South Ferry, Shorewood and Wades Beach
The southern-most tip of Shelter Island includes South Ferry Hills, Shorewood, Wades Beach and Mashomack.
Mashomack Preserve, one-third of Shelter Island which is part of the Nature Conservancy, is one of Shelter Island’s jewels. Once an area for hunting, the hunting lodge is now a place where the annual fundraiser is held, with views to Smith Cove. There is a visitor’s area where hikers can detail in the log any interesting birds or forest flowers or creatures they have seen on their walk, and chat with the guides, who always have insight. A large bird feeder with a bench where one can view birds from inside is popular.
The South Ferry, which transports people from Shelter Island to North Haven, is at the tip of the island. Not only does it serve a practical purpose, it also offers some of the most dramatic sunset vistas all year around.
Just east of South Ferry is South Ferry Hills, developed in the 1970’s, with lots ranging from .5 +/- acres up with an Association Beach on Smith Cove. Its most famous resident was singer Billy Joel, whose house had a deep water dock.
West of South Ferry is Shorewood, which was mainly developed in the early 2000’s from an old farm, the Garr Estate. Wades Beach is the main attraction in Shorewood, and those who purchase homes there do so because of the close proximity of the beach to most homes.
Most of this area was once a 435 acre estate called “Presdeleau” owned by Frank Smith, “The Borax King”, a mining magnate who discovered borax ore had a wide range of household uses and capitalized on it.
