Lighthouse Beach

Lighthouse Beach is a small section of the Fire Island National Seashore that is adjacent to Robert Moses State Park on New York's Long Island. It was notable for having sections that were officially designated as clothing optional prior to 2013.[1][2][3]

The beach is named for the nearby Fire Island Lighthouse and was formerly the largest recognized clothing optional beach in New York. On 5 February 2013, the Fire Island National Seashore announced its plan to begin enforcing New York State anti-nudity laws on all Fire Island beaches, including Lighthouse Beach, ending clothing optional usage.[4] However, the decision does not change the official status granted for the practice of female toplessness, which is still allowed.[5]

The beach is approximately one mile (1.6 km) long and can be defined as the ocean facing beach between Robert Moses State Park and the community of Kismet. Technically, it is in the Town of Islip.

This image taken from the top of the lighthouse facing south shows the entirety of Lighthouse Beach. The parking lot of Field 5 of Robert Moses State Park can be seen next to the beach on the far right and the community of Kismet can be just seen in the mist on the far left.

Location
Point Coordinates
(links to map & photo sources)		 Notes
Western end 40.628252°N 73.225529°W / 40.628252; -73.225529 (Western end) Border of Robert Moses State Park and Fire Island National Seashore
Mid-point 40.629946°N 73.217703°W / 40.629946; -73.217703 (Mid-point) Textile section
Eastern end 40.632568°N 73.204758°W / 40.632568; -73.204758 (Eastern end) Border of Kismet

History

There are some reports of nudists using the beach as far back as World War II, getting to the island by rowboat. After the Robert Moses Causeway was extended to Fire Island in 1964, word slowly spread, resulting in the clothing optional usage expanding greatly in the 1970s.

Originally, the entire stretch of beach was clothing optional, however there have been some complaints from users objecting to the nudity going back to the 1980s. These complaints were largely from parents who visited the lighthouse and were surprised by the nudity on the beach.[6][7][8]

In 1994, due to negotiations between Friends of Lighthouse Beach and the National Park Service, the center section was made non-clothing optional or textile so that visitors from the lighthouse who did not want to see nudity could enjoy the beach.

Since 5 February 2013, the entirety of Lighthouse Beach has no longer been clothing optional.[4] Bathing suits are required at all times, and violators face a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine and six months in prison.[2] Note that in New York State, women are legally permitted to be topless[5] and continue to do so at this beach.

The beach is widely regarded as family friendly.[9]

Access

Since there is no vehicular traffic permitted in the Seashore,[10] visitors must come in from the Robert Moses State Park in the west or the community of Kismet in the east.[11] There is currently no handicapped access to the beach. In the past, there were accessible ramps from the westernmost boardwalk, but these have been destroyed by winter storms and have not yet been replaced.

Services

There are very limited services at this beach. There are no lifeguards or concessions. There are no trash receptacles making it a Carry in, Carry out facility. As with the rest of the Seashore, law enforcement is provided by National Park Service Rangers with occasional visits from the Suffolk County Police. At least two volunteer organizations work to ensure users are aware of appropriate behavior.[12][13]

References
  1. Naturist Action Committee, Inc. (2008). "Nude Beaches Yes!". Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  2. Santora, Marc (27 February 2013). "Crackdown on Nudity Planned for Fire Island Beach". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  3. Rudd, Candice (26 February 2013). "Officials ban nude sunbathing on Fire Island". Newsday. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  4. Koschmann, Lena (5 February 2013). "Lighthouse Beach Directive" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  5. Zuckerman, Esther (9 June 2011). "Yes, Ladies, You Can Walk Around the City Topless". Village Voice. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  6. Glass, Judy (23 August 1987). "NUDITY BAN SOUGHT AT FIRE I. LIGHT". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 March 2011. FOR the last several years, sunbathers without suits have soaked up rays in front of the Fire Island Lighthouse...
  7. Nieves, Evelyn (30 August 1994). "OUR TOWNS; Lighthouse Signals a Storm at the Beach". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  8. "LIGHTHOUSE BEACH MAY LOSE ITS CLOTHING OPTIONAL STATUS IF WE DO NOT TAKE ACTION NOW!". Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  9. "Nude Beaches on Fire Island, New York". Hualapai West, Inc. 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2011. Families, couples, single men, and single women all relax in a friendly atmosphere. Children run about digging holes in the sand, play paddleball, surf boogie boards, and splash along the sandy beach which is clean and litter-free.
  10. U.S. National Park Service. "Getting around on Fire Island". Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  11. U.S. National Park Service. "Getting to Fire Island". Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  12. "CLOTHING OPTIONAL BEACH ETIQUETTE:". Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  13. "Lighthouse Beach Etiquette". Retrieved 12 March 2011. ...If you see something, say something. If a person is unaware of the beach etiquette, politely explain what is expected. If he or she doesn't respond, it is appropriate to notify someone who may help to get the message across...

40.629946°N 73.217703°W / 40.629946; -73.217703 (Lighthouse Beach - nominal location)

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