Shelter Island Sandbar Tour: Anchor, Swim, Relax
Your Guide to a Shelter Island Sandbar Day
A Shelter Island sandbar tour is not what most people picture. There is no crowded party bar in the middle of the bay. What you get is quieter and better. We find a calm spot, drop the anchor, and you swim right off the boat for the afternoon.
We are Charters in The Hamptons. We are cousins, and we run a family charter out of Shelter Island. We grew up on these creeks and harbors. We know where the water goes still and where the swimming is best on any given day.
This page is the honest version. We will tell you what a sandbar day really means out here, where the good water is, and how to plan one that fits your group.
What A Sandbar Day Really Means Here
Peconic Bay is a calm, protected estuary. It has very few true sandbars you can stand on. We will be straight with you about that. Most of your swim time is off the anchored boat, in clear water near a sheltered shore.
Think of it as your own private swim spot for the afternoon. On a busy summer Saturday, the popular places on the open bay get crowded and loud. We go the other way. We know the quiet coves that stay calm and clear, and we time the trip so you have room to spread out.
Where We Take You
The closest thing to a classic bar is the long stretch of sand on the north side of Robins Island, marked by a green buoy. It is a favorite swim and anchor spot when the wind is right.
On the Shelter Island side, Coecles Harbor is one of the best protected harbors on the island. It is easy to anchor and stays calm even when the bay is choppy. West Neck Harbor is another sheltered option, shallow and good for an easy swim. Your captain picks the spot based on the wind, the tide, and your group.
Smaller boats can slip into shallow water the big yachts cannot reach. That is part of why the right boat matters for this trip. Tell us your group size and we will match you to a boat that fits the spots you want.
One Spot We Cannot Land On
Jessup Neck has a long sandbar too. But it sits inside the Morton Wildlife Refuge, so going ashore there is not allowed. We point it out from the water instead. We would rather tell you up front than have you expect a beach we cannot use.
How A Typical Trip Flows
Most sandbar trips run about four hours. A loose version goes like this. We leave the dock, run out to a calm spot, and drop the anchor. Then the afternoon is yours. Swim, float, eat what you brought, and soak up the quiet. When you are ready, we cruise a little more, then head back.
Nothing is locked to a clock. Tell us the pace you want and your captain builds the day around it.
The Best Time And Tide
Slack tide gives you the smoothest water. Mornings are usually calmer than windy afternoons. Wind matters more than people expect. A south wind chops up one side of the bay and leaves the other side calm.
Because Shelter Island sits between the two forks, we can pick the calm side that day. Midsummer can also bring jellyfish into the bay, so your captain picks a spot that avoids them when they show up. Ask us about the best time for your date when you call.
Wildlife And Quiet Water
The east side of Shelter Island is the Mashomack Preserve. It covers about a third of the island and is looked after by the Nature Conservancy. The back creeks there are some of the quietest water on Long Island in summer.
On a good day you might see osprey on the nest poles, herons working the shallows, and sometimes a deer right at the waterline. It is the kind of scenery you cannot get from a crowded beach.
We Keep These Waters Clean
The Peconic Estuary has been a federal No Discharge Zone since 2002. That means our boats pump out on shore, not in the water. We keep these creeks clean because we grew up swimming in them too.
Who A Sandbar Day Suits
This trip works well for families with kids, small groups of friends, and couples who just want a quiet afternoon. It is relaxed by design. If you want a louder party day, tell us and we will plan a different kind of trip.
What To Bring
Bring sunscreen, water, hats, and towels. Pack a cooler with food and drinks if you like. Bring a layer for the ride home, since it cools off on the water. Tell us if your group wants to swim and we will set the boat up for it.
Pickup And How To Book
We run out of 63 S Menantic Rd, Shelter Island, NY 11964. We can also pick you up at Greenport on the North Fork or Sag Harbor on the South Fork, so you do not have to drive to the island. Most trips run about four hours.
Every captain holds a USCG (US Coast Guard) license. Our cousins, Mike and JT, earned their captain licenses in 2019 and have run more than 200 charters since. Your trip is private. Your group, your captain, your spot.
Ready for a quiet day on the water? Call (631) 251-1777 or email captain@chartersinthehamptons.com to check your date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a real sandbar near Shelter Island? Not the kind you picture from Florida. Peconic Bay has very few bars you can stand on. The best known is the one on the north side of Robins Island. Most of your swim time is off the anchored boat in a calm cove. We pick the spot based on the day.
Can we swim off the boat? Yes. That is the whole idea. Tell us you want to swim and we will set the boat up for it. Your captain finds a calm, clear spot to drop anchor.
Do you pick up at Greenport on the North Fork? Yes. Greenport is one of our pickup points, along with Sag Harbor. Just tell us where you are staying when you book.
Are sandbar trips good for young kids? Yes. Calm coves and short distances make for an easy day with kids. Life jackets in all sizes are on board. Tell us their ages and we will keep the route close and calm.
Can we bring a dog? Tell us when you book and we will let you know what works on your boat. We want the day to be easy for everyone aboard.
What is the best time of day to go? Mornings are usually calmest. Slack tide gives the smoothest water for swimming. Call us and we will help you pick a time for your date.
