Shelter Island has a variety of beautiful beaches, which can be accessed with the purchase of a beach parking permit. Parking permits must be displayed on the left side of rear bumper of vehicles parked at the two Town bathing beaches (Crescent and Wades), Oak Tree Lane and Fresh Pond Road from the Friday preceding Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Beach permits are free to Shelter Island Town residents and available at the Shelter Island Town Hall, 38 North Ferry Road, 631-749-1166. Non-residents and residents must present car registration or car rental agreement to obtain a parking permit. Daily permits are $25 and only 10 are issued each day. Weekly permits are $50, monthly $95 and seasonal $230.

Beach driving permits are also available at $25 for residents and $100 for non-residents. All beaches have a speed limit of 5 mph. 

For more information, contact the Town of Shelter Island at 631-749-0291 or visit  shelterislandtown.us.

How did you end up on the 2019 Beach Guide? Why not head to our 2020 Beach Guide instead?

Shelter Island Hamlet:

Wades Beach
Location: Bay beach, 114 South Midway Road
Parking: Shelter Island Town permit required, $25 daily permits available
Amenities: Lifeguard (10 a.m.–5 p.m.), trash can, restroom
Restrictions During Open Hours (9 a.m.–6 p.m.): No beach driving
Restrictions at All Times: No dogs, no watercrafts near swimming area, no fishing near swimming area, no camping
Inside scoop: A shallow swimming area makes it popular with young beachgoers.

Shelter Island Heights:

Menhadden Lane Beach
Location: Bay beach, End of Menhadden Lane
Parking: Shelter Island Town permit required
Amenities: None
Restrictions During Open Hours (9 a.m.–6 p.m.): No beach driving
Restrictions at All Times: No dogs, no watercrafts near swimming area, no fishing near swimming area, no camping
Inside scoop: It’s basically a small plot of sand leading up to a pond, but it has heart.

Crescent Beach
Location: Bay beach, End of Crescent Beach Road
Parking: Shelter Island Town permit required
Amenities: Lifeguard (10 a.m.–5 p.m.), trash can, restroom
Restrictions During Open Hours (9 a.m.–6 p.m.): No beach driving
Restrictions at All Times: No dogs, no watercrafts near swimming area, no fishing near swimming area, no camping
Inside scoop: Outside of lifeguarded hours, swimming is permitted at the beachgoer’s own risk.

Shell Beach
Location: Bay beach, End of Oak Tree Lane
Parking: Shelter Island Town permit required, $25 daily permits available
Amenities: None
Restrictions During Open Hours (9 a.m.–6 p.m.): None
Restrictions at All Times: No dogs, no watercrafts near swimming area, no fishing near swimming area, no camping, no beach driving
Inside scoop: It’s only accessible by a narrow, unpaved road, and much of it is roped off for the protection of piping plovers.