Oyster Bay Paddling Trail - North Shore of Long Island - Fujufilm XP30 Camera

Creek Beach Kayak Racks, Millneck Bay

(Link to Kayak Trail Map Below)

I had the opportunity to merge two of my main endeavors - kayaking and my job (environmental planning) this past weekend as I offered to conduct a shoreline survey of Oyster Bay (for my job) and take photos by kayak (fun bonus). Used the new Fujifilm XP30 digital camera which puts a GPS tag on the photos (if you've got signal and the battery isn't dead).  Not the greatest photo quality but overall a decent camera. GPS takes a few moments to obtain satellite coordinates so if you take a photo quickly, it may not register its location. Video quality of the camera seems a bit better than the still photos.   For $200 a waterproof camera with GPS, not bad.

Oyster Bay has a bunch of nice tidal marshes, many launch sites - some with free parking - and food/services in close proximity to the shore (especially in Bayville and the Oyster Bay hamlet).   The Town is among a number of Long Island Towns that have issued RFP's recently with guidance/funding from NYSDOS to enact "Blueway Trails" for small boaters. Improvements to launch points, signage, and facilities are the ultimate goal.  A potential success story for paddling ACCESS - always a problematic issue for kayakers.

Cormorants off Peacock Point, Lattingtown, NY

Frost Creek, Golf Course Crossing and Baby Horseshoe Crab

In response to a request for more info on kayaking the Town of Oyster Bay's coastline (Hempstead Harbor, Oyster Bay Harbor, and Cold Spring Harbor) - I've listed launch points and sights for kayakers based on my 2011 reconnaissance of the shoreline for the Town's Blueway Trail RFP.    The locations numbered below are shown on 3 maps that I've put on Google Docs - link to maps here: Oyster Bay Kayak Launch Map. 

All of these sites are viable kayak launch and/or rest stops - but the best kayak launches (typically with free parking and easy boat access) I've starred *. Some launches require a specific Village Parking Permit, but some you may be able to park nearby. Enjoy.


Primary Launch Points – with a public boat ramp and/or kayak/canoe storage:


1. Harry Tappen Beach – Town of Oyster Bay* (fee to park, but nice ramp)

2. Garvies Point Boat Ramp – City of Glen Cove* (Best Kayak Launch in the Oyster Bay region in my opinion, no fee)

3. Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Beach – Town of Oyster Bay* (2nd Best Kayak launch in region, drive to west end, no fee in DEC lot)

4. Creek Beach – Village of Bayville* (excellent kayak friendly, but I recall a fee in season).

5. Bridge Marina – Village of Bayville

6. Sea Cliff Beach Park – Village of Sea Cliff



Secondary Launch Points – public access to shoreline and parking:

7. Crescent Beach Road – City of Glen Cove (steep carry, but no fee)

8. Welwyn Preserve – City of Glen Cove

9. Garvies Point Boating Association (Garvies Point Preserve)

10. Pryibil Beach – City of Glen Cove* (public beach, but stairs distant from bathers at west end of lot)

11. Oak Neck/Stehli Bathing Beach – Village of Bayville

12. Oyster Bay Cove Beach – Village of Oyster Bay Cove (very nice, but Village parking)

13. Centre Island Village Beach Park – Village of Bayville* (3rd Best Kayak Launch in region, no fee)



Points of Interest and Stopover Locations:

14. Frost Creek Tidal Creek and Marsh - Village of Lattingtown Wildlife Preserve

15. Welwyn Preserve and Holocaust Museum

16. Dining and Amusements along the Beachfront of Bayville

17. West Pond Marsh (accessible during high tide)

18. Rum Point Park

19. Mill Neck Preserve (tidal marsh in Mill Neck Bay)

20. Village of Laurel Hollow Beach (residents only, and they're serious)

21. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

22. Morgan Park (possibly launch, need wheels to reach beach, parking fee)

23. Commercial Center of Downtown Oyster Bay