http://newind.org/viewtopic.php?t=140 Napeague Bay is a small bay and gets great wind, thus it works well for all skill levels. Because the bay is shallow and mostly enclosed, it is especially good for teaching and for beginners who are honing their high wind skills. (To this end, we hear that someone offers instruction and rentals throughout the summer. Unfortunately, have no more information than this at the current time.)

The Napeague launch is at the end of a dirt road. Parking permit sticker required year-round for non-East Hampton residents. You can purchase a nonresident sticker at the East Hampton Town Hall (631-324-4142) for $125. If you have a trailer, or for a lower cost approach, you can get a launch sticker and park at the launching ramps for $50 a season. The alternative to getting a sticker is a $125 parking ticket -- which we hear is a certainty since the town tickets aggressively. Some sailors suggest dropping off your gear, then parking behind the signs and walking to the water.

Exactly where you can park without a sticker is unclear (as the signs come and go). The consensus is that parking behind the white post, sign or no sign, is a safe bet. In addition to the ambiguity of where you can legally park, there have been some cases of vandalism to cars parked outside the sticker-only area. According to the Harbor Master of Napeague Bay, "There are no windsurfing restrictions." Please let us know if you find this to be false. Southampton beaches on Mecox bay and Great Peconic Bay offer alternative locations. Parking at Southampton beaches also requires a sticker which is $150 a year. Call 516-283-2800 for info on parking restrictions.

Certain spots along the NY/NJ shore (including Plumb Beach/NY, Napeague/NY, and Sandy Hook/NJ) make the NY/NJ shore among the top three consistently windiest areas on the east coast -- along with the leaders Cape Cod and Cape Hatteras. Great wind and flat water, so works well for all skill levels. Shallow and mostly enclosed; Napeague is ideal for beginners. Non-East Hampton residents: read above parking restrictions!

Water: Flat to choppy water with a big shallow area.

Beach: Long sandy beach with lots of space.

Weather: Warm in summer, but gets cold in winter.

Wind:

North: onshore

Northwest: sideonshore

West: sideshore

Southwest: sideoffshore

South: offshore

Southeast: sideoffshore

East: sideshore

Northeast: sideonshore

The beach curves making SW and NE sideshore.

How to get there:

L.I.E to route 27 take it until you get to Ammaganset. Here follow signs to Napeague and get to the beach. Rules & Restrictions: Lots of private homes, be careful and don't litter.

Napeague Harbor/Bay: A great place experience. Big open bay of salt water. Parking for non residents is super tough. Local police answer the windsurfer complaints very quickly. Best to get a temporary east Hampton permit from town hall if you love the place. Warmer than the ocean in spring. Shallow for a great distance. South, Southeast, and of course south west is best. Iwindsurf has a meter here. Avoid on North winds, for some reason...its very gusty in these conditions.

Best Wind direction: Southwest

Direction: Take Montauk highway east out of Napeague. When you see the Art Barge ahead on your left, turn left. (The Art Barge is a big ugly double-deck stationary thing.) If your pass the Lobster Roll restaurant (their sign says "Lunch" in big letters), you've gone too far. If you're on the right road, you'll cross some railroad tracks within 100 yards and will drive along a marshy area full of reeds and cattails. You will be able to see the south end of Napeague Bay on your right as you drive.

Take that road to the end (~1 mile), and turn right at the stop sign. Go about 1/2 mile, and take the second right.

This road is about 1/2 mile long, and will dead end at the beach. You have three choices for parking:

- Buy an East Hampton permit (very expensive for non-residents )

- Just park and hope the police don't come around (they do )

- Dump your gear at the beach and park at the beginning of the road

Rules and regulations: Parking is by permit only.