There are no cars on Fire Island.
The passenger boat to Fair Harbor and the Little Jumping Dog House departs from the Fire Island Ocean Beach Ferry Main Terminal at 99 Maple Avenue in Bay Shore on Long Island, NY.
The freight boat delivers Monday through Saturday.
Fire Island Ferries information
Once on Fire Island, people travel by barefoot or bicycle.
getting to the Fire Island Ocean Beach Ferry Terminal 99 Maple Avenue Bay Shore 11706
by car
There is no secret shortcut to the south shore of Long Island. Traffic can be pretty awful. Leave plenty of time. On a Friday afternoon, two-and-a-half hours from NYC is not unusual. Once you arrive, there are a number of parking lots [ $ cash only ]. When the main lot is full, the Maple Avenue Marina next door and the valet lot across the street are your next choices. You can call ahead for up-to-date parking recommendations 631.665.3600.
by train
The Long Island Rail Road Babylon Line connects to Bay Shore one stop beyond Babylon. Taxi mini-buses meet arriving trains to shuttle passengers to the ferry terminals. [ $5 cash only ] The "Ocean Beach" shuttle runs directly to the Fire Island Ocean Beach Ferry Terminal.
If you should choose to walk from the train station, Fire Island Ferries is located roughly one mile south of the station via Fourth Avenue. Fourth Avenue becomes Maple Avenue at Main Street.
what to do if you find yourself with time in Bay Shore
Main Street Bay Shore, halfway between the train station and the ferry terminal, is in full-blown renaissance. Like many of the small town centers along the South Shore of Long Island, decades of "forgotten downtown" decay have given way to "re-discovery and revitalization" thanks in great part to the foodie revolution. Bay Shore was in notably bad shape, so the transformation is especially thrilling. A substantial number of good restaurants and shops line the two blocks to the East and West of Fourth/Maple Avenue: Salt&Barrel Oyster and Craft Cocktail Bar , Frank & Maria's Italian Pork Store , AJ's Gourmet Grilled Cheese Shop to name just a few. Right at the main terminal, Nicky's Clam Bar is king. Beyond the ferry terminals at the end of Maple Avenue, The Lakehouse Great South Bay is THE go-to for fine dining locally.