74°
Mostly Sunny
1%
82
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 a beach walk.
74°F air · 69°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 3 to 13 mph.
Tonight
A chance of rain showers between 2am and 5am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 74°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 69°F water — swimmable, refreshing
80 /100
great
81 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
74°F
Clear
Wind
3 to 13 mph
S
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
75°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
69°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
5:31 PM
5.1 ft · in 2.8h
Wave Height
2.0 ft
8s · SE swell
Water Quality
Clean
0 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 9mo 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
5:22 AM
Sunset
8:27 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:59 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 11:13 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 5:31 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
75°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Partly Sunny
59%
31
75°
Rain Showers Likely
71%
41
77°
Mostly Sunny
7%
84
77°
Mostly Sunny
2%
82
79°
Mostly Sunny
9%
82
81°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
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
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Minor
1:30 AM - 2:30 AM
Major
8:20 AM - 10:20 AM
Minor
4:30 PM - 5:30 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
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
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