Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

John F. KennedyWildlife Sanctuary
(TOBay Beach)

The least known part of Jones Island is located just 1.9 miles east of Jones Beach State Park. JFKWildlife Sanctuary occupies about 550 acres and has a large pond, maritime thickets, marshes and bay shores.

The primary attraction is Guggenheim Pond. Here you can see a wide range of bird life. Long-legged waders are most conspicuous, such as four species of herons, great and snowy egrets, glossy ibis and black-crowned night heron. The area is well known for the uncommon black duck and American bittern.

A free one-year permit is required to visit the sanctuary. Obtain it from the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks at (516) 797-4111, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, NY 11758.

How to Get There: Bring binoculars and bug protection for this walk.Watch for poison ivy! Take either Meadowbrook orWantagh Parkway south to their terminus. Drive east from the Jones Beach traffic circle. In three miles, turn left at the U-turn for “Tobay Beach.” Then drive west on Ocean Parkway and turn right to Tobay Beach parking lot.
Facing the end of this lot, look to the back southwest corner for an opening in the fence where a small sign reads “Permit Only – JFKWildlife Refuge.” Drive on this road until it ends at the sanctuary lot. Park here.

Walk down the sand road. In a quarter-mile, you pass a fenced-off unusable observation tower. Just after it, turn left on a very short, small trail that gives you a view of the pond. Linger here to spy all the wildlife that appears.

Back on the main trail, continue west. In another quarter-mile, turn left onto another path that gives a different view of the pond.When you finish your pond birding, return to the main trail. You can return to your car, but if you want a longer walk, continue down the main trail to the left.

A half-mile or so further, you come to a fork. You have the option here for a longer walk. If you continue straight ahead (not left), the path goes west one mile further to Zachs Bay and High Hill Beach. From the shore of the bay, you can see across to the Marine Theatre and a different set of wildlife. Return the way you came.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	John F. KennedyWildlife Sanctuary (TOBay Beach) The least known part of Jones Island is located just 1.9 miles east of Jones Beach State Park. JFKWildlife Sanctuary occupies about 550 acres and has a large pond, maritime thickets, marshes and bay shores. The primary attraction is Guggenheim Pond. Here you can see a wide range of bird life. Long-legged waders are most conspicuous, such as four species of herons, great and snowy egrets, glossy ibis and black-crowned night heron. The area is well known for the uncommon black duck and American bittern. A free one-year permit is required to visit the sanctuary. Obtain it from the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks at (516) 797-4111, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, NY 11758. How to Get There: Bring binoculars and bug protection for this walk.Watch for poison ivy! Take either Meadowbrook orWantagh Parkway south to their terminus. Drive east from the Jones Beach traffic circle. In three miles, turn left at the U-turn for “Tobay Beach.” Then drive west on Ocean Parkway and turn right to Tobay Beach parking lot. Facing the end of this lot, look to the back southwest corner for an opening in the fence where a small sign reads “Permit Only – JFKWildlife Refuge.” Drive on this road until it ends at the sanctuary lot. Park here. Walk down the sand road. In a quarter-mile, you pass a fenced-off unusable observation tower. Just after it, turn left on a very short, small trail that gives you a view of the pond. Linger here to spy all the wildlife that appears. Back on the main trail, continue west. In another quarter-mile, turn left onto another path that gives a different view of the pond.When you finish your pond birding, return to the main trail. You can return to your car, but if you want a longer walk, continue down the main trail to the left. A half-mile or so further, you come to a fork. You have the option here for a longer walk. If you continue straight ahead (not left), the path goes west one mile further to Zachs Bay and High Hill Beach. From the shore of the bay, you can see across to the Marine Theatre and a different set of wildlife. Return the way you came.