For decades, the first evidence of land for travelers crossing the vast Atlantic Ocean from Europe was the Fire Island Lighthouse. Completed in 1858 near the site of its 1826 predecessor, the current Fire Island Lighthouse is still a beacon attracting thousands of people each year. Its light, 167 feet above the level of the sea, can be seen more than 20 miles away.     

The Fire Island Lighthouse is on the western part of Fire Island National Seashore, adjacent to Robert Moses State Park. The Fire Island Lighthouse area offers exhibits, a nature trail, interpretive programs and curriculum-based fourth grade education programs (school groups by reservation only). There is walking access to the Lighthouse Beach (no lifeguards).

The Fire Island Lighthouse is operated by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. The light is now maintained and operated by the Society as a private aid to navigation.

FILPS conducts annual fundraisers to help support its work throughout the year.

On November 1, 1858, the light in the new Fire Island Lighthouse was lit for the first time. 

The original lighting apparatus in the current Fire Island Lighthouse was a magnificent First Order Fresnel lens. The artifact—now more than 150 years old—is currently in storage. (See animation "How a Fresnel Lens Works," from www.pbs.org.)

Today the light is lit by a DCB-224, with two 1000-watt bulbs, which rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. The rotation gives the appearance of a flash every 7.5 seconds.

Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society periodically offers Behind-the-Scenes Tours to help interested attendees learn more.

 

Things To Do:
 Interpretive Programs/Guided Tours
 Education Programs
 Special Events
Maritime Museum
 Beachcombing
 Birdwatching
 Nature Trail

The Fire Island Lighthouse is a newly-recognized South Shore Estuary Reserve Bayway Destination.

How To Get There
The Fire Island Lighthouse is located at the southern terminus of Robert Moses Causeway, just east of Robert Moses State Park.  

From I-495 (Long Island Expressway, LIE) 
Take Exit 53S to Sagtikos Parkway to Southern State Parkway (2 exits)

From Southern State Parkway (SSP)
Take Exit 40 south onto Robert Moses Causeway

From Sunrise Highway
Take exit 41S onto Robert Moses Causeway

Take Robert Moses Causeway south to the end. At the Robert Moses water tower proceed east to Parking Field #5.

There is a parking fee at certain times of the year. On busy summer weekends, you should expect a delay getting to the park due to the high volume of traffic.

Park on the east side of the parking lot and follow the boardwalk right to the lighthouse.

Important Phone Numbers:

Fire Island Lighthouse
Robert Moses Causeway
Bay Shore, NY 11706
631-661-4876

GPS Coordinates:

Latitude, 40° 37' 53" North
Longitude, 73° 12' 51" West

 

 

Learn More

History of Fire Island

History of the Fire Island Lighthouse
   Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society

Lighthouses of Long Island
   Long Island Chapter, United States Lighthouse Society

Lighthouses to Visit in Other National Parks

National Park Service
Maritime Heritage Program

 

Plans for a New Fresnel Lens Display Building

An environmental assessment and assessment of effect for the proposed construction of a building to display the Fire Island Light Station's original first order Fresnel lens was available for public review in early 2007. After a period of public review and comment, a Finding of No Significant Impact was signed in August 2007, paving the way for planning and fundraising to create a new home for first light used at the Fire Island Lighthouse. 

• Fire Island National Seashore, Fire Island Lighthouse First Order Fresnel Lens Return and Display,
  Environmental Assessment /Assessment of Effect,
   March 2007
• • Figure 1: Fire Island National Seashore Lands
  • Figure 2: Fire Island Lighthouse Project Location Aerial Map
  • Figure 3: Detailed Project Location Map
  • Figure 4: Fire Island Lighthouse Aerial Photo
  • Figure 5: Alternative A – No Action Alternative
  • Figure 6: Alternative B - Construct New Compatible Structure (NPS Preferred Alternative)
  • Figure 7: Alternative C - Reconstruct Period Historic Structure
  • Figure 8: Fire Island Lighthouse Historic Power Station Photo

The Fire Island Light Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 11, 1981.

See Cultural Landscapes Inventory for Fire Island Light Station, 2004