When it comes to boating, the Empire State has much to offer. New York is home to more than 2,600 miles of coastline, two Great Lakes, some of the most iconic and recognizable on-water skylines in the world, and an incredibly diverse, incredibly productive saltwater environment.
Whether your take on a boat day involves looking at the Statue of Liberty or chasing striped bass and eating lobster, New York has something for everybody. Here is a list of our favorite boating destinations.
Lake George, the Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are home to stunning natural beauty. The wild landscapes of this region inspired a young Teddy Roosevelt-- a man who would conserve some 230 million acres of
public land and create five national parks during his presidency.
Lake George, in the Adirondacks, is a wonderful place. Known as “Queen of American Lakes,” its waters are crystal clear. It is ranked among the cleanest large lakes in the US, and its visibility reaches 30 feet in places.
Lake George’s visitor experiences are diverse and plentiful. Spend a day anchored in front
of a sandy beach, check out any of the lake’s many islands, enjoy a nature cruise or grab lunch or dinner at one of the lake’s many waterfront restaurants. If you visit in the fall, the woods may be ablaze with changing colors of the leaves.
Montauk, Long Island
Situated on the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk is home to a world-class combination of inshore and offshore fishing. The fishing and seafood heritage of the place are steeped in tradition. In fact, longtime Montauk charter captain Frank Mundus is said to have been the inspiration for Captain Quint, the captain in the book and movie Jaws.
Inshore, the waters around Montauk—Block Island Sound and Long Island Sound—are one of the best striped bass fisheries you’ll find anywhere. There are also plenty of bluefish, fluke, and black seabass.
Venturing offshore, you’ll run past some of the most productive and storied bluefin tuna territory on the East Coast. A bit further offshore, 90 to 120 miles, you’ll find deepwater canyons. Canyon fishing is typically an overnight (or multi-day) affair.
The canyons are home to swordfish, bigeye tuna, yellowfin, albacore, and more. Coming or going, or trolling in the daytime, you may encounter white or blue marlin and the occasional mahi-mahi.
Sometimes called the Gateway to New England, Montauk is a bucket-list destination for many traveling offshore fishermen. The place has a charm all its own.
Thousand Islands, the St. Lawrence River
The Thousand Islands region is a group of islands on the St. Lawrence seaway. Sitting at the northeastern aspect of Lake Ontario, the southern shore of the river is America, the northern Canada.
A boat day here can include all manner of excitement. In addition to taking in natural beauty, you can cruise by lakefront mansions, historic lighthouses, even waterfront castles.
The history of the place—full of stories of titans of industry, bootleggers, and secret societies—is as interesting as the on-water recreation is varied. From smallmouth fishing to seaway cruises, there’s a reason why the 1,800 islands of the 1,000 Islands region of New York have been attracting boaters for generations.
New York Harbor
One of the largest natural harbors in the world, New York Harbor is home to one of the most recognizable skylines in the world. Taking your boat to New York Harbor is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the skyline of the city.
That said, this is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The number of high-speed ferries, tugs, and large commercial ships can be intimidating.
Make sure that you have the boat for it (ships throw wake), know the rules of right of way, be mindful of security zones, and ensure that you carry New York’s requisite boating safety certificate. While it may require an extra bit of research on the front end, the ability to take in the sights of New York Harbor on your terms, from the comfort of your own boat, may well be something that your family will be talking about for a long time.
Lake Erie
New York is home to roughly 50 miles of Lake Erie coastline. If you are after smallmouth bass, this region ranks among not only the best bets in the state, but perhaps in the US.
Anglers head to this part of the world for numbers and size. Targeting rocky structures and drop-offs, a good day of smallmouth fishing here may produce plenty of smallmouth in the two- to four-pound range.
Hit it right and you’ve got a realistic chance to see a five- or six-pounder. In fact, the previous New York state record smallmouth, a fish of 8 pounds 4 ounces, came from right here.
If you’re fishing in this part of the world, you’ll be close enough to Buffalo to take in Niagara Falls. While you can’t take your own boat to the base of the falls, there are plenty of tourist operations that can take you… And it’s certainly worth a visit.
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Whether your take on a boat day involves looking at the Statue of Liberty or chasing striped bass and eating lobster, New York has something for everybody. Here is a list of our favorite boating destinations.
Lake George, the Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are home to stunning natural beauty. The wild landscapes of this region inspired a young Teddy Roosevelt-- a man who would conserve some 230 million acres of
public land and create five national parks during his presidency.
Lake George, in the Adirondacks, is a wonderful place. Known as “Queen of American Lakes,” its waters are crystal clear. It is ranked among the cleanest large lakes in the US, and its visibility reaches 30 feet in places.
Lake George’s visitor experiences are diverse and plentiful. Spend a day anchored in front
of a sandy beach, check out any of the lake’s many islands, enjoy a nature cruise or grab lunch or dinner at one of the lake’s many waterfront restaurants. If you visit in the fall, the woods may be ablaze with changing colors of the leaves.
Montauk, Long Island
Situated on the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk is home to a world-class combination of inshore and offshore fishing. The fishing and seafood heritage of the place are steeped in tradition. In fact, longtime Montauk charter captain Frank Mundus is said to have been the inspiration for Captain Quint, the captain in the book and movie Jaws.
Inshore, the waters around Montauk—Block Island Sound and Long Island Sound—are one of the best striped bass fisheries you’ll find anywhere. There are also plenty of bluefish, fluke, and black seabass.
Venturing offshore, you’ll run past some of the most productive and storied bluefin tuna territory on the East Coast. A bit further offshore, 90 to 120 miles, you’ll find deepwater canyons. Canyon fishing is typically an overnight (or multi-day) affair.
The canyons are home to swordfish, bigeye tuna, yellowfin, albacore, and more. Coming or going, or trolling in the daytime, you may encounter white or blue marlin and the occasional mahi-mahi.
Sometimes called the Gateway to New England, Montauk is a bucket-list destination for many traveling offshore fishermen. The place has a charm all its own.
Thousand Islands, the St. Lawrence River
The Thousand Islands region is a group of islands on the St. Lawrence seaway. Sitting at the northeastern aspect of Lake Ontario, the southern shore of the river is America, the northern Canada.
A boat day here can include all manner of excitement. In addition to taking in natural beauty, you can cruise by lakefront mansions, historic lighthouses, even waterfront castles.
The history of the place—full of stories of titans of industry, bootleggers, and secret societies—is as interesting as the on-water recreation is varied. From smallmouth fishing to seaway cruises, there’s a reason why the 1,800 islands of the 1,000 Islands region of New York have been attracting boaters for generations.
New York Harbor
One of the largest natural harbors in the world, New York Harbor is home to one of the most recognizable skylines in the world. Taking your boat to New York Harbor is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the skyline of the city.
That said, this is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The number of high-speed ferries, tugs, and large commercial ships can be intimidating.
Make sure that you have the boat for it (ships throw wake), know the rules of right of way, be mindful of security zones, and ensure that you carry New York’s requisite boating safety certificate. While it may require an extra bit of research on the front end, the ability to take in the sights of New York Harbor on your terms, from the comfort of your own boat, may well be something that your family will be talking about for a long time.
Lake Erie
New York is home to roughly 50 miles of Lake Erie coastline. If you are after smallmouth bass, this region ranks among not only the best bets in the state, but perhaps in the US.
Anglers head to this part of the world for numbers and size. Targeting rocky structures and drop-offs, a good day of smallmouth fishing here may produce plenty of smallmouth in the two- to four-pound range.
Hit it right and you’ve got a realistic chance to see a five- or six-pounder. In fact, the previous New York state record smallmouth, a fish of 8 pounds 4 ounces, came from right here.
If you’re fishing in this part of the world, you’ll be close enough to Buffalo to take in Niagara Falls. While you can’t take your own boat to the base of the falls, there are plenty of tourist operations that can take you… And it’s certainly worth a visit.
Back to Blue Life