If you boat in eastern Long Island, Fort Pond Bay in Montauk is a terrific anchorage. It has breathtaking views of the bluffs and of Montauk, making this an enjoyable place to spend the day. Located just west of Lake Montauk and east of Hither Hills State Park, Fort Pond Bay is easily reachable if you are boating from points east of Shelter Island. The entrance to the bay is just opposite Gardiners Island in Napeaque Bay.

There’s plenty of deep water, but be careful getting too close to the shore. While there are no facilities here, you can take your inflatable and visit the town park and the hiking trail. Facilities are just east at Lake Montauk.

Fort Pond Bay boasts a bonus for divers and snorkelers. At the east side entrance is Culloden Point, where the H.M.S. Culloden, an English frigate that sank in 1871, resides just about 150 feet off shore.

Photo by Susan Rydell