If you and your family are looking for a safe way to enjoy the ocean, I encourage you to check out one of the Town of Southampton Beaches, including Ponguogue. 

Between Westhampton and Sagaponack, there are seven Town of Southampton beaches with ocean lifeguards 7 days a week, 10 am-5 pm.  Permits are required to park in the parking lots of the beaches listed above.  A day pass is $25 and can be purchased upon entering the parking lot.  There are also full-season passes available for purchase.

Ponquogue Beach is located in Hampton Bays and is accessible directly upon driving over the Ponquogue Bridge.  Ponquogue Beach is the largest of the seven town beaches.  The beach has three lifeguard stands with a rotating staff of roughly 13-18 lifeguards on any given day.  Ponquogue Beach is extremely family-friendly.  The pavilion has outdoor showers, bathrooms (close promptly at 5) and food made to order.

Ponquogue has a volleyball net for patrons to enjoy, however, they do not provide the volleyball.  Towards the dunes, you will find a lot of children (middle school-high school-age) lounging and playing amongst themselves.  I personally find this a good beach to go to if you wanted to enjoy some time with adult friends while allowing your children to have some personal space to roam free.

Ponquogue Beach also has a wonderful program for children ages 11-15 that is offered Sundays in July.  This is an amazing opportunity to allow your children to learn about the ocean and feel confident about their time spent in the water.  The Town of Southampton Lifeguards teach the children the same life training skills they personally have learned in their own courses.  You can sign up for these classes online at www.southamptontownny.gov/parksrec or by calling (631)-728-8585.