Arriving at the Mattituck Inlet
Service and Smiles at Strong's Water Club
We’d only heard good things from our Essex, Connecticut dockmates about boating across Long Island Sound to Mattituck, Long Island, NY. Aside from the seabirds and natural beauty of the meandering Mattituck Creek, our marina destination – Strong’s Water Club – offers a warm, inviting transient option in a country club-like setting.
Given fair weather, it’s a quick trip across the Long Island Sound to the North Fork – about an hour for us from the Connecticut river to the mouth of the Mattituck Inlet on a beautiful day.
“Really, here?” That’s what I said to Captain Mark upon our arrival at the Inlet. The entrance is quite unassuming, and can be narrow and shallow, especially at low tide. But that was indeed part of this adventure. The inlet and the canal into Mattituck Creek is strictly no-wake, and is a curvy, shoaly ride. Just take it slow and follow all posted markers and buoys carefully.
The depth of the basins within Mattituck range from around 4.7 to 7 feet, though specific depths can vary. Still, you’ll see plenty of large power boats, fishing boats and trawlers cruising and working the creek.
Take your time, and take in the wildlife. It's an osprey extravaganza! Mattituck Creek has some of the highest density of osprey nests on Long Island, and a mesmerizing array of salt marsh-loving birds.
Service and Smiles at Strong's Water Club
Service and Smiles at Strong's Water Club
A short, leisurely no-wake ride through the inlet and we arrived at Strong’s Water Club, a 9-acre summer paradise for boaters and local visitors alike. From our first hail of the marina they were friendly and helpful. Through confirmation emails and by radio, they caution captains to follow their map around the Federal Anchorage buoy to avoid a sandy shoal in the waters adjacent to the property.
A happier cast and crew is hard to find! And that includes the boaters, because there's a lot to love at Strong’s: Upscale restrooms and showers, a junior Olympic swimming pool, a peaceful, manicured park-like setting, a fantastic on-site restaurant (dogs welcome outside), live music on main-season weekends (or more often!) and a short walk to town.
You can reserve a slip at Strong’s Water Club on Dockwa. Or call VHS Channel 9 or 631-400-3037 for availability and docking instructions.
The Biggest Little Street in Mattituck
The Biggest Little Street in Mattituck
If you want to venture off-campus, it’s less than a mile to Love Lane, a quaint street with a lot to offer. From delis to donuts, wine tasting, international goodies to sweets and boutiques, it’s an easy excursion for souvenirs and provisions.
We had our dog Ozzy so were a bit limited in terms of dining options, but had a terrific lunch on the patio at Love Lane Kitchen. I also popped in to read the sandwich selections at Ammirati’s of Love Lane, and wished there was more time for more meals! Check out their creations.
Back at Strong's, though, you can also enjoy creative, fresh cuisine at Windamere, where we could sit on the patio with Ozzy overlooking the rolling lawns and the sunset. There's also an outdoor bar and music in-season. (I also discovered Summer in a Bottle here, now one of my favorite wines!)
