Paddling Long Island and New York City. Kevin Stiegelmaier

       OVERVIEW Ask any group of paddlers on Long Island to name their favorite place to paddle, and, if they’ve ever been there, most of them will say Accabonac Harbor. And rightly so. This small harbor has a lot that makes it such a special place.

      First and foremost are its miles of undeveloped shoreline. Though just a short distance from the heart of East Hampton, in a fairly populated part of town known as Springs, Accabonac somehow has managed to evade extensive development. Instead of encountering large waterfront homes replete with Adirondack chairs, barbecues, and boats tied up at docks, visitors to the harbor are greeted by an extensive salt-marsh ecosystem, complete with the usual wildlife species that call such areas home. Accabonac’s serene waters flow along low-lying grassy islands, through strands of spartina marsh, and within the mazes of channels in between. The beautiful sandy beaches separating the harbor from the bay are perfect for a short rest, a quick swim, or a long and lazy picnic lunch.

      But none of the features that make the harbor so amazing would mean anything if it were inaccessible to paddlers. Thankfully, this is not the case, as two excellent launch sites exist at the end of Landing Lane and Shipyard Lane, respectively. Although neither location boasts more than a safe place to launch a kayak and parking spaces for a handful of cars, both put you on the water—in the southern portion of the harbor—primed and ready to paddle. So while not just anyone can be considered a “Bonacker,” as a local is affectionately known, everyone can—and should—come and experience Accabonac Harbor for themselves.

      USGS Quadrangles

      GARDINERS ISLAND WEST (NY),

      GARDINERS ISLAND EAST (NY)

      Landing Lane to Cartwright Island and Back

      1 DESCRIPTION The beauty of Accabonac Harbor is obvious, even if you’re just sitting on the beach at the end of Landing Lane. From here, only a small cluster of homes is visible in the distance, with an amazingly vast salt marsh spreading out everywhere in between. Though breathtaking from the sand, this view should be enough to make you jump into your boat as quickly as possible and hit the water.

      Once you’ve launched,