Wades Beach

Long Island


A lovely stretch of Shelter Island sand that is popular with families. There are a few picnic tables as well as a roped-off swimming area that's calm and cool.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Long Island attractions

1. Mashomack Nature Preserve

2.12 MILES

The 2000 acres of this Shelter Island reserve, shot through with creeks and marshes, are great for kayaking, birding and hiking (no cycling allowed). Take…

2. Crescent Beach

2.4 MILES

A half-mile of sun-kissed sands with numerous picnic tables, lifeguards on duty and at least two hotels with restaurant and bar services. It's known as…

3. Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum

4.03 MILES

The cool collection here includes actual artifacts from 19th-century whaling ships: sharp flensing knives, battered pots for rendering blubber, delicate…

4. Kontokosta Winery

5.13 MILES

One of the newer kids on the North Fork wine block, yet already producing award-winning vintages. You'll be as wowed by the scenery – it's the only local…

5. Channing Daughters Winery

6.3 MILES

This vineyard has 30 acres of vine trellises and grape plants. Step across the wide brick patio that looks out onto the property, and keep your eyes…

6. Horton Point Lighthouse

6.37 MILES

Perhaps a poorer sister to the famous Montauk lighthouse, Horton Point was also commissioned by President Washington, but finally built 60 years later by…

7. Orient Beach State Park

6.5 MILES

A sandy slip of land at the end of the North Fork, where you can swim in the calm ocean water (July and August only; 10:30am to 6pm) or rent kayaks to…

8. Lenz Winery

6.89 MILES

Established in 1978, this is one of the oldest North Fork wineries, and still one of the more eclectic, focusing on European-style wines. The sparkling…