Active Pursuits

Many savvy anglers come to Long Island to fish, eschewing more famous places such as Andros and Bimini. The secret of good fishing here: the major North Equatorial Current, which originates in the Canary Islands and washes Long Island's shores. The current transports huge schools of blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, rainbow runners, yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and dolphinfish. Wahoo is best hunted from September through November. Catches weigh from 4.5 to 41kg (10-90 lb.), and some yellowfin have weighed up to 68kg (150 lb.). The small blackfin tuna (July-Dec) weigh from 4.5 to 14kg (10-31 lb.). In addition, there are miles worth of reef fishing, with hundreds of species including snapper or grouper that have been known to weigh 45kg (99 lb.). A jewfish caught here weighed 226kg (498 lb.). In-shore fishing for bonefish is also possible.

Though there are no watersports outfitters on Long Island, the two major resorts, Stella Maris Resort Club and Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, fill the void and offer more watersports than you can do in a week. Bonefishing goes at a rate of US$500 per day for up to two people; reef fishing costs from US$500 per day for up to six people; and deep-sea fishing is US$800 per day for up to six people.

Snorkeling off the beach is complimentary at both resorts. However, boat excursions can be as little as US$15 per hour at Cape Santa Maria; on Wednesday and Saturday, these trips are complimentary at Stella Maris. Both resorts offer scuba diving at a cost of US$75 to US$110 per person per day, with equipment rentals ranging from US$10 to US$50. Both also offer kayaks, windsurfers, and bicycles. Cape Santa Maria has Hobie Cats and boogie boards, too.