Long Island Sound Water Temperature, Tides & Buoy Report
Region: New York / Connecticut
Long Island Sound is a 110-mile estuary between Connecticut and Long Island. Its sheltered waters and strong tidal currents — particularly at The Race and Hell Gate — make it one of the most dynamic inshore environments on the Northeast coast, with conditions that vary dramatically over short distances.
NOAA Stations Near Long Island Sound
- LONG ISLAND - 30 NM South of Islip, NY (44025)
- MONTAUK POINT - 23 NM SSW of Montauk Point, NY (44017)
- Western Long Island Sound (44040)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What conditions does Big Buoy track near Long Island Sound?
- Big Buoy tracks real-time water temperature, wave height, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure from NOAA stations across the region, including Long Island, Montauk Point, and Western Long Island Sound. You also get 7-day tide forecasts, solunar tables, and extended weather outlooks covering the Sound from The Race to the western narrows.
- What is the tidal range in Long Island Sound?
- Tidal range in Long Island Sound increases significantly from west to east — about 4 feet at the Battery in New York, over 6 feet at New Haven, and about 3 feet at The Race on the eastern end — where extreme currents result from the volume of water funneling through the narrow passage. Currents at The Race routinely exceed 4–5 knots at peak flow, making tidal timing critical.
- What conditions should I check before heading out on Long Island Sound?
- Current strength at The Race is the single most important variable on the eastern Sound — the 4–5 knot rips are dangerous for small boats and only manageable near slack tide. In the western Sound, check wind direction: southwest winds build steep chop where the fetch is longest. Water temperature varies significantly east to west and can shift rapidly with wind-driven mixing. Big Buoy shows real-time conditions from the NOAA stations covering the Sound, plus tide forecasts so you can plan around slack water at The Race.
- What NOAA stations does Big Buoy track near Long Island Sound?
- Big Buoy tracks 882 NOAA buoys and 3,400+ tide stations nationwide, with many in the Long Island Sound area — including LONG ISLAND - 30 NM South of Islip, NY (44025), MONTAUK POINT - 23 NM SSW of Montauk Point, NY (44017), Western Long Island Sound (44040). Each station reports water temperature, wave height, wind speed and direction, and more — updated every 10 minutes. Open the map to see all stations near Long Island Sound.
- What marine conditions are available for Long Island Sound?
- Big Buoy shows real-time water temperature, wave height, swell period, wind speed and direction, 7-day tide tables with exact high and low times, and daily solunar peak windows for Long Island Sound.
- Is Big Buoy free to use for Long Island Sound marine conditions?
- Yes. Real-time buoy data, tides, and solunar for Long Island Sound are completely free with no account required. Big Buoy Pro adds the Wind Tab, the Depth Chart, satellite overlays (sea surface temp, chlorophyll, currents), 16-day forecasts, and forecast model switching.