Fair Harbor, New York

Corliss on the Bay at the bayfront in Fair Harbor.

Fair Harbor is a hamlet located near the western end of Fire Island. It is a part of the Town of Islip on Long Island, New York. Fair Harbor falls under the police jurisdiction of Suffolk County Marine Bureau and is protected by its own volunteer fire department, the Fair Harbor Fire Department, founded in 1931.

Fair Harbor, like most other Fire Island communities, is mainly a summer community, though a few families choose to live there year-round. Children attend the Fire Island School District in Corneille Estates until grade 6, at which point they are bussed to public schools in Bay Shore or Islip, or to one of the many private and parochial schools on the Long Island mainland for grades 7–12. The neighboring communities of Dunewood and Lonelyville, to the east, rely on many of Fair Harbor's services, such as the Fire Department and the two markets.

Community

Fair Harbor is a seasonal beach community. Many of the homes have been passed down from generation to generation, while others are newly constructed. The town has a strong rental market, with houses renting for the season, month or week. Since there is limited car access to Fire Island, biking and walking is the main mode of transportation. It also has a volunteer Fire Department and EMT service, and lifeguards on the bay and beach during the summer months.

The town and Island's primary form of transportation.

Economy

Being a seasonal community, Fair Harbor offers only a few services. The Pioneer Market is the only grocer in the hamlet; Le Dock, the only restaurant, is open for lunch and dinner and offers both indoor and outdoor dining. The Loading Dock sells liquor and wine, and Corliss on the Bay (pictured) sells miscellaneous items including bikes, souvenirs, hardware, toys, magazines, books, paint, and garden items.

These stores are open 7 days a week in season and closed during the off season (October through May).

Geography

Fair Harbor is located on the western part of Fire Island between the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Saltaire is the Incorporated Village immediately west of Fair Harbor while Dunewood and Lonelyville are directly to the east. To get to Fair Harbor, take the ferry from Bay Shore.

Medical Care

While there are no hospitals or clinics in the town, medical service is provided in the summer months by the Fair Harbor Medical District. The district hires doctors, on one week intervals, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The district provides a walk-in doctor's office and doctor's residence. The doctors are not paid but get a free week at the beach, are allowed to keep modest fees from patients and have office hours two hours a day—from 11 to Noon and 5 to 6 PM. For medical emergencies, the Fair Harbor Fire Department provides emergency medical services (EMS) which transports patients by its ambulance or by Suffolk County Police boat to Good Samaritan or Southside hospitals on the mainland, or to Stony Brook if transported by SCPD helicopter.

External links

• Fair Harbor Community Association
• Fire Island News and Travel Guide Fair Harbor
• Fair Harbor, Fire Island Ferry Schedule on iPhone