When I feel like taking a last minute mini-vacation, and I need someplace that is affordable, stress free and only an hour away I love taking a ferry over to Shelter Island. If you are not familiar with Long Island than you're probably not familiar with the amazing smaller islands just off the coast. While some of the islands are land preserves, and private properties like Gardiners Island, Great Gull and Little Gull Islands, Plum Island and Robins Island, there are many that you can visit and explore such as Fire Island, Block Island and Shelter Island. When I was younger, I loved Fire Island. But now that I'm a bit older, I prefer the serenity of the beaches of West Hampton and the privacy of small town living on Shelter Island.
Keep reading to learn some of the perks, and to view some of the amazing landscapes when visiting Shelter Island.