Boat Launch Sites for Suffolk County
Note: Use the following definitions to help you determine if a particular site will accommodate your boat.
- Hard surface or concrete ramp--site affords float-off and float-on launching for most trailered boats.
- Beach launch--no float-off or float-on trailered boat capability. Sites will accommodate the approach to the water's edge of small and light trailered boats. Boat may then be pushed on or off trailer. Usually shallow areas.
- Hand launch--no trailer capacity. Boats must be hand carried to the water.
- Car top launch--For canoe/kayak launching. Limited parking available.
Accessibility: The access sites noted as "accessible" in the chart below have been designed to be wheelchair accessible. For more detail, consult Peconic River at Edwards Avenue, Oyster Bay Western Waterfront, and Mattituck Creek descriptions.
Full Listing of DEC's Accessible Recreation Destinations
Seasonal Access Permits:
A seasonal access permit is required for all activities on all NYSDEC managed lands on Long Island with the exception of the Ridge Conservation Area. The permit is free and valid for three years. To obtain a seasonal access permit, use the link on the right to download the application and follow the instructions at the bottom of the first page of the document. Permit holders must observe regulations for use of NYSDEC managed lands in Suffolk County.
| Water/ Town |
Location | Type | Parking | Invasive Species Present* | Comments | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artist Lake/ Brookhaven |
Route 25, Middle Country Road in Middle Island | Hand launch | 5 cars | Fanwort |
Municipal | |
| Belmont Lake/North Babylon | Belmont Lake State Park, Exit 38 Southern State Parkway | Dock | Ample parking | Fanwort, Asian Clam |
Kayaks & Canoes only | OPRHP |
| Carmans River/ Shirley |
Off Montauk Highway approx. 1 mile west of William Floyd Parkway. | Hand launch | 10 cars | Asian Clam |
300 yard carry required. No gasoline motors.Via cooperative agreement with Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. | DEC |
| Deep Pond/ Riverhead |
Wading River Road between Route 25 and 25A. | Hand launch | 5 cars | 300 yard carry required. Free special access permit required from DEC Region 1. Open for fishing weekdays, Sept. 15-June 15 only. No gas motors. | DEC | |
| Forge Pond (Peconic River)/ Calverton |
On South River Rd 1/2 mile east of Nugent Drive (Co Rte 24), LIE (Rte 495), Exit 71. | Hand launch | 10 cars | Fanwort, Parrot Feather, European Frogbit, Water Primrose, Brazilian Elodea, Asian Clam |
DEC | |
| Fort Pond/ E. Hampton |
Off Edgemere Road in Village of Montauk. | Hard surface | 20 cars | Electric motors only | DEC | |
| Great South Bay/ Fire Island Inlet |
Captree State Park. Just east of intersection of Ocean Parkway and Robert Moses Causeway. | Paved ramp | 67 cars and trailers | Pumpout and wash down area | OPRHP | |
| Great South Bay/ Heckscher State Park |
On Hecksher Parkway off Southern State Parkway. | Hard surface | 100 cars and trailers | Pumpout and wash down area | OPRHP | |
| Lake Ronkonkoma/ Islip |
On Victory Drive off Rosevale Ave in Town of Islip. LIE (Rte 495), Exit 59. | Hard surface | 15 cars and trailers | Hydrilla, Eurasian Watermilfoil, Brittle Naiad |
Electric motors only | DEC |
| Laurel Lake/ Southhold |
In Laurel, off State Highway 25. | Hand launch | 5 cars (200 yd carry) | Electric motors only | DEC | |
| Long Island Sound/ Kings Park |
Gov. A. E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Pkwy - North East corner of Field 3 | Sandy area | Ample parking | Kayaks & Canoes Only: | OPRHP | |
| Long Island Sound/Mattituck Creek | Sound Avenue east through the Town of Riverhead. At the first traffic light in Mattituck, turn left onto Cox Neck Lane. Stay on Cox Neck Lane to Breakwater Road, turn left, follow to Naugles Road and turn right, entrance is one-quarter mile down on left side. | Dual concrete ramp | 60 cars and trailers and 25 cars | Universally accessible facility. This ramp is part of a 12-acre parcel that has a fishing pier, canoe and kayak launch area, observation deck, washdown station and pumpout facility. |
DEC | |
| Lower Yaphank Lake/ Yaphank |
Located off LIE (Route 495), exit 67 on Route 21 north. | Hard surface | 6 cars and trailers | DEC | ||
| Moriches Waterway | Toledo Ave just north of the Coast Guard Station in East Moriches | Concrete ramp | Parking for 12 cars and trailers and 3 cars | Shallow water launch/small boats | DEC | |
| Nissequogue River/ Kings Park |
Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park | Dock | Kayaks & Canoes Only: | OPRHP | ||
| Nissequogue River/ Kings Park |
Gov. A.E.Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Pkwy - Southeast corner of Field 3 | Salt Marsh | Ample parking | Kayaks & Canoes Only: | OPRHP | |
| Nissequogue River | Off State Highway 25 and 25A split in Smithtown. Take LIE to exit 56 (Rt 111 north) to Rt 25 west (left) about 1.5 miles on the right, Paul T Given Park. | Hand launch | 50 cars and trailers | Kayaks & Canoes Only | Suffolk County Parks | |
| Otis Pike Preserve/ Calverton |
Access to 7 small ponds, and headwaters of Peconic River from multiple parking areas. | Hand launch (Variable carry to the water) | Free special access permit required from DEC Region 1 Office. Location map available with permit. | DEC | ||
| Oyster Ponds/ East Marion |
North side of Rt 25, opposite Orient Harbor and adjacent to Southold Town Park | Concrete ramp | Shallow water launch/small boats | DEC | ||
| Peconic River (Lower)/ Riverhead |
Off State Highway 25 (West Main Street) in Riverhead. LIE (Rte 495) Exit 72. | Hand launch | 5 cars | Fanwort, Parrot Feather, European Frogbit, Water Primrose, Brazilian Elodea |
DEC | |
| Peconic River (Upper)/ Calverton at Edwards Ave. |
At Edwards Avenue on Mill Road. LIE (Rte 495) Exit 71 | Hand launch | Fanwort, Parrot Feather, European Frogbit, Water Primrose, Brazilian Elodea, Asian Clam |
Accessible. Free special access permit required from DEC Region 1 Office. |
DEC | |
| Peconic River (Upper)/ Calverton |
1/2 mile west of Edwards Avenue on Mill Road. LIE (Rte 495) Exit 71. | Hand launch | 4 cars | Fanwort, Parrot Feather, European Frogbit, Water Primrose, Brazilian Elodea, Asian Clam |
Free special access permit required from DEC Region 1 Office. | DEC |
| Swan Pond | River Road south of Grumman Blvd. in Calverton. | Hand launch | 3 cars | Water Chestnut, Asian Clam |
Municipal | |
| Wildwood Lake/ Southampton |
Off Lakeview,Old Westhampton Road 1/4 mile south of Riverhead Moriches Road. | Beach launch | 4 cars and trailers, 2 cars | Fanwort, Asian Clam |
Electric motors only. Fishing for Southampton Town residents only. | DEC |
*Confirmed invasive species present. Other invasive species may also be present.
