hampton bays is technically a “hamlet” in the town of southampton. situated on two bays — the peconic and shinnecock — and the shinnecock Inlet, which links the bays to the atlantic ocean, it has an old-school, fishing village feel - like montauk in the old days. close to manhattan on the western edge of the Hamptons, hampton bays beaches are uncrowded and mostly unspoiled, with great surf and fishing.

restaurants are pretty chill in hampton bays. a few fancy “date night” spots in hampton bays and in southampton. lots of family-friendly options. we love the station bar, (pictured above) because it’s a “local” AND it’s just down the street from us (actually at the end of our shared canal.) great happy hours, live music and laid-back vibe.

the gorgeous hamptons ocean beaches are just two miles away, over the ponquogue bridge. ponquogue beach features daily parking, with the most public parking, and over 600 feet of ocean shoreline. facilities include lifeguard protection, restrooms, outdoor shower, food concession, large deck with picnic tables, beach volleyball courts, handicap beach access, beach wheelchair (when an attendant is on duty), 478 parking spaces on ocean side and an overflow of 84 parking spaces on the bay side. the other public parking is available at tiana beach pavilion, which is about 3.5 miles from us. while you can’t park at other beach entry points (like the K and L beaches also off dune road) you are welcome to walk along the ocean beaches as far as you’d like.

this party boat has cruised down our canal more than a few times and it’s almost as fun to watch as it would be to get on board!