Paddler's Paradise: Eastern Long Island

“Paddle to Lunch at Rumba” attracts a dozen paddlers every time we plan it. Put in at the end of Shinnecock Road or Penny Lane in Hampton Bays, and paddle north to Rumba, or Cowfish, for a tasty seafood lunch. Rumba has a car parking problem, so they love us to come by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Or you could paddle to Edgewater.

Canoe or kayak the Peconic River from Connecticut Avenue in Manorville to the headwaters in Riverhead. It takes about four hours. It’s peaceful, fishing is good and the scenery is beautiful. Good restaurants abound along the seven-mile trip. You can get pizza, BBQ ribs, mac-and-cheese, burgers and ice cream cones with sprinkles.

Carry your craft across Peconic Avenue and paddle on the Peconic Bay and into the bird sanctuary by the Route 105 bridge. Paddle farther east and explore the creeks behind Iron Point and by Indian Island County Park. Stop and swim at three nice beaches.

Lobster for lunch or dinner? Park one car at Manna on Inlet Road, Southampton. Drive to Riverhead, to the Peconic Avenue put-in. Paddle to Manna for scallops, clams, oysters, lobster and a margarita while gazing out at a beautiful water view.

Good food and beautiful sunsets at Dockers, East Quogue. Park by Library Avenue Marina in Westhampton Beach and paddle east to Dockers. Bring dry clothes in a waterproof bag. Check tides before this trip: Paddling in Quogue Canal against the current can be challenging. Hundreds of birds nest in the wetlands west of the restaurant.

At the beach, you see adult and “teenage” seagulls. Have you ever seen baby seagulls? You can see them from day one on the east side of Warner Island 100 yards east of Ponquogue Bridge starting around June 20. Please use binoculars.

Circumnavigate Shinnecock Bay counterclockwise by kayak. Start by the old bridge. Be careful of whirlpools left by fishing trawlers leaving the marina and currents by Shinnecock Inlet. Many clams live in that water. Stop for an early dinner at Edgewater.

Pizza/beer challenge: Paddle from Orient Point to Riverhead in less than 10 hours, and I will buy you pizza and beer and drive you back to Orient Point. As far as we know, only three people have ever done this trip. It took me 8½ hours.

Red Creek Pond off Red Creek Road in Hampton Bays is beautiful. It’s a good place to practice paddling skills, especially stand-up paddling. It’s usually not windy. The water is clean and shallow. You can circumnavigate it in less than an hour. There is access to Peconic Bay, if you desire. It’s fun to paddle from Red Creek Pond to Riverhead.

Put in at Cedar Point Avenue in Noyac. Explore Morton Wildlife Refuge. Paddle along Long Beach and into Sag Harbor. See a beautiful sunset from Long Beach.

Mattituck Creek is fun to paddle. It has many branches. Park at the Department of Environmental Conservation launch site/parking lot. Paddle the whole shoreline from Long Island Sound to Route 48.

Please, always wear a personal flotation device. Use a leash while SUP-ing or prone paddling. SUP blades should be bent forward. Rotate your upper body when paddling; don’t pull the paddle with your arms. Use interval paddling to increase stamina and speed. Practice kayak rescue skills.

Contact me for paddling tips and best paddling locations at jim@longislandpaddling.com or 631-834-2525.

Have fun!