Great South Bay
![Map showing the location of the Great South Bay](/Images/godic/202501/16/Wpdms_ev26188_great_south_bay1911.jpg")
![Sunset over the bay](/Images/godic/202501/16/Setting_sun_over_Great_South_Bay1911.jpg")
![A man dives into the Bay](/Images/godic/202501/16/Diving_off_a_deck_into_the_Great_South_Bay_of_Long_Island1911.jpg")
Great South Bay, actually a lagoon, is situated between Long Island and Fire Island, in the State of New York. It is approximately 45 miles (72 km) long. It is protected from the Atlantic Ocean by Fire Island, a barrier island, as well as the eastern end of Jones Beach Island and Captree Island.