North Atlantic Canoe & Kayak

NACK Paddlers visit Old Inlet Fire Island National Seashore

There is a place on Fire Island in the wilderness area of the National Seashore called Old Inlet.  It lies just about 2 miles west of the Ranger Station at Smith Point.  The reference to old inlet comes from the fact that many years ago there was an inlet at that point.  It fed water from the Atlantic Ocean into Bellport Bay on every tidal exchange.

In October of 2012  superstorm Sandy turned the Old Inlet area into “New” Inlet.  NACK paddlers have visited the area several times since the storm.  This past Thursday, despite strong winds and overcast skies they again ventured out.

Smith Point Trip GPS Track

From the east side of the inlet you can see the tops of the waves being blown off by the brisk North East wind
From the east side of the inlet you can see the tops of the waves being blown off by the brisk North East wind
All that remains of the Old Inlet Dock and Boardwalk sits in the middle of the inlet. In the background Pelican Island and the Clubhouse are gone.
The Old Inlet Dock and Boardwalk sits in the middle of the inlet. In the background Pelican Island is gone.
Waves crash the western shore of the inlet that is nowseveral hundred yards wide.
Waves crash the western shore of the inlet that is now several hundred yards wide.
The inlet from the air.Photo: Great South Bay Project Stony Brook University
The inlet from the ocean.. Pelican Island, the clubhouse and dock are visible at top center.                                                 Great South Bay Project Photo Stony Brook University

Standing on the shore one can only imagine the fury of the storm that broke through Fire Island to permit the Atlantic to reclaim it’s access to the Great South Bay.

nackayak

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One response to “NACK Paddlers visit Old Inlet Fire Island National Seashore”

  1. Steve,

    Great pictures and write-up, thanks for explaining and showing it so well.

    Bob H