70°
Sunny
0%
67
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
Great day for a beach walk.
Cool but workable
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny. High near 70, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. South wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 70°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
69 /100
good
56 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
66 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 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
70°F
Clear
Wind
10 mph
S
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
69°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Next High Tide
10:35 PM
5.0 ft · in 1.2h
Wave Height
2.6 ft
9s · E swell
Barometer
30.20 inHg
1023 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
0 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo 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 Low
- NYZ178 Southern Queens — Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway Beach Low
- NYZ179 Southern Nassau — Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Low
- NYZ080 Southwestern Suffolk — Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park Low
- NYZ081 Southeastern Suffolk — Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, Low
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:22 AM
Sunset
8:18 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:39 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:36 AM | High | 4.1 ft |
| 4:30 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 10:35 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
69°
Sunny
1%
67
73°
Mostly Sunny
0%
75
74°
Mostly Sunny
3%
66
70°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
66%
17
65°
Chance Rain Showers
31%
47
65°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
57
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 61°F
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.
Minor
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
2:10 AM - 4:10 AM
Minor
7:20 AM - 8:20 AM
Major
2:40 PM - 4:40 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