Follow us

Spotlight – West of the Canal

The Shinnecock Canal, which first opened in 1892, is a man-made waterway that cuts through the South Fork in the eastern part of Hampton Bays, connecting the Great Peconic Bay to Shinnecock Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is both a geographical and cultural divide, separating the Hamptons into “east of the canal” from Shinnecock Hills out to Montauk and “west of the canal,” from Hampton Bays to West Hampton Dunes.” The Hamptons may evoke images of Southampton and East Hampton with their chic villages and gorgeous beaches, but hamlets west of the canal have equally beautiful beaches and cute towns.

Hampton Bays, also known as the “Boat Way to the Hamptons,” was settled in 1740 as “Good Ground,” along with 10 other hamlets. In 1922, they all joined together to become Hampton Bays. Enzo Morabito of Douglas Elliman Real Estate observes, “Hampton Bays is an up-and-coming treasure and the only hamlet with direct access to all Hamptons waterways – the Peconic Bay, Tiana Bay, Shinnecock Bay, the Shinnecock Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean. Commercial fishing is centered around the fishing station at Shinnecock Inlet.” Ponquogue Beach, the largest Southampton Town ocean beach, is just over the Ponquogue Bridge. “Rumba restaurant has a great waterfront deck and is a great meeting spot to catch a drink and a bite to eat,” says Craig Amodemo of Hampton Estates Realty.

Originally founded in 1673 as “Fourth Neck,” in 1891 the hamlet became East Quogue. “East Quogue has a cute ‘downtown’ Main Street,” remarks Marcia Altman of Brown Harris Stevens. Enzo adds, “East Quogue has a bit of a hometown feel with great mom-and-pop type stores on its Main Street. Sonny’s Prime Meats is an old-fashioned Italian butcher store and Roses and Rice florist offers beautiful gifts and knock-your-socks off flower arrangements.” Marcia exclaims, “Dockers and Stone Creek Inn are among the best restaurants west of the canal.” East Quogue also has a nice Village Green for summer concertgoers.

The Village of Quogue, founded in 1659, was incorporated in 1928. Its name was derived from the Native American word “Quaquanantuck.” Marcia reflects, “Quogue Village is sizzling. I live here and enjoy the small town feel, the anonymity, the Quogue Club and of course the beautiful Quogue Village Beach.” Enzo exclaims, “Quogue is really on fire now. You can get so much more for your money, the taxes are low, and the Village beach is like having a private club at your doorstep.” Craig agrees, “Quogue Village is the hottest area right now, especially South of the Highway.” He adds, “The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a tranquil place to go for a walk and see some rescued animals.”
Quiogue, meaning “Little Quogue,” named by Native Americans who inhabited the area about 350 years ago, is a small hamlet between Quogue and Westhampton Beach on Quantuck Bay. It was designated a “Hamlet Heritage Area” by the Town of Southampton due to its many historic homes built between 1750 and the mid-1900s.

Considered the “First Hampton,” The Village of Westhampton Beach, settled in 1666 as “Ketchabonack,” was incorporated in 1928. “Westhampton Beach is a family-oriented, true beach town. On summer nights you can stroll Main Street after seeing world-class talent at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, listening to music coming from the Beach Bakery, and enjoying an ice cream cone. It’s old-fashioned but hip,” according to Enzo. Marcia believes, “The best shopping is in Westhampton Beach and the best restaurant in town is Starr Boggs.” Craig enjoys, “Goldberg’s bagels, Baby Moon, the Village Green, and the Farmer’s Market.” The Village of Westhampton Beach has two ocean beaches for residents/renters only, Lashley Beach and Rogers Beach. The Westhampton Beach Farmers’ Market with over 40 vendors is the largest farmers’ market on the East End.

Remsenburg, named after a prominent resident, Charles Remsen in 1895 is perhaps the less known hamlet west of the canal. Enzo says, “Remsenburg reminds me of New England with its quaintness and understated elegance.” Marcia observes, “There is an abundance of waterfront properties at great values.” It features a great yacht club called Westhampton Yacht Squadron.

West Hampton Dunes was incorporated in 1993. Enzo notes, “West Hampton Dunes features Cupsogue Beach County Park, a 296-acre barrier beach park at the most western tip of Dune Road. It offers lifeguard-supervised swimming, some of the finest saltwater bass fishing to be had on the Island, and permits campers and recreational vehicles.” Craig adds, “When in West Hampton Dunes, catch a lobster and live music at the Beach Hut at Cupsogue Beach.”

“What I like about being west of the canal,” Marcia reflects, “is the easy access to and from both NYC and points further east. At only a 90-minute drive from NYC, you can be here faster, enjoying your leisure time instead of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic coming and going every weekend.” Craig agrees, “It’s simple – no traffic. And homes can be purchased for a fraction of the cost than similar homes further east.” Enzo observes, “There is no doubt that some of the best values can be found west of the canal.”

The hamlets “west of the canal” offer as much beauty and excitement as out east. With miles of pristine beaches stretching along Dune Road, quiet bay beaches, and quaint villages with cute shops, fine dining, stellar entertainment, easy access, and better values, heading “west of the canal” is the perfect Hamptons getaway.

SHARE POST