Fire Island Inlet is an inlet on the south shore of Long Island, New York, USA.
It connects the Great South Bay with the Atlantic Ocean, passing between Robert Moses State Park (the western end of Fire Island) on the south and Oak Beach and Captree State Park (the eastern end of Jones Beach Island) on the north.
The inlet is directly south of West Islip, the nearest town on the main part of Long Island.
The inlet has evolved over the years due to natural processes, especially longshore drift. Jones Island and Fire Island at one time were connected.
The Fire Island Light was at the mouth of the inlet when built in 1858, but is now 6 miles (9.7 km) east of the inlet.
The northwest side of the mouth of the inlet is known as the Sore Thumb, it is a manmade barrier that was created to try to combat the extensive erosion of the beaches inside the inlet. The southeast side of the mouth of the inlet is known as Point Democrat and is known as a popular surfing spot for beach goers, it is also the site of extensive preserves for the areas birds.
Famous quotes containing the words fire, island and/or inlet:
“Why I love the ancients so much? Aside from everything else, when I read them, the entire past between them and me unfolds at the same time. The hearts of how many heroes and poets may have been set on fire by Plutarch’s biographies which now inspire me with their own and with borrowed flames!”
—Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)
““Our island home
Is far beyond the wave;we will no longer roam.””
—Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892)
“As for the inlet or outlet of Walden, I have not yet discovered any but rain and snow and evaporation, though perhaps, with a thermometer and a line, such places may be found.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)