Montauk: Surf, Seafood & Scenic Views

A National Historic Site, the Montauk Point Light offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean from the easternmost point of Long Island and is one of the best things to do in Montauk NY. Visitors can climb 137 iron steps to the top and tour the beautiful grounds. The visitor center houses a gift shop and a museum exhibiting an extensive collection of maritime artifacts and historical documents pertaining to the nation’s fourth oldest active lighthouse. The Montauk Lighthouse Triathlon is hosted here in July. In November, visitors can watch the holiday lighting complete with hot cider and a visit from Santa.

Montauk Point Lighthouse, 2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk, Long Island, Phone: 631-668-2544

If you keep going east to the very end of Long Island, you will find the undisturbed, wild, and diverse Camp Hero State Park. A former military base surrounded by dense, maritime forests mixed with freshwater wetlands, the park is bursting with wildlife and will offer you hours of peace and quiet.

Well-maintained trails will take you along the ocean coast opening to spectacular vistas and near deserted beaches where swimming is too dangerous but surf fishing (with a permit) is among the best in the world. You can hike, bike, ride your horse, or bring your dog for a walk. This park feels like a completely different world from the sophisticated, civilized Montauk.

Campers at Long Island’s Hither Hills State Park can choose from 153 sites bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Napeague walking dunes. The park’s biodiversity makes it a perfect spot for fishing, hunting, biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, bird watching, and plenty of other forms of entertainment.

Summer visitors can head to the beach and try a variety of children’s activities and special programs. The park offers a playground and playing fields along with a scenic picnic area with fireplaces. In addition to a two-mile sandy beach, a 40-acre lake is open to anglers year-round. Special features include the Napeague Bird Conservation Area and “walking dunes.”

164 Old Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954, Phone: 631-668-2554

Montauk Yacht Club is a 80-year-old iconic Montauk beach resort located on Star Island in the middle of the Montauk Lake. It will greet you with an excellent replica of the historic Montauk Lighthouse with timeless elegance matched by all the modern comforts. All your needs will be met, including docking for your boat right in front of the hotel in their luxurious marina.

It is to be expected that the food is equally superb, and it is served in Gulf Coast Kitchen’s light and airy dining room overlooking the beach. Fresh fish and seafood is the name of the game, but you can also get a pizza or a burger if that is what you are craving. Don’t forget to go for cocktails at the Turtle Lounge located inside of the Lighthouse tower.

32 Star Island Rd, Montauk, New York 11954, Phone: 631-668-3100

Navy Beach restaurant redefines “beach chic.” Designed to look like interior of a luxury yacht, this delightful, colorful place is not easy to find, but once you get there, you will not regret stopping by. It is located right on the beach on Fort Pond Bay. The beach was used during the WWII for torpedo testing. They took all torpedoes away, but don’t tell the kids, as they might enjoy a bit of a treasure hunt while you are sampling fabulous custom cocktails.

Here, you can easily bump into a number of celebrities, who, just like you, love the fun take on the seafood served at the Navy. Try the Montauk Seafood with mussels, clams, squid, shrimp, coconut milk, and bamboo rice or the outstanding crispy rock shrimp. They know their wine, and the wine list is extensive, but the rosé, of which they have three kinds, is the specialty of the house.

16 Navy Rd, Montauk, NY 11954, Phone: 631-668-6868

Lake Montauk stopped being a lake in 1927 when Carl Fisher, the owner of Montauk at the time, blasted a hole and let the seawater get in. The lake, once dredged, became a deep, protected bay and is today Montauk’s main port and a home to the biggest commercial as well as sporting fish fleets in New York State.

There is a ferry service that takes tourists from Long Island to Block Island and Connecticut during the summer. Lake Montauk is famous for fishing charters that are coming back with record catches. The myth is that local captain Frank Mundus was the inspiration for the character in the movie Jaws, although the writer Peter Benchley denies it.

Situated at the Hamptons' easternmost point on Long Island, around two miles from Montaukvillage, Ditch Plains is a sandy stretch of beach with a background of dense greenery. This popular surf spot in the East Coast was formerly a lookout point used by the Montaukett Native Americans. While it may cost money to park your car here, it's free to visit by foot or bike. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Ditch Plains is manned by lifeguards daily. However, many people can be seen on the beach even in the winter. Dogs are allowed on the beach from dawn until dusk.

Gosmans Restaurant opens for the season in May and is the ideal place to admire beautiful Montauk scenery while dining on delicious local seafood. Founded in 1943 by the Gosman family, the small restaurant and chowder stand has grown to include a casual dining room, rooftop deck, café, and clam bar. The restaurant and fish market boast the freshest seafood right from the dock, and exotic specialty items are flown in daily.

Shopping includes gourmet foods, clothing, and Montauk souvenirs. A summer concert series takes place on the outdoor stage on Sunday evenings in July and August. The dock is within walking distance of Gosman’s Culloden House Motels.

500 W Lake Dr, Montauk, New York 11954, Phone: 631-668-5330

Montauk Point State Park offers the best vantage point for spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean where it meets Block Island Sound. On calm days, the merging tides and beautiful scenery are guaranteed to awe visitors. Native seals can often be spotted sunbathing on nearby rocks. Nature trails provide great opportunities for hiking or cross-country skiing.

Visitors can also enjoy surf fishing and small and large game hunting in season. A restaurant and gift shop overlook the ocean, and the park’s rocky shoreline and Montauk Lighthouse are accessible from the parking area.

2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954, 631-668-3781