East Rockaway Inlet at Reynolds Channel

Have you ever sailed the calm waters of Reynolds Channel? Picture yourself gliding through the East Rockaway Inlet at Reynolds Channel. This waterway separates the Rockaway Peninsula from Long Beach Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach. It’s a vital passage a lifeline for boaters and a fascinating piece of Long Island history. The East Rockaway Inlet at Reynolds Channel wasn’t always where it is today. Originally the inlet flowed directly opposite East Rockaway. A decision was made to shift the inlet creating a new passage between Far Rockaway and Atlantic Beach. The old inlet was then filled in. Think of the massive undertaking that was. The East Rockaway Inlet at Reynolds Channel boasts a channel depth of 12 feet and a width of 250 feet. A planned 3000 foot jetty on the western side was never built. Congress deauthorized the project in 1977. Today the East Rockaway Inlet at Reynolds Channel is a bustling waterway. It is easily accessible for boaters seeking shelter from the Atlantic Ocean. Reynolds Channel itself continues eastward past Hempstead Bay and Jones Inlet. It eventually flows into Sloop Channel connecting to Oyster Bay and the Great South Bay. This route offers protection and good depth. It’s a wise choice when the Atlantic grows angry. The East Rockaway Inlet at Reynolds Channel is also marked by the Atlantic Beach Bridge. This bridge crosses the inlet providing a link to the communities beyond. Navigating the inlet requires caution. There are unmarked shoals near Silver Point. Mariners should use NOAA Chart 12352 for safe passage. Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the US Coast Guard. So remember as you look out at the East Rockaway Inlet at Reynolds Channel the story is richer than it seems. It is a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring power of nature. This isn’t just an inlet it is a history book a roadmap a shelter and a gateway to the beauty of Long Island’s waterways.