Saltaire on Fire Island: Events and How to Get There

When planning a trip to Saltaire, three practical questions take center stage: How is the town situated geographically, which annual events might provide a reason to visit, and which arrival point best suits your plans? The Junior Lifeguard Program may also be of interest if ocean safety is relevant to your travel plans.

Fire Island and its administrative setting

Saltaire is on Fire Island, one of Long Island’s barrier islands, which separate the Atlantic Ocean from Great South Bay. At the same time, Saltaire is located in the Town of Islip in Suffolk County. This distinction separates the island’s geographic location from its administrative designation: Fire Island describes its geographic setting, while the Town of Islip and Suffolk County identify its town and county. The names of the two bodies of water also help with orientation, as they mark the sides between which the barrier island lies.

Annual events as a reason to visit

The Saltaire Citizens Association organizes the Bay Picnic & Artisan Fair, a Jogathon, a Sandcastle Contest, and a Fall Festival each year. The names indicate different formats: the Bay Picnic & Artisan Fair combines a picnic and arts and crafts in its title, the Jogathon centers on a run, and the Sandcastle Contest is named as a competition. The Fall Festival adds an autumn celebration to the lineup. This variety is useful when choosing a reason to visit: you can distinguish between an event focused on a festival and picnic, an athletic event, a competition, and a festival.

Getting there via Bay Shore or on foot from the park

The Saltaire terminal is not in Saltaire itself, but on Maple Avenue in Bay Shore. It is the second Fire Island ferry terminal there and is located directly behind the Chowder Bar restaurant. Check the directions to the terminal before you set out. Another arrival point is Robert Moses State Park: Saltaire is within walking distance from there. These are two different starting points for your plans—the terminal location in Bay Shore and the walking route from the park. So consider which point of reference is most relevant to your journey.

Junior Lifeguard Program

The Junior Lifeguard Program is a one-hour course held twice a week at the oceanfront. It is intended for very active 8- to 14-year-olds who want to run and swim in the ocean, as well as swimmers who feel confident in the ocean. Certified ocean lifeguards lead the course, with one supervisor for every six participants. The program teaches rescue techniques and general knowledge about ocean safety. Age group, activity level, and confidence swimming in the ocean are therefore important considerations when deciding whether the course fits your reason for visiting. If you include the program in your plans, check the current registration details and seasonal schedule in advance.

Discover more destinations: East Hampton, Greenport, Wainscott, Riverhead, Cold Spring Harbor, Greenlawn, Cutchogue, Holbrook

For the broader travel overview: Suffolk.