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.
| Water/ Town |
Location | Type | Parking | Comments | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artist Lake/ Brookhaven |
Route 25, Middle Country Road in Middle Island | Hand launch | 5 cars | Municipal | |
| Belmont Lake/North Babylon | Belmont Lake State Park, Exit 38 Southern State Parkway | Dock | Ample parking | Kayaks & Canoes only | OPRHP |
| Carmans River/ Shirley |
Off Montauk Highway approx. 1 mile west of William Floyd Parkway. | Hand launch | 10 cars | 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 | 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 | 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 |
| Lower Yaphank Lake/ Yaphank |
Located off LIE (Route 495), exit 67 on Route 21 north. | Hard surface | 6 cars and trailers | 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 | |
| Peconic River (Lower)/ Riverhead |
Off State Highway 25 (West Main Street) in Riverhead. LIE (Rte 495) Exit 72. | Hand launch | 5 cars | DEC | |
| Peconic River (Upper)/ Calverton |
1/2 mile west of Edwards Avenue on Mill Road. LIE (Rte 495) Exit 71. | Hand launch | 4 cars |
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 | 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 | Electric motors only. Fishing for Southampton Town residents only. | DEC |
| 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. | Concrete ramp | 60 cars and trailers | This ramp is part of a 12-acre parcel that has a fishing pier, canoe and kayak launch area, and observation deck. | DEC |
| Long Island Sound | State Route 25 between East Marion and Orient. | Concrete ramp | 20 cars and trailers with an additional 6 car only | Shallow water ramp, not recommended for boats greater that 18 feet in length because of shoaling conditions and water depths at low tide. | DEC |
