Fire Island travel guide: 6 essential tips for your first trip

Many New York City locals and visitors have their eye on visiting Fire Island for a queer summer getaway. As “America’s First Gay and Lesbian Town,” LGBTQ+ people flock to the area to enjoy beach days where they can feel safe expressing themselves and surrounded by community. However, planning your first trip and figuring out what to expect can be confusing. Here are a few empowering and tangible tips for those wanting to make their way to Fire Island this summer:

1. Plan Your Accommodations in Advance

Fire Island offers a select number of hotels and inns, so most people try to find a house available in Cherry Grove or Fire Island Pines. Many houses require a short-term rental for a few weeks of summer, and other large houses — such as Froot Falls — offer individual room rentals with a minimum one-week stay (usually Thursday to Thursday or Friday to Friday). Boys of Fire Island is an excellent resource for uncovering house options, especially through their private Facebook group.

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2. How to Get There

When going to Fire Island from New York, the typical key three steps are to take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Sayville, hop on a Colonial Transportation shuttle bus for a very brief ride to the ferry, and ride the Sayville Ferry Service to your final destination: Fire Island Pines or Cherry Grove. The ferry schedule adjusts throughout the year, and during peak summer, the LIRR offers discounted packages for all of your transportation tickets. When you’re ready to go home, carefully time your ferry arrival time and the LIRR schedule so you’re not waiting for more than an hour at the Sayville train station.

3. Be Open to a Day Trip

Many people dip their toes into Fire Island over the weekend by packing a day bag for an early morning trek to the beach and a nighttime return to the city. You can enjoy being with other queer folks for the day but have less of a financial or logistical commitment. The trick is carefully planning out your transportation. 

4. Set Your Intention

Do some self-reflection: What do I want out of my trip? What insecurities or feelings might this visit spark in me? How can I make this the best experience for me? Once you know this, you can start planning a trip that works for you — from inviting at least one friend you feel deeply comfortable with or planning a whole takeover with your community to choosing to love your beach body where it is.

5. Release Assumptions

It’s easy to have preconceived notions going into any new experience. However, it’s important not to let them get in your way and potentially start your trip on the wrong foot right from the beginning. Instead, be open to being surprised and the unexpected. It’ll help you create meaningful memories and connections.

6. Be Open to Meeting New People

Fire Island offers you many opportunities to discover community. From dinners with your housemates and Sunday Showtunes to Juneteenth programming by the Black & Brown Equity Coalition and running into soon-to-be familiar faces at Low Tea (aka happy hour), there are different moments you can make potential new friends. Just don’t miss a chance to smile at someone and introduce yourself. You might be surprised at what comes out of it.

For additional ideas and tips, explore Boys of Fire Island and follow pages, such as @thepinesfireisland, to stay updated on upcoming events during the week you visit.