Montauk Travel Guide

Montauk is a small village at the east end of the Long Island in New York. It’s best known for its sandy beaches and great surfing conditions.

Things to Do in Montauk

Top things to do include visiting the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1795, and exploring the Camp Hero State Park, which was a former military base with preserved WWII bunkers.

The best beach to visit is Ditch Plains Beach, which gets hit by strong winds from the Atlantic Ocean and is the perfect place to surf, or learn to surf. Other great beaches include beaches in the Montauk State Park and beaches in the Hither Hill State Park.

Best Time to Visit Montauk

The best time to visit Montauk is during the summer months of June, July and August, when the weather is hot and sunny.

A Local's Guide to Montauk Vacation Rentals

Recently, Montauk has transformed into one of the best summertime escapes on the East Coast. There are a huge range of rentals in Montauk, making it the perfect spot for a weekend away from the nearby New York City, or even further afield. Although only around 3,000 people live in Montauk permanently, in summer the streets are flooded with people looking to have a great time on the white beaches, wine tasting, savor the food scene, and venture on the miles of hiking trails.

Montauk harbor is proud to claim that it is the fishing capital of the world, and is home to some of the best sports-fishing on the East coast. There are a range of fish in this area of the water, both offshore and inside, including shark, tuna, marlin, striped bass, fluke and many others. As a National Historic Site, the Montauk Point Lighthouse offers incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean, and will provide a great day trip from your vacation home. Climb the 137 steps to the top, tour the grounds and pop into the visitor center while you're here.

The beaches are also some of the best in the area, and you will find no development here. Many of the beaches are simply backed by rolling sand dunes, while others are backed with impressive cliff faces, some of which tower at 70 foot high. There are a few beaches worth checking out, including Ditch Plains Beach. This beach is popular with surfers, as the long break makes it a hot spot for newbies and professionals alike. You will find many families enjoying the sands on Gin Beach, with gentle waters and powder-soft sands. For a new town beach, head to Fort Pond Bay, located around the bay. Fort Pond Bay beach is also a favorite spot to launch boats and kayaks into the waters. Beach houses and rental homes near the coastline are a popular choice for vacationers, as you can wake up to stunning sea views. Find the perfect house rental by taking a look at the huge range the town offers all year round.

As well as water and beaches, Montauk NY is also surrounded by wooded trails and paths that let you truly experience the nature in the area. The Shadmore State Park is a 99-acre plot of land, with cliffs that plunge dramatically done onto the pebbly beach below. Much of the land is freshwater wetlands, with trails around the area offering an easy walk. Another great location is Hither Hills State Park, which boasts two-and-a-half miles of Atlantic Ocean Beach, plus many hiking trails and activities which include swimming and saltwater fishing. Kirk Park is considerably smaller than the other two parks. It is here that Fort Pond is located, the second largest freshwater lake on Long Island.

Despite the long coastline, Montauk is by no means just a beach and water sports location. It is home to one of the best public golf courses in the US, the Montauk Downs. The state park has 18 holes and if that's not enough, there is also a driving range, putting green and Pro shop, with many people booking vacation rentals in Montauk for the golfing facilities alone.