One of the quiet luxuries of staying on Dune Road is having two kinds of water. Out front, the Atlantic puts on its show of surf and horizon. Behind you, on the other side of the road, Moriches Bay lies flat and sheltered — a broad, shallow lagoon protected from the ocean by the very barrier island you're sleeping on.
That bay is where the paddling happens. It's calm enough for a first-time paddleboarder, interesting enough for an experienced kayaker to spend a whole morning, and it saves its best light for the end of the day. Here's how to make the most of it.
Why the bay side is made for paddling
The barrier island does all the hard work. Ocean swell never reaches Moriches Bay, so even on days when the surf is booming you'll find the bay glassy or gently rippled. The water is shallow across much of the bay and warms up nicely through the season, which makes it forgiving for kids, beginners, and anyone standing on a paddleboard for the first time.
Mornings are usually the calmest window, before the afternoon sea breeze fills in. A relaxed loop along the marsh edges near Dune Road makes an easy hour; stronger paddlers can range much farther along the bay shoreline.
Wildlife from water level
A kayak or paddleboard is the best wildlife blind there is — quiet, slow, and low to the water. Along the salt marsh edges you'll drift past herons and egrets stalking the shallows, terns working bait overhead, and ospreys carrying fish back to their nest platforms. Look down in the clear shallows and you'll spot crabs scuttling over the bottom.
Give nesting birds and marsh grass a respectful distance, and the bay will keep producing close encounters all stay long.
The sunset paddle
Dune Road's geography hands you a perfect schedule: sunrise over the ocean out front, sunset over the bay out back. In the last hour of light the afternoon breeze often dies, the bay turns to glass, and the water picks up every color in the sky. A slow paddle then is the single best free show in Westhampton Beach.
It ends the way every good Dune Road evening does — back at the house, straight into the year-round hot tub while someone starts dinner.
Nearby: the Quogue Wildlife Refuge
If the wildlife on the bay leaves your group wanting more, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a short drive away — quiet walking trails through woods and wetlands that pair naturally with a paddling morning. It's an easy add for families and a reliable rainy-day alternative when the wind kicks up.
Getting boards and boats
You don't need to strap kayaks to the roof for the drive out. Kayak and paddleboard rentals can be arranged as an add-on with your stay — just request them with your booking inquiry or call +1 201-888-1170, and we'll sort out equipment for your group and dates. Bring water shoes, sun cover, and life vests for the kids, keep an eye on wind and tide, and the bay will do the rest.
Both homes make an ideal base for it: the 8-bedroom at 915 Dune Road sleeps 16 and the 6-bedroom at 819 sleeps 12, each steps from the bay side and each with a heated pool waiting when you're done paddling. Reach out and we'll help you pick the right one for your crew.
Common questions
Is Moriches Bay safe for beginners and kids?
It's one of the friendliest places on Long Island to learn. The barrier island blocks ocean swell, the water is shallow and calm, and mornings are especially gentle. Life vests and adult supervision for kids are still a must.
Do we need to bring our own kayaks or paddleboards?
No — kayak and paddleboard rentals can be arranged as an add-on with your stay. Request them with your inquiry and we'll have equipment sorted for your group and dates.
When is the best time of day to paddle?
Early morning for the calmest water, and the hour before sunset for the light. The bay often goes glassy in the evening as the sea breeze dies, which makes the sunset paddle the signature outing.
Can we paddle in the ocean instead?
The ocean side is for experienced paddlers only, and only in gentle conditions — surf and currents are real. For most groups, the bay is where the fun is, and it's steps from the house.
Last updated August 10, 2026.
Stay oceanfront on Dune Road
Our 6 and 8 bedroom homes sit directly on the beach in Westhampton Beach, with heated pools, hot tubs, and private beach access.
