The Peconic Puffin

A blog about a group of windsurfers and other water sports enthusiasts, and their friends. Established 1993.

recent posts

about

Map: Long Island Windsurfing

Drag your cursor to move the map around.  Click on the “<<” in the upper right corner for a list of sailing sites..  Use the zoom control on the left side of the map to get a closer look.   Locations in purple are the principal launches that the Puffins (and most East End windsurfers) use.   I’ve begun listing best wind directions and some other basic details.  Jonathan Ford at Hampton Watersports is a great source of information on Long Island launches…give him a call (631-283-9463) if you need info that’s not here.  So are the good people in the Yahoo LI Windsurfing forum (thank you Ely for the bulk of the info!)

If you sail from a spot that’s not on the map, feel free to leave a comment with the details.  I’ve turned off the ability for people to automatically add, as I was receiving some unclear submissions.   Please do recommend new spots, though! 

If you want to add information for a launch that’s already on the map, the map won’t let you add it directly.  Either leave a comment below, or email the info to me and I’ll add it ASAP.
Lastly, if you have a question about any of the launches leave a comment, and either I’ll get back to you (if I have the answer) or I’ll reach out to find someone who knows.   

Every one of these sailing spots can be tricky…even dangerous…in the wrong conditions, particularly the ocean launches.     I strongly recommend that you not sail any of these spots by yourself, and if you’re new to a spot, don’t sail without discussing the place with a knowledgable sailor who is already there.

The first time I ever surfed the web (circa 1994) a friend showed me Yahoo.   I entered “windsurfing long island” and was introduced to Mike Creutz’ Windsurfing Sites on Long Island.   It’s the original Long Island windsurfing web site, and I’m glad it’s still around.

Posted in ,

27 responses to “Map: Long Island Windsurfing”

  1. neurstev Avatar
    neurstev

    I have just opened your amazing mag. I have perused about 25% of the provided material and my jaw is still paralzed, stuck in the open position.
    The PP is extraordinary and in one place you have it all: THE WOW, THE WHOA AND THE WAY.
    Warmly,
    Former WindMeat

    Reply
  2. Ely Avatar
    Ely

    Hi Michael,
    Really nice job with the map although I couldn’t load it with Safari 1.0.3. It worked fine with Firefox. By the way, it’s Crab Meadow Beach, not Crab Money. Although with the right tide and NE winds, you’re really sailing “in the money”!

    Reply
  3. Peconic Puffin (Michael) Avatar
    Peconic Puffin (Michael)

    Doh! Crab Meadow is now fixed. The map loads for me on Safari (I have 1.3.1). Thanks again for the info!

    Reply
  4. eric anderson Avatar
    eric anderson

    sailing at shirles brookhaven park is great for flat water sailing in due north to due south winds on a north to west wind you can sail over to the flats off fire island and really do speed runs directions william floyd pkwy south make rt at 1rst traffic light past the 7-11 go to end make left

    Reply
  5. rofovnifo Avatar
    rofovnifo

    Hi
    Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much!
    G’night

    Reply
  6. chuck warish Avatar
    chuck warish

    I live in commack and am looking to try a windsurfing lesson
    I have no experience
    please contact
    chksplace@yahoo.com

    Reply
  7. Vasiliki Avatar
    Vasiliki

    Dear all,
    great website. I used to surf a lot but for a few years I stopped. I want to start again. What is the best location for renting in Long Island, with flat waters and easy winds ? But I need to rent the surfing equipment.
    Thank you.
    Vasiliki

    Reply
  8. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Hello Vasiliki,
    For equipment rental contact Windsurfing Hamptons at (631) 283-9463. There are a number of good flatwater spots on Long Island…the most convenient will depend on where you’re located. In the Peconic area Napeague and Mecox are the best choices.

    Reply
  9. Jonathan Avatar
    Jonathan

    Does anyone know of any good windsurfing location in Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye, etc? I recently moved to Westchester. Thanks.

    Reply
  10. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Jonathan,
    You might try joining the Yahoo Hudson River Windsurfers’ Group. Perhaps we’ll hear from some other Westchester sailors…the only two I know sail Long Island and the Hudson.

    Reply
  11. Alfonso Avatar
    Alfonso

    I am new to the NY area, and coming from Jacksonville, FL.
    How is windsurfing in Long Island, wind speed, water temperatures, dead periods?
    Thank you.

    Reply
  12. michael Avatar
    michael

    This blog chronicles the last two years of my own windsurfing on Long Island, which should give you a basic idea. Windsurfing on Long Island is very good, though we don’t have very predictable conditions. Spring and Fall are windiest (winter is good as well, though the temperatures mean a drysuit is an absolute neccessity.) Summer is lightest. August can be “dead”. July and August can be sailed in a bathing suit, but wetsuits are necessary for the rest of the year.
    We get any and all windspeeds. If I was going to own three sails, I’d have (at 165 lbs) a 6.2, a 5.5, and a 4.7. I own sails up to 7.0 (some people go larger) and down to 3.4.
    For information on Long Island windsurfing I recommend three primary sources: The Yahoo Long Island Windsurfing Forum, which is a message board community of many of Long Island’s windsurfers (and a great place to ask questions), Windsurfing Hamptons, which is the main windsurfing shop on the island (a great shop with a very helpful owner named Jon Ford) and last (and least) this blog, though there are other Long Island windsurfing blogs (Windsurfing the East End and Drysuit 2).
    Welcome to the area! We’re in prime sailing season right now.

    Reply
  13. Todd Gordon Avatar
    Todd Gordon

    I would like to give my wife the gift of beginner windsurfing lessons. We live in Shoreham, NY. Can anyone suggest a good place for lessons and rentals? Thanks. TG

    Reply
  14. the editor Avatar
    the editor

    Todd, give Windsurfing Hamptons a call. They’ll know who the nearest instructor to you is. In terms of equipment rentals I don’t know what’s available on the north shore…it’s possible that instructors up there will have beginner rigs to use during lessons.

    Reply
  15. Ted Avatar
    Ted

    Great launch map. Is there any link to view the map full page, and not embedded within your page? I’m hoping to use the map on my phone as I look for these launches. I’m new to the area, and joined the yahoo windsurfing group so I can track where everyone goes because I’d rather not sail alone. I’m hoping to get out on the ocean soon one weekend. Please let me know if there is a direct link to view the map bigger. Thanks and great website.
    Ted
    wstt@juno.com

    Reply
  16. Fred Stouls Avatar
    Fred Stouls

    Just had a great day at Bellport, I found a good launch with some sand to rig properly, at the end of south howells point road.
    enter that in your GPS:
    Lat 40 44 32 N
    Long 72 57 01 w
    Cheers,
    Fred

    Reply
  17. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Fred, it’s added (now listed as “Bellport II”). Note that when I entered your GPS numbers I found myself a few miles out to sea. However searching for the end of South Howells Point Road worked just fine. Thanks for the addition!

    Reply
  18. Linteribuisee Avatar
    Linteribuisee

    Just set this forum via google. Glad to join you. I came here to learn your lingo . thanks all.

    Reply
  19. Andres Hurtado Avatar
    Andres Hurtado

    Nice meeting you Mike, thanks for your advice!!! see u soon man!!!!
    ANDRES

    Reply
  20. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    And you, Andres…see you on the water!

    Reply
  21. Dennis Avatar
    Dennis

    Michael,
    Can you give a bit more information about Mecox Bay sailing? I know you posted the other on the Yahoo group about it, but it seems that I deleted your post.
    Info. about parking, max. fin size, etc.
    I don’t want to jinx it, but possibly some SW on Wednesday? We’ll see.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  22. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Hi Dennis,
    There are two main launches at Mecox. “The Yacht Club” is a simple boat launch ramp at the end of the road, with a small grassy area to one side on which you can rig. It works SE, S, SW,and W. Mecox is an enclosed bay…no tides, and it’s depth depends on how much rain there’s been and when the last time it was “cut” and drained into the ocean (at “the Cut”. Most of the bay is 4-7 feet deep, and it sails as flat water. On long runs (when it’s blowing SW) as you approach the ocean barrier beach on the far side it gets shallow, but you’ll see it well in advance. Most important thing to look for way down there is the occasional crab trap. So in summation, any fin size will work…I used to sail my 8.8 with a 56 cm sword there no problem.
    It’s rare that there are more than one or two vehicles parked there, though I’ve seen eight.

    Reply
  23. Blake Auchincloss Avatar
    Blake Auchincloss

    Can’t find it on your website . . . can anyone tell me if there is a parking or launching fee at CIB Bayville LI? Also are there bathrooms there and do they permit dogs on the beach?

    Reply
  24. Blake Auchincloss Avatar
    Blake Auchincloss

    Previous comment about access/fees/bathrooms at Bayville, but this would be great information to post on your site for ALL the sailing sites you list . . . . so those of us who are new to the area could find our way around. Sorry if it’s already on the site and I just missed it and thanks for this most helpful forum!!!

    Reply
  25. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Hi Blake! For up to the minute info on specific locations I suggest you join the Long Island Yahoo Windsurfers Group. When folks send me information I add it to the map, but there’s no way I have the time to update it for the info you’re asking.
    https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/LongIslandWindsurfer/info

    Reply
  26. Pablo Avatar
    Pablo

    Originally from Puerto Rico and been in NYC for quite some years. Now really want to get back into windsurfing. Anyone near the city? Need a primer regarding the windsurfing scene around here.
    thanks!
    Pablo

    Reply
  27. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Pablo, finding the map is a good start! Now join the Yahoo Long Island Windsurfing Group to find where people are windsurfing.
    Welcome back!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to TedCancel reply

Discover more from The Peconic Puffin

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading