Is snorkel gear included on every charter?

Yes. Masks and fins are aboard every charter. You can also bring your own mask and fins.

What will I see snorkeling in the Hamptons?

Expect eelgrass, crabs, small fish, and shells in shallow water. Clarity changes day to day, and calm days are clearest. It's a nature swim, not a reef dive.

What water will we snorkel in?

Mostly the protected bays of the Peconic Estuary, between Long Island's North and South Forks. Sag Harbor sits on this bay side, not on the Atlantic. The bays are calmer than the ocean, which is why they work for snorkeling.

Can we swim and explore near Montauk?

Montauk trips are possible. Charters around Shelter Island are covered by our local fuel rate. Montauk is more than 25 miles away and adds a fuel charge, so ask when you book.

Is it safe for kids to snorkel?

Yes, with a life jacket and short sessions. On boats 65 feet and under, children under 12 must wear a life jacket unless they're in an enclosed cabin. An adult should stay close in the water.

Snorkeling Hamptons | Snorkel From a Private Yacht

Let's be straight about snorkeling here. The bays around Sag Harbor aren't the Caribbean. You won't find coral reefs. But the water is clearer than many people expect. The Peconic Estuary Partnership measures water clarity every season. Clarity gets better from west to east, and Sag Harbor sits in the eastern half of the estuary. Spring and fall are usually the clearest times of year.

So why snorkel? Because the bays are full of life if you know where to look. Eelgrass beds, crabs, schools of small fish, and shells all sit in shallow water close to shore. From a boat, you can reach spots that are hard to get to from land.

Snorkeling gear is on every charter

Snorkeling is available on all of our charters. Gear is aboard, or you can bring your own mask and fins if you prefer ones that already fit.

How your captain picks the spot

Clear water comes down to calm water. Wind stirs up the bottom and clouds the view. Your captain checks the wind before you leave and heads for a cove with shelter on that side.

Local divers use the shallows of Gardiners Bay. Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton is one known dive area, with easy water in Northwest Harbor and depths up to 35 feet near the lighthouse.

The diver flag rule

New York has a rule that protects snorkelers. When a diver flag is flying, other boats must stay at least 100 feet away. Snorkelers should stay within 100 feet of the flag. Either way, stay close to the boat while you're in the water.

Water temperature

Bay water near Sag Harbor averages about 70 to 72 degrees from July through September. Kids tend to get cold faster than adults, so short sessions with breaks in the sun work best.

Who it works for

It suits all ages. You should be comfortable in water over your head, or wear a life jacket while you float face down. On boats 65 feet and under, New York requires children under 12 to wear a life jacket unless they're in an enclosed cabin. We carry child sizes. A float like our Sunchill lily pad gives tired swimmers a place to rest right beside the boat.

It fits into any 4-hour charter. Many groups snorkel for half an hour and then switch to paddleboards or the lily pad. See every toy we carry on our watersports and water toys page It's one more way to fill a day on our luxury yacht charters.

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Snorkeling Excursions in the Hamptons From a Private Yacht