One of the largest barrier islands on the United States’ east coast, Fire Island National Seashore strings out across 25 miles of ocean. Treasure hunters flock to the beach in hopes of finding unusual shells, ancient coins, bottles, and remnants from long-gone wrecks that occasionally wash ashore after storms. Beachcombers, armed with metal detectors and sharp pairs of eyes, pore over miles of sandy white beaches. Visitors are permitted to take home up to two quarts of seashells. Binoculars, too, may prove useful for birdwatchers and nature lovers. In addition to several species of common birds that populate the tidal marshes and shallow waters, a handful of threatened or endangered birds make their homes on Fire Island, including piping plovers and roseate terns. Though bald eagles, hawks, and ospreys are not endangered, they are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. They too regularly nest in the area and can be sighted overhead soaring in lazy loops while searching for easy prey. It’s speculated that a few white-tailed deer went for a swim and somehow got stranded on Fire Island in the 1940s. Today, there is a small but healthy population of deer roaming the tidal marshes. Other mammals include foxes, otters, and an occasional seal. Offshore, whales pass by the island on their biannual migration to their winter and summer grounds. Beaches and fishing go hand-in-hand. There are a couple of fishing piers, marinas with boats for rent, and also, fishing from the shore is allowed. Anglers can expect to catch bluefish, striped bass, and fluke. In addition to swimming and surfing, scuba diving is a popular activity. It’s recommended that scuba divers work with an experienced partner because the currents off Fire Island can be strong. Divers should bring extra air tanks; the closest facility to refill them is across the bridges. One of the popular sites to dive at is the Fire Island Lightship, which is a 1909 shipwreck that’s at the depths of 100 feet. The USS San Diego wreck is also a popular dive site. It’s considered interesting because it was sunken by a mine at the start of World War I, which is one of the few known incidents that occurred in the United States’ waters. Heads up: it is now illegal to recover artifacts from this wreck.