Captree State Park
🚢 Long Island’s Fishing Fleet — Where Charter Boats Launch for Stripers, Blues, and Fluke in the Shadow of Fire Island — Captree State Park on the south shore of Long Island, Suffolk County, New York, marina with charter fishing fleet, boat basin on Great South Bay, Fire Island Inlet, Robert Moses Causeway, crabbing, picnicking, views of Fire Island Lighthouse, seafood restaurant — Suffolk County, NY
Under the high arc of the Robert Moses Causeway, where Long Island’s south shore meets the Great South Bay, a fleet of charter fishing boats rides at their moorings. Captree State Park is Long Island’s fishing headquarters — the place where families book a half-day charter for fluke, where serious anglers chase striped bass at the inlet, and where everyone comes back to the dock with stories.
The park sits at the gateway to Fire Island — the barrier island that protects Long Island’s south shore from the Atlantic. The Fire Island Lighthouse rises across the inlet. The Great South Bay stretches east toward the Hamptons. And the charter boats run dawn to dusk, all season long.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Charter Fishing | Captree’s fleet of charter and party boats offers half-day and full-day trips for fluke (summer flounder), striped bass, bluefish, porgy, blackfish, and seasonal bottom fish. Party boats accommodate 30–80 passengers. Private charters available for smaller groups |
| Boat Basin | Full-service marina and boat basin with transient slips, fuel dock, bait and tackle shops, and boat launch ramps. The launching point for recreational boating in the Great South Bay and Atlantic Ocean |
| Crabbing | Blue claw crabs in the Great South Bay — accessible from the park’s bulkheads and piers. Bring a crab trap or hand line. Summer is peak season. One of the best crabbing spots on Long Island’s south shore |
| Fire Island Views | The Fire Island Lighthouse (1858, 168 feet tall) is visible across the inlet. The Robert Moses Causeway connects to Robert Moses State Park and Fire Island. The views of the barrier island and lighthouse from Captree are iconic Long Island |
| Dining | Waterfront seafood restaurant overlooking the boat basin — fresh catch from the charter fleet. Outdoor seating with views of the bay, the boats, and Fire Island. The kind of place where you eat what was swimming that morning |
| Picnicking | Picnic areas along the waterfront with bay views. Playgrounds. Walking paths. A saltwater breeze that smells like the ocean. The park is a popular family destination even for non-anglers |
The South Shore
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Great South Bay | A shallow, 45-mile-long bay between Long Island’s south shore and the Fire Island barrier beach. Once the oyster capital of the East Coast. Now a world-class recreational waterway for boating, fishing, crabbing, and clamming |
| Fire Island | The 31-mile barrier island across the inlet — mostly car-free, with 17 communities, two state parks, and Fire Island National Seashore. Accessible by ferry from several south shore towns — or by the Robert Moses Causeway from Captree |
| Robert Moses | The causeway, the state park, and the legacy. Robert Moses — the controversial “master builder” of New York — created the parks and parkways that opened Long Island’s beaches to millions. Captree sits at the southern end of his vision |
| The Fleet | Captree’s charter fishing fleet has operated for decades — one of the largest concentrations of fishing boats on the East Coast. The captains know these waters generation to generation. The fleet is a Long Island institution |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 🎣 Peak fishing season — fluke, bluefish, striped bass. Crabbing. The fleet at full capacity. Waterfront dining. Long days on the bay |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | 🐟 Striped bass migration. Blackfish season. Fewer crowds. Crisp bay air. The best fishing of the year for experienced anglers |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Fleet launching for season. Flounder starting. Stripers returning. The bay warming. Charter bookings opening |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Limited fleet operations. Blackfish (tog) and cod trips weather-permitting. The bay gray and cold. Beautiful in its austerity |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own boat?
No — the charter and party boats provide everything. Party boats run scheduled trips (typically half-day, full-day) and provide rod, reel, and bait. Just show up with a New York saltwater fishing license (available online) and a cooler for your catch.
Is this connected to Fire Island?
Yes — the Robert Moses Causeway connects Captree to Robert Moses State Park at the western end of Fire Island. It’s one of the few road connections to the barrier island. Most of Fire Island is car-free and accessible only by ferry.
🚢 A Fleet of Charter Boats. The Great South Bay. Fire Island Across the Water.
The fishing capital of Long Island’s south shore. Dawn trips for fluke. Sunset crabbing from the pier. A seafood restaurant where you eat what was caught that morning. And the Fire Island Lighthouse on the horizon.
