On the surface, Central Fire Island is defined by pristine beaches, forests tucked between dunes and little coastal towns at the heart of Fire Island, which is a thin coastal barrier island 5 miles across the Great South Bay from Long Island. But looking a little deeper reveals the area’s other main draw: the long history of a couple of its communities as safe, accepting spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. One of these is Cherry Grove, known to locals as “The Grove.” It’s among the oldest communities on the island and has been a popular summer getaway for New York’s theater and arts groups since the 1930s. Today, the entirety of Central Fire Island is known for being incredibly LGBTQ-friendly. “It’s like gay Mayberry out here,” says Vinnie Petrarca, a licensed real estate broker and owner of Vinnie Petrarca Fire Island Real Estate who has lived on the island for 35 years. “The vibe is really what brings me back. It’s a very accepting place that’s also very beautiful. Beautiful vegetation and, of course, the beach. But essentially, the vibe is one of acceptance and 'live and let live.' And that hasn’t changed in all the years that I’ve been here.”
This is an aerial overview of Central Fire Island.
Take a ride on the water taxi to get around Central Fire Island.
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Seasonal living without cars
For the most part, cars aren’t allowed on the island, which eliminates the traffic that some coastal towns experience close to the beach or near shopping. “Most people get around by foot or bicycle,” says Lisa Campbell, a licensed real estate salesperson with Netter Beach Estates. Residents who can’t rely on walking or bikes to get everywhere can get permits for golf carts, and a few businesses are allowed the use of cars, but for most people, the only way on and off the island is the ferry. From May through October, the National Park Service reports that 2.2 million visitors flock over to Fire Island. Central Fire Island itself is considered one of the most LGBTQ-friendly resort spots in the country. The opulent Belvedere Guest House for Men, designed to resemble a Venetian palace, dominates Cherry Grove's shoreline. As a result, living among tourists is definitely a part of life here. So is the island’s seasonality, as few residents stay during the cold months — not just because of the cold, but for logistical reasons as well. “That has changed a bit since COVID, where more people are here until the end of the year,” Petrarca says. “But all the businesses close by the end of October, so that month of November, although it’s very beautiful here, you have to be very organized in terms of food and getting yourself here and leaving.”
Couples take a leisurely walk past The Ice Palace Central Fire Island.
Vacationers and residents head back to the main land from Central Fire Island.
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Vast stretches of beach, exploring the Sunken Forest
The entire southern edge of the island is edged with sand, making it one huge beach right on the Atlantic Ocean. Spending time on the sand and in the water is a huge part of life here — swimming, fishing, boating and various water sports are all popular. There are marinas and a few beaches on the bay side, including Sailors Haven. It’s a little beach with an attached marina located right next to the Sunken Forest, which thrives against all odds between sand dunes. It’s a unique habitat, one of the few remaining examples of a maritime holly forest in the world. Some of its trees are estimated to be about 300 years old. Wheelchair-accessible wooden paths wind through it, providing an easy walkway for visitors looking to explore beneath its shade. "It’s a beautiful spot with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets,” Campbell says. “It is protected and will never be developed."
It's a beautiful beach day on Central Fire Island.
The Sunken Forest gets its name because it is sunken behind the dunes of Central Fire Island.
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Abundant contemporary and modern homes
Much of the island is crisscrossed by wooden boardwalks in lieu of concrete sidewalks, even winding behind and between houses, and most yards are dominated by sand and beach vegetation. Architectural styles vary widely, including beach cottages, often with cedar shake siding, contemporary homes dating anywhere from 1960 to the present and modern-style homes. The occasional two-bedroom fixer-upper could start as low as $550,000, while more move-in ready two-bedrooms start around $950,000. A fully updated three- to five-bedroom waterfront beach house with a private pool can climb to about $4 million. The CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10. The national average is 4.
Here is a gorgeous modern home in Central Fire Island.
Nothing beats the look of a cedar shake home by the beach.
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'The Invasion' of the Pines
The Fourth of July is the biggest holiday in Central Fire Island — and not for the usual reasons. Here, the holiday shares space with The Invasion of the Pines, a colorful gathering that commemorates and celebrates a very real protest. In 1976, a drag queen from Cherry Grove was denied service in a Fire Island Pines establishment. To protest, a group of Cherry Island drag queens dressed up on July 4th, piled onto a water taxi and “invaded” the community, known locally as “The Pines.” It was short-lived but well-received, with the queens getting a few complementary drinks before heading home, but it was the start of a tradition. “Every Fourth of July, they reenact 'The Invasion,' but now it takes place on the ferry and there are hundreds of drag queens with a police escort and all of the boats blaring their horns as they come into the harbor,” Petrarca says. “So it really is a big pageant. It’s silly and funny.” Over 400 drag queens participate in the event, which draws thousands. There are other events throughout the warm months, too, including The Pines Party. “It’s a weekend event that culminates with a big dance on the beach itself,” Petrarca says. “It goes from 10 in the evening until sunrise.” At Christmas, the few remaining residents gather at the Fire Island lighthouses in anticipation of the long-running Santa reenactment flyover, during which a pilot dressed as Santa parachutes gifts from his plane.
The famous FIPINES sign greets all ferry passengers in Central Fire Island.
Canteen offers breakfast and such at Fire Island Pines dock in Central Fire Island.
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Bars, nightlife and essentials around the docks
Although commercial centers here are small and often centered around docks or harbors where ferries come in, nightlife is incredibly lively. Cherry’s on the Bay is a go-to spot where drinks are combined with live DJs and dancing, drag shows and the high-spirited antics of staff and other patrons. The Pavilion and Sip-n-Twirl are also favorite party spots that offer music, dancing and drag shows. Cherry Grove Community House and Theater, which is the oldest known LGBTQ+ theater in America, also hosts a wide range of events, from weekly “Jazz-a-Size” classes to nighttime shows. Locals in The Pines head to Pines Pantry for groceries, while The Grove residents head to Grove Market. Both commercial centers have a few boutiques, but nearly everything — including the grocery stores — shut down for the winter. As a result, savvy residents who winter in town stock up for the season at Costco on Long Island. CJ’s in nearby Ocean Beach is the only restaurant open all year long.
Beat the summer heat in Central Fire Island with an ice cream from Sweet Licks.
Cherry's On The Bay sits at bay side near ferry in Central Fire Island.
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Woodhulll is a union free school district in the area of Central Fire Island.
Young children attend Fire Island schools
Children attend Woodhull School, which is the only school in the Fire Island School District and is often referred to by locals as the Fire Island School, from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The school has a student-to-teacher ratio of 5-to-1 and although it's too small for a Niche rating, GreatSchools gives it a 10/10. Older children must move to schools on Long Island, such as Bay Shore Middle School, which earns a B-plus on Niche, and Bay Shore High School, which earns an A-minus and offers extracurriculars like creative writing, set design and construction and web design clubs.
Regular ferries during the summer
For the few cars on the island, Burma Road is a one-lane strip that provides access to the bridges at either end of the island. After summer ends, ferry service is reduced to twice a day when what’s known as the work boat departs the island at 7:30 a.m. and returns around 5 p.m. “Fire Island isn’t that far from Manhattan. And there is a train from Bay Shore to the city that only takes a little over an hour,” Campbell says. Some privately owned boats and water taxis make regular trips to the mainland.
Ferry depart from Sayville docks for Central Fire Island.
Boats and water taxis arrive to Central Fire Island.
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
171
Median Age
57
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
12.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$106,250
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$113,068
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
72.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
16.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.7%
% Population in Labor Force
71.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
37''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
