The Long Island Loop – Points of Interest

Greg,if you decide on northport i will recomend the clam chowder at skippers near the town docks it was voted best on north shore. small town old fashioned ice cream and candy stores etc. were 5 mins away drop me a call if your here ill stop bye to say hi.
 
OK, Northport it is...

We will be there this weekend. Joe, I'll definately check out Skippers, and give a call when we are in town.

Is there anything else that I should be sure to see while in town?

Anybody else going to be around Northport this weekend (9/18-9/19)?
 
Greg, it's a very small strip with shops on either side nice harbor, good restaurants, but thats about it. it's a good stop over i dont know what you'll do for two days?
 
If I can get all my stuff done, we might jump over and say hey.
 
Mike, that would be great.

Joe, I am heading out today, and just staying one night, so it won't really be two full days. Heading back Sunday morning/afternoon. Besides, I figure if we get bored, you are only 5 minutes away, we'll come over and you can entertain us. :grin:
 
Can someone please provide some information on Freeport Long Island? There seems to be a bunch of marinas there but I have no clue as to which would be the best choice. I really want the cleanest upscale marina within walking/biking distance to Nautical Mile. What exactly is there to do in Freeport? Thanks!

-Bob
 
Greenwich, the mooring field is tucked away in a nice little cove. Long dinghy ride into town. They used to have places to anchor but they filled all those spots with mooring balls this year.

Every year it seems we lose more and more anchor spots as towns fill them with mooring balls to raise a little more money.

I think we are going to head to Greenwich this weekend, Anything there that I should not miss? Seems like Greenwich Ave is where all the shops are. They refered to it as "Rodeo Drive of the East Coast".

I was looking at The Delamar, but $6.50 a foot seems a little steep. Maybe I'll see about a mooring somewhere.
 
I think we are going to head to Greenwich this weekend, Anything there that I should not miss? Seems like Greenwich Ave is where all the shops are. They refered to it as "Rodeo Drive of the East Coast".

I was looking at The Delamar, but $6.50 a foot seems a little steep. Maybe I'll see about a mooring somewhere.


Wow!!!
Thats a crazy price!!!
We get $2/ft (transit) in Stamford and the Delmar is a sister marina.
 
It would be cheaper to dock in Stamford and hire a limo to Greenwich.
 
It would be cheaper to dock in Stamford and hire a limo to Greenwich.


Actually, I think they said a limo is available to take you to the shopping areas.

According to a review on activecaptain:

"As part of the marina service they have a limo at your disposal if you need a ride anywhere nearby. (like to the top of the hill, and walk down)."
 
Greg...get a pic of your beautiful boat in the water for your signiture!! I get depressed looking at it on the hard. Ric
 
Hey guys, finally the new boating season is slowly opens its doors and I’m taking another look at the LI areas. This time I’d like to visit the LI Sound side as well. We’re planning to do the trip early in the season (mid June), so I realize that we might not have the luxury of spending a lot of time on the beaches, including swimming. Therefore, I’m trying to focus more on the sight seeing and if the weather permits we’ll be happy to take advantage and enjoy the beaches.




So far I’ve read good comments on the following ports:
  • Manhasset Bay (Port Washington)
  • Huntington Bay
  • Port Jefferson
  • Northport
  • Greenwich CT
  • Stamford CT
  • Norwalk CT
  • NYC (possible stop, time permitting)
We’re taking a week for this trip (actually it’ll be total of 9 days counting the weekends). I know it’s currently looking like a lot of stops and I’m looking to shrink the list and spend 2 nights where it fits better based on your recommendations.

I also read good comments on Mystic and Essex, but I’m not sure if it’s feasible to fit in this trip time wise and it also adds about additional 120-130NM (round trip) to overall trip.

Can you give me some advice on the places must visit, considering sight seeing and fun activities?’

BTW, if you have recommendations on good wineries, that would great as well. I’ve heard that majority of the wineries are on the LI North shore.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Alex.
 
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Alex,
If you can do Port Jefferson let me know. I have a restaurant there and we can hook-up for some food & drink!! Larry came by last summer and we had a good time!

This of course is subject to me NOT being out on my boat at that time! If it is a nice weekend, and I don't have to work, I will probably be over at Fire Island. Weekdays are best for me to be there.
 
Which way will you be going? Thru the East River to Long Island Sound or along the south shore of Long Island? For the best beaches, you need to be on the south shore. Fire Island is where you probably would want to be. Atlantique Marina is close to the Fire Island inlet (If its still navigatable) This is a town marina that allows non-residents. From there , you can take a water taxi to the town of Ocean Beach. No cars, just pedestrian walks, restaurants, some shops. Ocean Beach also has a marina but they do not have dockside power and not sure if they allow overnighters.
For the wineries, you need to be out on the east end of the north folk of Long Island. Lighthouse Marina in Aquebogue or Mitchell Marina in Greenport are 2 options. Mitchell Marina is in town so there is plenty to do but not as close to the wineries as Lighthouse Marina which is somewhat isolated. There is a restaurant and pool on site.

Essex, Ct. is a real nice stop over. 5 miles up the river. There are no wake zones as you go up the river so look for the 5 mph buoys. This is a very quaint New England town.

There are many other spots, some that you have already listed, but I think you 1st have to decide on your route. Let me know and I may be able to offer some more place to see.
 
Alex,
If you can do Port Jefferson let me know. I have a restaurant there and we can hook-up for some food & drink!! Larry came by last summer and we had a good time!.

Sounds good, Todd. I'll keep you posted when my plan would be somewhat settled. As I recall your place is at Danford's. In your opinion what's the difference between Danford's Inn Marina and Brewers? I'm trying to decide where to stay and have good access to the town.

Which way will you be going? Thru the East River to Long Island Sound or along the south shore of Long Island? For the best beaches, you need to be on the south shore. Fire Island is where you probably would want to be. Atlantique Marina is close to the Fire Island inlet (If its still navigatable) This is a town marina that allows non-residents. From there , you can take a water taxi to the town of Ocean Beach. No cars, just pedestrian walks, restaurants, some shops. Ocean Beach also has a marina but they do not have dockside power and not sure if they allow overnighters.
For the wineries, you need to be out on the east end of the north folk of Long Island. Lighthouse Marina in Aquebogue or Mitchell Marina in Greenport are 2 options. Mitchell Marina is in town so there is plenty to do but not as close to the wineries as Lighthouse Marina which is somewhat isolated. There is a restaurant and pool on site.

Essex, Ct. is a real nice stop over. 5 miles up the river. There are no wake zones as you go up the river so look for the 5 mph buoys. This is a very quaint New England town.

There are many other spots, some that you have already listed, but I think you 1st have to decide on your route. Let me know and I may be able to offer some more place to see.

Cod,

We had visited South Shore side last season and stayed at these ports: Westhampton, Shelter Island, Greenport, Montauk and Watch Hill (Fire Island). We also had two CSR Rendezvous during our trip. For this trip I'm looking to cover just the North Shore (LI Sound). I'll be travelling via East River in to the LI Sound. So, my route is pretty clear and all is left to do, is to gather some recommendations and local knowledge on these ports of interest:

  • Manhasset Bay (Port Washington)
  • Huntington Bay
  • Port Jefferson
  • Northport
  • Greenwich CT
  • Stamford CT
  • Norwalk CT
  • NYC (possible stop, time permitting)
I know that it's too many stops for 9 days trip, so my goal is to leave about 5 the best ports on the list and keep the rest for the next time. I was thinking to stop at NYC either on the way to LI or on the way back. But, it'll all depend if I'll have enough time as my primary goal is to visit LI/CT ports.


BTW, please join us at 2011 LI Rendezvous. Here's the link to the thread with all the details: LI Rendezvous - 2011
 
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Alex, found an interesting Blog on the LI Sound area!http://soundbounder.blogspot.com/2010/05/northport-village-pier.html We're on our way to Northport for the Easter Holidays. My In-laws have a house there. Beautiful town with a Town Dock right at the foot of the main St.. Nice Marina in side the Harbor... Britania Yacht Club with good facilities, a Pool and Restaurant, short 10 minute walk into town!!
Hope this helps,
 
Thanks Marshall. Every bit of info helps.
 
Alex,

Most of the places you list are nice stops, but not necessarily destinations.

Manhasset Bay (Port Washington) - skip it unless you need fuel.
Huntington Bay is nice - we like Northport rather than Huntington because the town is closer to the harbor. Some great beaches and nice anchorages.
Port Jefferson - has a beautiful harbor but it is getting harder and harder to find anchoring room as there are more and more private moorings in the outer anchorages. Town is kind of honkey tonk, but worth an afternoon visit. The sand dunes are worth a visit.
Greenwich CT Skip it. Go by car.
Stamford CT - OK place to stop if you need to but not a destination.
Norwalk CT - Fun downtown with great restaurants and super Maritime Aquarium for the kids. Cove Marina is a long way from town and dockage nearer town is slim pickings.
NYC (possible stop, time permitting) - Slow down and take some photos, but keep going. NYC is a destination all its own and not a place to squeeze in.

The problem with cruising on LIS is that there are hundreds of great gunkholing destinations. Your list only scratches the surface, but you are right to try and prioritize. Given that you will miss a ton of good stuff no matter what you do, I would focus more on the Eastern Sound and skip most stuff West of Port Jeff.

Basically, Huntington/Northport are the westernmost destinations that you should consider. Other spots to think about would be Westbrook, Essex, Mystic, Montauk, Greenport (this is your access point to the wineries).

 
Alex, Thanks for the invite..... much appreciated....I will try and make it. I am starting to put a summer trip together for Newport, Nantucket, MV, and maybe Cape Cod so Mtk. could possibly be worked in. Although I'm located on the water near the Fire Island inlet, I secure a slip in 3 Mile Harbor in East Hampton for the summer. 3 Mile Harbor is a great spot on the north shore of the south folk of Long Island. 3 Mile Harbour is close to many destinations including some really nice coves on Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Montauk, Greenport, Essex and Mystic.

In regards to your trip, sounds like Sea Gull has covered the most common destinations in the western part of the Long Island Sound. If visiting some wineries is something you wish to do, but your not looking to go the distance to get inside the folks of long Island, there is Matt-a-Mar Marina inside the Mattituck inlet on the north shore of Long Island. The inlet is approx. 30 miles east of Port Jeff. Town is about a 1/2 mile walk.

If you were to make it inside the folks, as mentioned, 3 mile Harbor is certainly a destination. East Hampton Point is a really nice marina with a 5 star restaurant, pool, tennis courts, van shuttle to town and the ocean beaches.

Hopefully helpful.....
 
alex,
northport is a nice stop. after that, port jeff. for wineries, agree you need to be east.. like greenport and mattituck.
 

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