By Maria Orlando Pietromonaco
Created by the notorious Hurricane of 1938, Shinnecock Inlet is the easternmost connection from the bays to the Atlantic. This storm-born waterway breaks Dune Road at the South Fork’s base, separating Hampton Bays from Southampton.
By water you can get to Shinnecock Inlet via the Shinnecock Bay or the Atlantic Ocean. This unique tract on the map offers a sublime vantage point - standing on the stone jetties that line the inlet, you have a bird’s eye view of both the vast churning ocean and the serene, idyllic bay. Truly one of my favorite spots on the island.
Navigating the awesome yet sometimes angry inlet can be a quite a challenge for novice captains (and there are many courageous covid captains these days) because of the extremely strong currents and changing shoaling patterns. One fisherman described it as “being in a washing machine,” and in the last twenty years a couple of boats have gone down during the rinse cycle. The inlet is in desperate need of dredging, and lawmakers are in the process of trying to figure out how to pay for the expansive (and expensive!) project.
On and extremely calm day it may seem like not much to handle, and many boats do cruise by with ease. But as you know minutes on the sea mean all the difference, and things can change in an instant. I’ve been through it white-knuckled several times, once just recently that scarred me for weeks. So if you’re not feeling up to the adventure there’s much to do on the bay side where you’ll be safe and sound.
On the west side of the inlet there are two restaurants that hug the bay on Dune Rd. My default, Oakland’s Restaurant and Marina, is blessed with a spectacular view of the bay, inlet, and ocean along with a lush landscape in the background and boats galore in the foreground. A sunset summer cocktail at their beckoning bar is nothing short of a transcendent experience.
Both offer several transient slips, where you can dock and dine and then stroll across Dune Rd to the ocean beach, a county park facility open to the public. The docks are also a great place to hang out and wait for the commercial and amateur fishing boats come in with their catch, especially when there’s a shark or tuna tournament scheduled for the day.
Directly north of these hotspots is a stretch of sandbar which, although visible at high tide, transforms into a remote beach destination exclusively for boaters. According to local legend the sandbar actually has a name and identity, Seagull Island (who knew?). Boaters come from all around to enjoy the seclusion and “middle of nowhere” feel of the mini-island.
At the east side of the inlet is Shinnecock East County Park, a haven for campers, surfers, and beachgoers. You can anchor your boat on the bay side and stroll over to the surf. There are no public facilities on this side, so you’ll have to make friends real fast or get back to your boat when nature calls.
Hailed as a “fish highway,” the inlet is a mecca for all kinds of fish that traverse between the bay and the ocean, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring along a couple of fishing poles for the day. You can fish right off the boat inside or outside the inlet, or better yet plant yourself on the jetty where you can catch them on their journey. Striped bass run in early May, followed by “big head” blues later in the month, and then fluke in late June.
The ocean beaches adjacent to the inlet are beautiful, clean, and wide. You can take in an afternoon lounging on the jetties, going for a swim (though there’s quite a rip), surfing, or just soaking in the sun. It’s fun to watch the different boats set sail into the ocean; giant fishing trawlers, elegant sailboats, and little dinghies that leave you breathless as they brave the current and lashing waves. You’ll even witness fearless jet skiers who have no business being there – bring the popcorn.
Of course if you don’t have a marine vessel, Shinnecock is still an awesome destination by car. We’ve done it many times during colder months or when we just felt like an asphalt journey instead of a cruise through the elements.
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