Paddling Long Island and New York City. Kevin Stiegelmaier

       OVERVIEW Considered by many, including Albert Einstein, to be one of the most beautiful bodies of water anywhere, Cutchogue Harbor has long been appreciated by both its inhabitants and visitors alike. In fact, the Native Americans who first settled the area in 1000 BC called it Corchaug, or “The Principal Place.” The land and its abundance obviously meant a lot to these first settlers and their subsequent ancestors, who were motivated to build a large wooden fort to protect the area. Fort Corchaug did serve its original purpose quite well, for the Corchaug people continued living off the land for decades to come, hunting and fishing for what they needed to survive—that is, of course, until 1667, when Europeans arrived from nearby Southold looking to expand their territory.

      Hoping to make good use of the area’s incredibly fertile soil and bountiful waters, the English staked claims across the Corchaugs’ land and set up farms, homesteads, and businesses throughout. These actions apparently sealed Cutchogue’s fate, for even now, almost four centuries later, Cutchogue remains a vital center of the North Fork’s agricultural community, with vineyards, sod, and produce farms sprawling from one side of the hamlet to the other. Its local business community is still thriving, with many mom-and-pop stores up and down its Main Street. And its harbor has continued to bustle with fishing boats, sailboats, and, more recently, kayaks.

      Along with adhering to many of its old ways, Cutchogue has also preserved much of its history in the way of dozens of historic buildings and structures. Most obvious is the “Old House” that sits on the village green. Originally built in 1649 in Southold, the house was deconstructed and moved to its current location in 1661. Thankfully, Fort Corchaug, or what remains of it, has also been protected. Its remnants and 51 acres surrounding them were purchased in 1997 and used to create the Fort Corchaug and Downs Farm Preserve (631-734-6413). Visitors can explore the area and experience a bit of the culture of its original inhabitants, as well as learn more about its current landowners.

      If you’re looking to get on the water and see Cutchogue’s beauty for yourself, numerous launch sites exist along its shore. The small beach at the end of Main Street, off New Suffolk Avenue in New Suffolk, is a great place to put in if you’re headed to Robins Island or Cutchogue’s Nassau Point. Follow Little Neck Road or Mason Drive to its end, and you’ll find two more spots perfect for getting on the water. My usual put-in whenever I paddle here is at the end of Pequash Avenue, next to Fleet’s Neck Beach. While the street parking is limited, the views of Cutchogue Harbor and Robins Island are breathtaking. And if you can tear yourself away from them long enough to launch your kayak, you’ll be situated perfectly for a trip to Robins Island, around Nassau Point, or along the harbor’s shoreline and its side creeks.

      USGS Quadrangles

      SOUTHOLD (NY)

      Pequash Avenue to Nassau Point Road and Back

      6 DESCRIPTION Launch from the beach at the end of Pequash Avenue, and the first thing you’ll have to do is decide on a direction in which to head. The northern tip of Robins Island lies just 2 miles due south of the beach, and the Little Hog Neck peninsula sits on the opposite side of the horseshoe-shaped harbor even closer than that. Then there are four creeks and coves only 0.5 mile to the northeast, with at least 6 miles of shoreline ready for exploring. All are worthy destinations, but my favorite first stop is the waters of Wickham Creek, just 0.25 mile to the west.

      The paddle to Wickham Creek is quick and easy from your put-in. Just follow the developed shoreline to the right (west), and its entrance will appear immediately after two small docks jut out into the harbor. Skirt around them, pass between the rocks to your right, and the sandy beach to the left, and you’ll be on Wickham Creek. Unfortunately, the very first thing you’ll encounter is a decent-sized marina that takes up a good chunk of the eastern shoreline. It should make you feel better, though, that the opposite shore is completely undeveloped and is perfect for a sea kayak. Its marsh, albeit tiny, holds many nooks and crannies that are just the right size for paddling. Poke around them a bit and you just may be lucky enough to spy a great blue heron, great egret, or any number of shorebirds along the way.