What is unclear about Fire Island is exactly how it got its name. One theory is that the name "Fire Island", named after the inlet on its western end, was misread from "Five Islands", the number of small islands then at the mouth of the inlet. Another is that fires built on the beaches by the early inhabitants gave the island its name. Native Americans signaled for supplies by lighting fires; whalers guided their ships into the inlet with fires and used fire to boil blubber into oil. Some say that pirates lit fires on the beaches to lure ships to shore to be plundered. Yet another idea is that the Native Americans named it for the fiery rash they acquired from the the poison ivy which grows in profusion.

Oceanfront Dining

What is clear about Fire Island is the magical quality it has and the devotion its residents have for it. This 32 mile -long barrier island is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Free of cars, it remains wild, unspoiled, and pristine. The absence of a main road through the island has allowed each community the isolation to develop its own character.

There are many different Fire Islands - quiet family villages, flamboyant gay communities, party towns, upscale private enclaves, hidden havens for the reclusive, singles towns, and everything in between. With only about a third of its land inhabited, there are wide stretches of wilderness, home to an abundance of wildlife. Remarkably, Fire Island can be reached in less than two hours from downtown Manhattan, making it a refuge from the stresses of city life.

Fire Island Transport

Fishing Off the Dock

The casual lifestyle, unpretentious atmosphere and absence of cars makes Fire Island both a legendary party destination and an oasis for peace and relaxation.

To find out more about each Town or Village, get maps and locate businesses, click on the Villages button.