Fire Island Water Taxi stop, at the Cherry Grove ferry dock

Although it's possible to walk between Fire Island's main GLBT communities, Cherry Grove and the Pines, a much faster and more convenient options is traveling by way of the reliable Fire Island Water Taxi (631-665-8885) - pictured here is the water taxi stop at the Cherry Grove ferry dock. The Fire Island Water Taxi (here's a photo of the actual boat) actually transports passengers throughout the many communities of Fire Island, from Fire Island Lighthouse and Kismet to the west, clear to Watch Hill Visitor Center to the east.

Rates are set according to how many zones you're traveling through - if you're taking a water taxi between Cherry Grove and the Pines, you're remaining within one zone (Zone 6), and so the cost is the minimum of $6 per adult. For longer trips, say from Cherry Grove to Ocean Beach, you'd be traveling four zones (which costs $12 per adult). This is the fare situation for traveling laterally, that is, east to west or west to east among the Fire Island communities. Regular water taxi service is offered daily throughout the season (late May through early September), from 9 am until 9 pm, but it's a good idea to call for the most up-to-date times.

Fire Island Water Taxi also operates a charter Cross Bay ferry service between the Long Island town of Bayshore and most of the communities on Fire Island (rates start at $125 for first six fares, and $15 per person beyond that). It's an expensive way to get across the bay, but if you miss the Sayville Ferry or simply want to travel according to your own schedule, this is a very handy service.