Although Eastport was once the center of Long Island’s duck farming industry — producing 6.5 million ducks every year at its height in the first half of the 1900s — you’d never know it today. All the duck farms are gone now, with much of the land portioned off into residential properties. The little downtown at its heart, though, retains much of its charm thanks in part to its historic buildings. “Eastport is a quaint town that’s almost like the town that time forgot,” says Kevin Loiacono, a licensed real estate broker and the owner of BrookHampton Realty with over 30 years of experience. “It has a Mayberry kind of a downtown. It feels off the beaten path; it’s not busy like the Hamptons. It’s a very unique, charming town.” The waterfront community straddles the line between the Brookhaven and Southampton townships, and despite its proximity to some of the first Hamptons, it’s a quiet, year-round suburb with a reputation for comparatively lower home prices. “If somebody can’t find something because they’ve been priced out of the Hamptons, they’re looking in Eastport because it’s literally walking distance into Remsenburg,” says Jeannine Kowaleski, a Realtor at HomeSmart Premier Living Realty and Scala Properties who has lived nearby for nearly two decades.
Gorgeous contemporary beach houses overlook Seatuck Cove in Eastport.
There are 3 main canals that run throughout the south side of Eastport.
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Boating and fishing on Seatuck Cove and Moriches Bay
Situated on Seatuck Cove, many residents turn to the water for entertainment. Boating and fishing are popular, and those who don’t have private docks on waterfront properties can head to the town-owned marina or boat ramp. “If you’re a boater, it’s a nice spot,” Kowaleski says. “I would say fishing is definitely big because you’re in Seatuck Cove and you’re in Moriches Bay in a matter of two minutes by boat. And from there, you have access to the ocean as well.” Cupsogue Beach County Park, which is popular for fishing, swimming and sunbathing on the beach, is also just a few minutes away by boat. On land, the Eastport South Manor Athletic Complex has a large playground and baseball fields where local games and practices are held.
There is plenty of fishing spots around Eastport.
Don't forget your fishing pole when you head out in your boat in Eastport.
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Homes starting at $600,000
“Eastport has been around since the late 1700s, so there’s a nice historic area,” Kowaleski says. “Some of the houses are very old, but there’s also some really beautiful modern houses that have been built.” Most of its colonials, Cape Cods and new traditional-style houses were built after 1960. Homes start at about $600,000, and while most landlocked houses in the hamlet stay just shy of $1 million, some luxury four-bedroom new constructions can go for $1.7 million even if they’re landlocked. Waterfront estates most often top out at around $3 million but can occasionally hit the market for $7.5 million. Prices at a couple of 55+ townhouse subdivisions, Eastport Meadows and Encore Atlantic Shores, usually cost between $650,000 and $1 million. The CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, which is below the national average of 4.
New Traditional Craftsman style home with a spacious green yard and builtin pool in Eastport.
Beautiful Colonial style homes in Eastport.
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Trick or treating at local shops
Eastport holds little events meant for the locals rather than designed to draw a crowd, including a Halloween celebration. “They shut down the main street and they have food trucks, they have trick or treating for the kids at all the shops,” Kowaleski says, adding that they also shut this street, which is a section of Montauk Highway, down for winter holiday celebrations as well.
Quiet, historic downtown with local shops
Eastport’s little downtown is quiet and consists of a cluster of historic buildings, adding to its quaint vibe. These buildings host local shops, including a general store, hairdresser, antique stores and a bicycle shop, Kreb Cycle, that Loiacono says is so beloved that people from surrounding areas and even from the Hamptons themselves drive out for it. There’s also a handful of restaurants. Eastport Luncheonette is the little downtown’s most iconic restaurant. “The Luncheonette has a cult following,” Loiacono says. “It’s an old-school luncheonette, almost like you’d see in a movie.” Down the street, the family-owned Tacos Leales is known for its birria tacos.
It’s a quiet street, and Kowaleski says that the historic designation of its buildings means that it’s likely to stay that way. “Some people complain because, ‘Oh, it’s old, and there’s not enough restaurants,’ and things like that, but it’s going to stay that way,” she says. “Because our Main Street is pretty much where the historic stuff is. They’re just very limited in what they can do with the buildings.” But Kowaleski stresses that there are plenty of places to go outside of the downtown area, too. On Eastport’s waterfront, Trumpets on the Bay offers fresh seafood and a fine dining experience with views of the cove, and Triangle Pub serves casual American fair about half a mile from Eastport’s historic district. Olish’s Farm offers fresh produce and groceries are available at King Kullen. More shopping and dining are available in nearby towns, including Westhampton and Center Moriches, which are both just 4 miles away.
Eastport Luncheonette is a quaint eatery on the main Eastport stretch.
Eastports Main Street has a few shops and resturants.
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Career and technical education at Eastport-South Manor High
The Eastport-South Manor Central School District has a B-minus from Niche. Children can attend Tuttle Avenue School, which has a B-minus, from pre-kindergarten through second grade and Eastport Elementary School, which has a B-plus, from third through sixth grade. They then move on to Eastport-South Manor Junior/Senior High School, which has a B-minus. During high school, students can participate in a career and technical education program to study and get practical experience in fields like cosmetology, animal science and clinical medical assisting.
Embrace learning at Eastport Elementary School.
Eastport South Manor Junior Senior High School front entrance.
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Reaching Manhattan or Montauk
Major highways, including Sunrise Highway, Montauk Highway, Moriches Riverhead Road and Captain Daniel Roe Highway all cross through Eastport. Driving to Manhattan takes about an hour and 45 minutes without traffic. The closest Long Island Rail Road station is in Speonk. It can take about 2 hours to arrive in Manhattan and just under an hour and 15 minutes to reach Montauk. “You have access to everything,” Kowaleski says. “It’s a great spot.”
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