East Setauket, NY Outdoor Activities

The man's smile stretches almost as wide as the giant striped bass in his right hand. A novice fisherman, he's snagged his very first catch aboard one of Celtic Quest Fishing's group boats. A crew member snaps a photograph of the triumphant moment. Although it depicts only a moment in time, that photo recounts a much larger story. The man can point to it when he tells friends how he grabbed hold of rod and reel, cast a line, and wrestled with a resilient foe—ultimately pulling the fish up onto the dock.

This sort of experience happens frequently aboard Celtic Quest Fishing's group-fishing boats, which can carry 70–100 people at a time. The company, founded by Port Jefferson native Captain Des O’Sullivan, maintains two of the giant vessels. They carry groups out in search of black fish, fluke, porgies, or any other species Poseidon sends out to defend his honor. Regardless of the targeted catch, Celtic Quest Fishing's expert crew members supply all necessary gear, and they happily teach newbies fishing basics.

The pulsing waves of the Atlantic Ocean rock boards, lulling riders into a state of reverie as salt-tinged air tousles their hair. Long Island natives and former lifeguards Johana and Billy fell in love with this sun-soaked state of meditation and now share it with others through tours, lessons, and rentals at Fire Island Kite & SUP. With origins in ancient Hawaii, standup paddleboarding offers a laid-back alternative to walking on water. Visitors skim over shallows teeming with fish, keeping eyes peeled for wildlife while slipping past towns such as Robbins Rest and Fair Harbor.

Kiteboarding, on the other hand, has its roots solidly in modern times and sates the cravings of adrenaline junkies. The sport blends the speed of windsurfing, the sweeping turns of snowboarding, and the gentle spray of being on Shamu's debate team. Under the eye of a certified instructor, gusts of wind fill sails and propel kiteboarders across the waters near East Island.

Typically, you can only see Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and Yankee Stadium in less than an hour while leafing through a stack of New York postcards. However, Zip Aviation confounds expectations, whisking tourists over those landmarks and more on one of three helicopter tours in 12–30 minutes. Helmed by a team of pilots with an impeccable safety record, the tours grant passengers a bird’s-eye view of the city aboard either their AStar or Bell helicopters, which have never once caused sea sickness. The aviation company complements its sightseeing excursions with an array of other transit services, including private charters and special-event transportation options.

The peaks of the Organ Mountains rise above the Mesilla Valley, framing the immaculate greenery of Sonoma Ranch Golf Course's 18-hole, 7,028-yard layout. Designed by internationally renowned course architect Cal Olson, the course unfurls across the valley floor with undulating fairways, encroaching water hazards, and sprawling bunkers that force players to build sandcastle trebuchets to rescue errant golf balls. A lengthy course when played from the back tees, the grassy monolith also challenges players' short game with massive, bentgrass greens peppered with hard-to-read breaks. Clubbers can prepare for their pin-hunting voyage with a stint at the driving range or practice green, or stare down the treacherous fairways over a tasty nosh at the Sunset Grill, which overlooks the scenic expanse.

Course at a Glance:

• Designed by Cal Olson
• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Bentgrass greens
• Length of 7,028 yards from the farthest tees
• Course rating of 72.1 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 120 from the farthest tees
• Three tee options