Our friends from LoveFins, the authorized concessioner for both Watch Hill and Sailors Haven, posted a photo of one of their new glamping tents on their Instagram page last week.  I shared it on our Fireislandandbeyond Instagram page and knew they had a hit right away as everyone wanted more info on how to get in on this.    Glamping is a new style luxury camping with real beds, mosquito protection, and many of the comforts of home.  I went over to Watch Hill, just east of Davis Park, on Saturday to see for myself and was even more impressed in person.  I took a few shots of the exterior of one already rented out and a few more under construction.   Although the location is isolated, it is still only a short walk to the marina with the Whalehouse Point Restaurant and general store.  If you aren’t familiar with Watch Hill, stay tuned as we will update you on what is happening at this hidden jewel shortly. 

Doug and Lee Biviano, the operators of LoveFins, expect to shortly have four glamping sites up and running with perhaps more in the future and are already taking reservations.  Doug was nice enough to provide more details on the concept along with reservation information below.  Lee Biviano also shared some interior photos taken before the first happy campers got set up last weekend.   Be sure to click the Love Fins clickable ad on the right side of FireIsalndandbeyond.com to keep up with what is happening at both Watch Hill and Sailors Haven. 

 

Glamp on the beach at Fire Island National Seashore.

Your adventure begins the minute you board the Watch Hill Ferry, run by the Davis Park Ferry Company departing from Patchogue River.  Glamping platform tents are located in the protected area behind majestic primary dunes, a short walk to ocean beach.  Relax in a spectacular barrier island ecology setting with the pristine high dunes intact, bordering 7 miles of the only federally designated wilderness in NYS.  Enjoy the lifeguarded ocean beach, the outdoors, the abundant wildlife, and whale sightings in a perfect family destination spring, summer, and fall.  At the FINS Visitor Center, the NPS Rangers offers guided nature & canoe tours, seining for aquatic wild and a Junior Ranger program.

We have four Glamping sites.   Sites 24 & 26 are now 14 x 16 ft tents with two queen beds and up to two cots optional.  Until mid July, sites 23 & 25 are 10 x 12 ft tents with one queen bed and up to three cots. When the new tents arrive (mid July), site 23 will be upgraded to a 14 x 16 ft tent, just like the other two.  Site 25 will be upgraded to a 12 x 14 ft tent with one queen bed and a day bed and up to two cots.  The good news is that FINS recently authorized larger tents than we had originally planned.

All four tents get the 8 ft of extended rain fly creating the covered porches.  The tents will have the mosquito netting option where the front and back sides roll up to allow airflow and light while keeping bugs out. They also have netted side windows.

For bedding the, 14 x 16 ft tents will have two queen beds either memory foam or Tuft & Needle’s latest adaptive foam.  You may request up to six total guests in these tents with the addition of two Coleman Deluxe Camping Cots with covered foam pads.   The 12  x 14 ft tent  will have one queen bed and a day bed.  You may request up to five guests in this size tent (with two additional cots but limited floor space when cots are open).   The 10 x 12 ft will have one queen bed.  You may request up to five in this tent with the addition of three cots but it will be limited in floor space when the cots are opened.   In all tents sizes, each additional guest over two guests, there will be a $10 per person per night fee.

Every tent will come standard with clean bedding and sateen sheets (including the cots).  There will be a dresser, a small makeup mirror and night stands.  Bath towels (not beach) will be provided.   Two rechargeable LED lanterns with USB charging port will be provided per tent.  On the covered porch, two Adirondack style chairs and a large cooler will be provided.  As with all campsites there will also be a picnic table and charcoal grill for your use.  Luxury packages are available where you’ll find ice, food and beverages awaiting your arrival (we’re developing now, call for more info).

Up to two dogs are welcome but for the extra cleaning there will be $10 per night per dog fee.  Dogs must not be allowed on bedding or left unattended in the tents.  They must be on a leash at all times and use the dog rest areas at the marina.  Check with FINS regarding dog access on the beach.  Generally they are allowed everywhere within the visitor areas and the beach west of the staircase to the west of the lifeguarded areas (not to the east nor in the lifeguarded areas).
For more information, please visit the LoveFins website for more information on rates and reservations!
More Photos  from Lee Biviano on Pages 2,3, and 4