62 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JULY 2021
DESTINATIONS
A GUIDE TO WESTHAMPTON ISLAND BEACH DAYS
BY MARISA VALENTINO
Westhampton Island, dotted with popular
parks such as Hot Dog Beach and
exclusive oceanfront properties that the
likes of Eli Manning call home, is more
commonly known as Dune Road.
Spanning 15 miles from Moriches Inlet
at its western tip to Shinnecock Inlet
to the east, Westhampton Island runs
through Hampton Bays and the villages
of West Hampton Dunes, Westhampton
Beach, and Quogue. It is the easternmost
of the four barrier islands protecting
Long Island from the Atlantic Ocean.
Although the nightclubs that once famously
dotted the island are long gone,
the area is still known for its popular
beaches and waterfront restaurants.
CUPSOGUE BEACH COUNTY
PARK
Located at the western end of Westhampton
Island is the 296-acre Cupsogue
Beach County Park situated between
the Atlantic and Moriches Bay. Visitors
can enjoy fishing, camping, a concession
stand, off-roading and lifeguard-supervised
swimming.
Day passes are $9 per vehicle and
seasonal parking passes are $75 for
residents.
Cupsogue is a hotspot for surfcasters.
The oceanside beach has some of the
best saltwater bass fishing in the area.
Bluefish, snappers, and blowfish are also
frequently caught here. Fishing is permitted
between sunrise and sunset but
night fishing permits are also available
from the county parks department.
This park is also a popular campsite.
Normally RVs, campers, and tents are allowed
but due to Covid-19, only self-contained
camping units are permitted. Basic
sites (water in season), electric sites,
and full hookup (sewer, electric and
water) sites are available. Reservations
can be made online 24 hours in advance
for the first day of camping.
Beachgoers can visit Tiki Joe’s food
concession on the pavilion. Open from
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., it offers everything
from fresh seafood to pasta dishes along
with an assortment of drinks.
Visitors can enjoy driving off-road vehicles
on the outer beach (shoreline) as
long as they have a Suffolk County Parks
Recreational Vehicle Use Permit.
Lifeguard-supervised swimming is
offered from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
There are also a first aid center, restrooms,
showers, and changing rooms.
VILLAGE OF WESTHAMPTON
BEACH
The Village of Westhampton Beach is
known for its high-end shopping, lavish
dining, and most of all its two white-sand
beaches: Rodgers Beach and Lashley
Beach.
The two beaches offer bathrooms and
lifeguard-supervised swimming from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Group contact activities including
sports such as volleyball and football
are prohibited.
Also, access is currently limited to
village taxpayers. Year-round village
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