Dog Island (New York)

Dog Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the western portion of Great South Bay, off the south shore of Long Island, New York. It is part of the Town of Babylon in Suffolk County. The island is primarily composed of sand and low-lying vegetation, subject to frequent changes due to erosion and tidal action. Its size fluctuates depending on environmental conditions.

Dog Island serves as a significant habitat for various species of migratory birds, particularly during the spring and fall. Shellfishing, including clamming and oystering, occurs in the surrounding waters, but access to the island itself is limited and regulated to protect the fragile ecosystem and wildlife. The island's name origin is unclear, but it is speculated to possibly relate to the presence of stray dogs or its general shape or usage at some point in the past. Due to its unstable nature and protected status, development on Dog Island is prohibited.