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Long Island is known for its seamless stretch of neighborhoods, all connected by parkways, side streets, and backroads. But, there are a select number of communities that feel entirely separate. These hidden destinations are places you can only reach by crossing a bridge or, in some cases, by boat.
March 31st, 2026
Written by Emma Behrens
Long Island's Most Exclusive Communities: Only Accessible by Bridge or Boat
A Guide to Long Island's Hidden, Hard-to-Reach Neighborhoods
Long Island is known for its seamless stretch of neighborhoods, all connected by parkways, side streets, and backroads. But, there are a select number of communities that feel entirely separate. These hidden destinations are places you can only reach by crossing a bridge or, in some cases, by boat.
BAYVILLE
On the North Shore, Bayville stands out as one of the only true bridge-dependent communities. Connected to the mainland by a single drawbridge, Bayville, and the surrounding peninsula including Centre Island, Mill Neck, and Lattingtown, offers a tucked-away coastal feel. The limited access gives these areas a quiet, private atmosphere that feels worlds away from the rest of Nassau County.
347 Bayville Avenue, Bayville, NY 11709
7 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom 2,952 sq ft
Active: $2,088,888
Located on Long Island's North Shore just 500 feet from a pristine private beach with unobstructed views of the Long Island Sound, this unique vacation residence in the Historic Village of Bayville features four separate homes on one parcel, totaling 7 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms - perfect for a vacation retreat or rental cottages.
LONG BEACH
On the South Shore, towns including Long Beach, Atlantic Beach, Lido Beach, and Point Lookout are located on a narrow strip of land between the ocean and the bay. To get there, residents and visitors must cross bridges such as the Loop Parkway or Long Beach Bridge.
853 W Park Avenue, Long Beach, NY 11561
5 Bedroom, 5.5 Bathroom 7,000 sq ft
Active: $5,998,867
Experience unparalleled bayfront living at 853 W Park Avenue with panoramic views from the incredible rooftop Trex deck and a generous 63x145 waterfront expanse with a dock, a floating dock, and jet ski ramps with exclusive private docking rights. Enjoy breathtaking views of Reynolds Channel on one of the most expansive bayfront properties!
FIRE ISLAND
Further east, the Fire Island Bridge reaches areas like Gilgo Beach, Oak Beach, and Captree, which are connected by long stretches of parkways and causeways over the water. Long Islanders are also able to walk to Fire Island from Field 5 at Robert Moses. With neighborhoods like Ocean Beach, Kismet, and Fair Harbor, Fire Island is mostly accessible by ferry or boat. With little to no car traffic, boardwalks instead of roads, and a completely different pace of life, it offers a true escape.
165 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach, NY 11770
5 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom 2,000 sq ft
Active: $2,999,000
Elevated 11.5 feet on Pearson fiberglass pilings and boasting 50 feet of bulkhead, 165 Bay Walk features wraparound ironwood decks providing the perfect stage for sunrises and sunsets from every angle and panoramic vistas of the Great South Bay. Complete with a private master suite with a Bayfront Juliet balcony for stunning water views, two bay-facing bedrooms and a custom steam room for a luxurious spa-like touch.
HAMPTONS
Out east, the Westhampton and Dune Road stretch offers a more elevated version of this same concept. Communities along Dune Road are only accessible from the Ponquogue Bridge, creating a narrow, exclusive strip of oceanfront homes with water on both sides. It's one of the most unique living experiences on Long Island.
617 Dune Road, Westhampton, NY 11978
4 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom 3,000 sq ft
Active: $8,499,000
This jetty-protected 0.95 acre oceanfront Post-Modern property is set along the coveted Dune Road, featuring bedroom suites with private balconies overlooking the ocean, private walkway with direct access to the beach and a rare right-of-way to the bay.
SHELTER ISLAND
Some Long Island communities take exclusivity even further... Shelter Island, located between the North and South Forks, is also only reachable by boat. Known for its understated luxury and natural beauty, it has long been a quiet alternative to the Hamptons.
42 Prospect Avenue + Part 23 Serpentine Drive, Shelter Island, NY 11964
3 Bedroom, 3.5 Bathroom 4,133 sq ft
Active: $7,950,000
Positioned at 162 feet above sea level on "Divinity Hill" in Shelter Island Heights, "Treetops" is a landmark AIA Archi Award-winning modern residence based on an original design by Peter Schladermundt and brought to its current form by noted architect Frederick Stelle. Seated on one of the island's highest natural elevations, it features a dramatic pavilion wrapped in 9-foot floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a sculptural bluestone staircase and 19-foot acid-etched glass windows. This private retreat offers a covered rooftop terrace, steam shower, soaking tub, a Scandinavian propane stove and a 57-foot heated freeform Gunite pool bordered by Arizona buff stone.
FISHERS ISLAND
Even more remote is Fishers Island, accessible primarily by ferry from Connecticut. With its limited access and tight-knit community, it remains one of Long Island's most private destinations.
Located off the eastern tip of Long Island, New York, is actually closer to Connecticut than to mainland New York, giving it a unique geographic identity. The island is about 9 miles long but only about a mile wide, and it remains relatively quiet and uncrowded compared to other coastal destinations. It was once owned largely by the Fish family, whose name the island still carries today. Fishers Island is also known for its exclusive private clubs and scenic golf courses, including one consistently ranked among the best in the United States. Despite its small population, the island has a rich maritime history and offers striking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound.
1635 Isabella Beach Road, Fishers Island, NY 06390
5 Bedroom, 5 Bathroom 5,283 sq ft
Sold: $6,000,000
It isn't too frequently that houses go up for sale on Fishers Island; this is the more recent sales on the island. Designed by Mark Denton and built by HP Broom in 1998, this year-round 4.7 acres sweeping estate with a guest cottage provides access to a private beach and beautiful Isabella Beach with 665 feet of frontage on Block Island Sound.
In total, Long Island has a relatively small number of communities where access itself defines the lifestyle.
What makes these areas so desirable isn't just the location, it's the feeling. Fewer entry points often mean less traffic, quieter streets, and a greater sense of privacy. For buyers, it offers the rare opportunity to feel completely removed, while still being within reach of New York City.
At Iaquinta Real Estate, we understand that where you live is about more than just the home, it's about how it feels to get there.