How can I get to Fire Island?

You can come to the communities of Fire Island on a ferry, your own boat, or you can drive to Robert Moses State Park, which is the state park on the west end of Fire Island, and walk or bicycle in to the west end communities. Ferries depart from Bay Shore, Sayville and Patchogue and arrive at the different Fire Island communities.

How many communities are there on Fire Island?

There are seventeen different residential communities on Fire Island. They are clustered in three areas, the west end, the center most communities and the easterly communities. Fire Island Beach Rentals specializes in properties on the west end which includes the communities of Kismet, Saltaire, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Lonelyville, Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park.

Which ferry do I use to get to the different communities?

All the communities on the west end have ferry service which is located in Bay Shore, NY. Go to www.FireIslandFerries.com to check the schedule for these boats.

How do I get things like bicycles, furniture and large items to my Fire Island vacation home?

You will use the freight boat to bring your things over to Fire Island. Go to www.FireIslandFerries.com to get additional information. Once your freight arrives on Fire Island, you need to pick it up at the various community docks and either arranges to have those items brought over to your house or you can bring them yourself on your wagon or bicycle. There are contractors who assist homeowners in carting their freight.

What are the typical rents in the communities of the west end of Fire Island?

You can expect to pay from $2500 per week to $7500 per week depending on a number of factors. The size and location of the house, the month and the community the house is in. Typically, August is the most expensive month to rent. Seasonal rents (Memorial Day to Labor Day) range from $15,000 to $50,000 in the west end communities. An ocean front or bay front property will be a premium property.

How many grocery stores are there on the west end? When do they open and close for the season?

There are markets in Kismet, Saltaire and Fair Harbor. There are also liquor stores in Saltaire and Fair Harbor. Typically they open sometime in May and close sometime in September. Of the three markets, the one in Fair Harbor stays open latest in to the fall season.

What other commercial services are available in the west end communities?

There are three restaurants, the Kismet Inn and the Kismet Out in Kismet. There is also The Dock restaurant in Fair Harbor. The Kismet Inn typically stays open late in to the fall season. The Dock and the Kismet Out usually close sometime in September. The Saltaire Yacht Club has a restaurant but is open to members only. There is also a general store in Fair Harbor. You can get many general provisions there as well as bicycle parts and repairs.
There are many local contractors who provide services to renters and homeowners. Please refer to the local newspapers or contact your real estate broker for the phone number and names of someone who can assist you.

If I rent a house this summer, where can I keep my boat?

You can moor a boat in many locations on the west end of Fire Island. You may be able to rent a boat slip in the Kismet marina for the summer. Please contact the Kismet Inn for further information. The phone number is 631.583.5592. There are marinas in other communities, but they are set aside for property owners.