Fire Island Pines
Fire Island, Long Island · United States
America's gay island, since the 1950s. Sunbathing without swimwear is tolerated on the Pines and Cherry Grove beaches, and everyone you know is here in July.
Updated
- Status
- Tolerated
- Crowd
- Gay beach
- Country
- United States
- City
- Fire Island
- Water
- Sea
- Best time
- June to September
- Confidence
- High
Find it
40.6635° N, 73.0740° WGood to know
The National Park Service enforces a clothing-optional use ban on the federal beaches (Lighthouse, Sailors Haven, Watch Hill) since 2013. The Pines and Cherry Grove community beaches are not affected.
The gay end
The community beaches in front of the Pines and Cherry Grove, and the sand between them. Clothing-optional use is tolerated there.
Crowd A clothing-optional beach the boys have made their own: a gay-majority crowd, a beach bar that knows it, and friends you have not met yet.
Getting there
LIRR to Sayville, then the ferry to the Pines or Cherry Grove. No cars, no roads, boardwalks only.
The rules
Tolerated. Not designated, but going without swimwear has been the custom for years and is left alone. Rules and patrols can change, so read the signs when you arrive.
No photos of anyone, sunscreen everywhere, cover up the moment you leave the clothing-optional stretch, and head home with the light. Sunbathe, swim and keep the beach respectful for everyone.
Questions people ask
Beach questions
Where exactly is Fire Island Pines?
Fire Island, Long Island, United States. The map pin is 40.6635° N, 73.0740° W.
What is Fire Island Pines like?
America's gay island, since the 1950s. Sunbathing without swimwear is tolerated on the Pines and Cherry Grove beaches, and everyone you know is here in July.
Which section of Fire Island Pines is on the atlas?
The community beaches in front of the Pines and Cherry Grove, and the sand between them. Clothing-optional use is tolerated there.
How do I get to Fire Island Pines?
LIRR to Sayville, then the ferry to the Pines or Cherry Grove. No cars, no roads, boardwalks only.
What access or enforcement note applies to Fire Island Pines?
The National Park Service enforces a clothing-optional use ban on the federal beaches (Lighthouse, Sailors Haven, Watch Hill) since 2013. The Pines and Cherry Grove community beaches are not affected.
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Method
Status says what the law and the locals allow; crowd says who is on the sand. Both come from gay-travel guides, the national naturist federations and members who were just there, scored on sources, recency, crowd, legal footing and safety. How we rank. Pins mark the beach; the gay end is described above. Last reviewed September 2026.