You’re driving over that massive bridge, the one that makes your stomach drop just a little as you see the Great South Bay sparkling on both sides. Most people have their GPS set for Field 5. They want the lighthouse. They want the playground. They want the "scene." But if you’re actually looking for the best day on the sand, you’re probably overshooting the mark. Honestly, Robert Moses Field 2 is the play. It’s the westernmost parking lot at the park, and it’s basically the gatekeeper to Democrat Point.
It’s quieter.
While the crowds at the other fields are fighting for a square inch of sand to plant their umbrellas, Field 2 usually has breathing room. You’ve got the 18-hole pitch-and-putt golf course right there, which gives the whole area a weirdly green, suburban-meets-salt-air vibe that you just don't get at Jones Beach or the other Fire Island spots. It’s low-key.
Why Field 2 is Different (The Basics)
Let’s be real: parking at a Long Island beach is usually a nightmare. At Robert Moses, the fields are numbered 2, 3, 4, and 5 (Field 1 exists but it's not a public swimming beach in the same way). Field 2 is the first one you hit if you take the right fork at the end of the causeway. It’s the "locals' choice" for a reason.
The walk from the car to the water is shorter here than at Field 5, where you have to hike past the playground and through a gauntlet of families. At Field 2, you grab your cooler, walk through the bathhouse, and you’re there. The parking fee is the standard $10—or free if you’ve got the Empire Pass—but the "hidden cost" is really just the extra five minutes of driving to get to this end of the island.
The Golf Course and Volleyball Scene
There’s an 18-hole pitch-and-putt course sitting right in the middle of the dunes. It’s not Pebble Beach. Don’t bring your $500 driver. It’s a scrappy, salt-sprayed course where you can play a round for about twenty bucks. It’s perfect for when you’re bored of tanning and need to move around.
Beside the golf course, you’ll find the volleyball courts. There are about 20 of them. On a Saturday in July, it’s like a scene from an 80s movie—sun-bleached hair, competitive serves, and a lot of sand in places it shouldn't be. If you’re a solo traveler or a couple looking for a social vibe without the "clubby" feel of Field 5, this is where you hang out.
Surfing and Fishing at Democrat Point
If you keep walking west from the Field 2 lifeguard stands, the beach changes. The crowds disappear. The dunes get taller. You’re heading toward Democrat Point. This is the holy grail for Long Island surfers.
The sandbars at Field 2 shift constantly. One year the waves are world-class; the next, it’s a total wash. But Democrat Point is consistent. It’s where the Fire Island Inlet meets the Atlantic, creating these wedging lefts and rights that pull in every bit of swell from the south.
- Surfing: It’s beginner-to-intermediate most of the time, but when a hurricane swell hits in September, it’s experts only.
- Fishing: This is prime surfcasting territory. Striped bass and bluefish love the currents in the inlet.
- 4x4 Access: You’ll see the big trucks with the massive tires lined up along the shore. You need a special permit for this, and they’re strict about it. Don't try to drive your Honda Civic onto the sand.
The Logistics Nobody Tells You
The bathrooms? They’re fine. Not great, not terrible. They’ve got outdoor showers to rinse off the salt, which is a lifesaver for the ride home. There is a concession stand, but honestly, it’s pretty basic. You’re looking at overpriced burgers and chicken fingers. Most regulars pack a Yeti full of sandwiches and drinks.
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One thing that’s kinda cool: Robert Moses Field 2 is one of the few places where you can still feel like you’re on a remote island while being 90 minutes from Manhattan. There are no houses here. No commercial buildings. Just the ocean, the dunes, and the occasional deer wandering out of the brush.
Is Field 2 Better than Field 5?
It depends on what you’re after. Field 5 is the "main" beach. It has the tunnel that leads to the Fire Island Lighthouse and eventually the town of Kismet. If you want to walk to a bar and grab a drink, go to 5.
But if you want to avoid the "club" atmosphere—where every third person is blasting a different Bluetooth speaker—Field 2 is your spot. It’s more family-oriented in a "let’s just dig a hole and read a book" kind of way. It’s also the better option if you’re planning to leave around 4:00 PM. Traffic at the Robert Moses circle can be brutal, and being at Field 2 gives you a slight head start on the exodus.
Actionable Advice for Your Trip
- Arrive early: On weekends, the lots fill up by 10:30 AM. If the sign says "Field 2 Full," you’re stuck driving to Jones Beach or heading home.
- Bring shade: There are no trees. Zero. If you don't bring a tent or an umbrella, you will be cooked by noon.
- Check the wind: A north wind is your best friend. It keeps the water flat and clear. A strong south wind brings in the "seaweed soup" and can make the water look like tea.
- Download the "NY State Parks" app: It gives you real-time updates on parking capacity so you don't waste gas driving to a closed lot.
Basically, Robert Moses Field 2 is for the people who want the beach, the whole beach, and nothing but the beach. It’s less about the "Gram" and more about the Atlantic. Just make sure you shake the sand out of your shoes before you get back in the car, or you'll be finding Fire Island grains in your floor mats until 2028.
Next steps: Pack your gear the night before. If you're planning to surf, check the swell report for "Robert Moses" on Surfline. If you're golfing, grab a few extra balls—the dunes eat them for breakfast.