Being about 14 by seven miles, Montauk is actually the same size as Manhattan, but has only about 3,000 year-round residents. In the summer, this number swells to about 50,000, with over 100 motels and hotels and numerous restaurants. Montauk is also one of the world's fishing capitals, with a fleet of over 100 charter boats that take people sportfishing, and many docks and marinas. It also has a fleet of commercial fishing boats, which go offshore for fish to send to market.

If you enjoy seafood, there is no better place to come for fresh fish morning and night. If you enjoy surfcasting to catch your own fish, there is no better place than standing in the surf off the Montauk Lighthouse, or any of the town beaches. One of the most enjoyable, and beautiful, things to do in Montauk, is to take West Lake Drive, off Route 27, and go down to the fishing docks, to stroll around, see the fresh catches brought in by the boats daily, overlooking the scenic Montauk Harbor.