Shelter Island is the calmest beach day on the East End. Two beaches are lifeguarded, Crescent on the north shore and Wades on the Sound, and Shell Beach is an unguarded spit. The island takes a ferry: the North Ferry from Greenport lands closest to Crescent, and the South Ferry from Sag Harbor is the other route. Hamptons Commute covers schedules.
Beach permits are required May 15 to September 15 and sold at the Town Clerk's Office, so read Hamptons Beach Pass first. Food is on Eat Hamptons' Shelter Island page.
- 10:00amTake the ferry and go straight to Crescent Beach, where the guards come on at 10am.
- 1:00pmSwim and picnic. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are nearby.
- 3:00pmDrive to Wades Beach on the south side for shallow Sound water and the accessible pavilion.
- 5:30pmWalk Shell Beach, unguarded, with views toward West Neck Harbor and the South Fork.
- 7:00pmCatch a ferry back. Check the current schedule on Hamptons Commute.
Swaps
If the north shore is full, go straight to Wades. For the last hour of light, Crescent’s north-facing beach is the better sunset spot, with guards on duty from 10am to 5pm.
Rules to remember
Parts of Shell Beach serve as nesting habitat for plovers and other birds, so keep out of posted areas and keep dogs clear of them.
Renting near the water?
Hamptons Key lists current Shelter Island rentals by the month and the season.