Fire Island Inlet Depth Readings

[cod]

Went to the Fire Island Inlet at high tide today (10:04 am) with the Scout to check the depths. Lowest readings were between marker #'s 5 & 6. Depth finder was reading 7' at lowest point. Draft on the Scout is about 15" so that puts the depth at around 8-8 1/2'. The average readings were between 9 to 14'. At marker # 6, the depth is around 35'. Most importantly, if you are coming into the inlet, you don't want to miss going around Red marker # 6 which is close to the beach straight ahead and could easily be overlooked as you see the entrance to the bay to starboard.

 

[tdschafer]

Great info! Thanks for the post. Is there a way to estimate what the readings would be at low tide?

 

[cod]

The tide change varies between 2 1/2 -3' so that should give you an idea. The other factor are the swells on any particular day.

 

[tdschafer]

Thanks!

 

[johngus]

As a member of the coast guard Auxilary I have heard that the coast guard 47 has been having issued navaigating the inlet and has touched ground a few times.they only are using the inlet 2 hours after low tide to be safe.just be careful with the inlet,I have heard it is almost unusable.There is also some major issues in the captree area by the old bait station.have heard the party boats have been running aground there too.

 

[cod]

Using the inlet 2 hours after low tide only raises the water a foot at most, which I think under the present condition is not enough. I can see touching ground if there is any type of swell. Personally, I would only use it within 1 1/2 hours before or after high tide. Your right about the channel between the old bait station and Fire Island. I was reading about 3 feet at near high tide in the marked channel so there is very skinny water at low tide. Must be making life very difficult for the party boats.

 

[ashlim27]

hello,nice yacht pictures.

 

[Alex F]

Using the inlet 2 hours after low tide only raises the water a foot at most, which I think under the present condition is not enough. I can see touching ground if there is any type of swell. Personally, I would only use it within 1 1/2 hours before or after high tide. Your right about the channel between the old bait station and Fire Island. I was reading about 3 feet at near high tide in the marked channel so there is very skinny water at low tide. Must be making life very difficult for the party boats.

Steve,

Thanks for great info. Could you provide more details on the location of the troubled channel between the old bait station and Fire Island? I never heard of this spot.

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[cod]

Alex,

The area is east of the Robert Moses Bridge. If you are heading to Fire Island from the Inlet, you wouldn't use this channel. If you are heading to Fire Island via the Jones Beach Inlet and down the state Channel, then you would be using this channel. If you look at the google map and the markers, you can see the shallow areas. Hope I explained this clearly. If not let me know.