Watch Hill Marina Reopens after Nearly 2 Years of Renovations

After closing in September 2016, Fire Island’s Watch Hill marina reopened on May 18 just in time for summer. The $5.4 million project was originally scheduled to be completed for the 2017 season, but it was delayed and went up another $1.5 million in price. The renovations corrected electrical damage following superstorm Sandy in 2012 and added new concessions.

Sailors Haven marina, located west of Watch Hill, opened on the same day as Watch Hill’s reopening.

Fire Island National Seashore facility manager Jim Dunphy said in a news release to Newsday, “We are excited to have both sites up and running this season,” adding, “With the opening of Watch Hill we can close the chapter on Hurricane Sandy recovery at Fire Island National Seashore.”

Sailors Haven also went through renovations because of damage left behind by Hurricane Sandy, but it opened again in 2015 after a few months of work. Love Watch Hill and Sailors Haven Inc. runs the marina and snack bar at Sailors Haven, as well as the newly renovated marina, snack bar, restaurant, camp store, and campground at Watch Hill.

Watch Hill was closed to ferry and boat traffic last year. There are 44 Watch Hill slips available to private boaters and the family tent campground will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

After taking the Fire Island ferry over, we invite you to visit William J. Newman Realty. We have serviced Fire Island’s western communities since 1969 and offer the experience and professionalism to meet all real estate needs for people who want to take the Fire Island ferries over and stay on the Island for a few days or for the entire summer! We specialize in rentals from Fair Harbor to Dunewood, Lonelyville, and Saltaire.