, play basketball, tennis, or smashball, garden, or simply read on your deck or screen porch, there is a place on Fire Island for you. And, best of all, it is close to NYC-- but a world away. Visitors make memories to last a lifetime.

Ellen Frankel
Exchange your home with Ellen