Centre Island is one of the most exclusive, expensive and exquisite communities in New York. Privacy and anonymity are the hallmarks of the less than five hundred residents of this tiny Gold Coast village that is perched on a claw shaped peninsula overlooking Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbors. The area formed by glaciers was home to the Matinecock, who came about 10,000 years ago by canoe to fish, hunt, and collect shellfish. The Island changed hands many times over the years and in 1844, the island, known as Hog Island, became Centre Island. It gained popularity in the late 1800s as a summer resort.

Today it has stately mansions owned mostly by wealthy people of European descent. There are about three hundred residences along narrow, tree-lined roads and the expansive properties usually have landscaped gardens of several acres on the waterfront. Well water is commonly used and generally, the area is not prone to flooding. Hailed as the alternative to the Hamptons, because of its proximity to midtown Manhattan, Centre Island is accessible by road from Bayville. If you want seclusion and spectacular water views Centre Island is the place for you, only there are hardly any properties on the market now.

Centre Island has its own police department stationed at entrance to the village. Students attend the Oyster Bay- East Norwich school district. Exclusively residential, its proximity to the charming towns of Oyster Bay, Bayville, and Locust Valley makes it convenient for shopping and restaurants, golf and country clubs. The city was in the limelight when singer Billy Joel purchased a $22-million brick manor home on 15 acres in Centre Island about a year ago but residents prefer anonymity and keep to themselves.


The exclusive Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, the premier sailing club in the country founded here in 1871 attracted leading yachtsmen. It is a full service, year round, yacht club, founded to promote sailing in the Corinthian spirit. The popularity of the club in the early years led to the discovery of this secluded neighborhood and Centre Island blossomed as a summer colony. The Club's sailing activities include one-design dingy sailing from November to April. The Clubhouse maintains numerous rooms for use of its members and their guests for overnight stays and vacations. Residents today enjoy private beaches and all types of water sports.

Most of the homes are truly luxurious with panoramic vistas of the water from all the rooms. The acres of estate usually include rolling lawns, mature trees and plantings decks, patios, gazebo and pool with Jacuzzi. Many have their own tennis courts. The homes are gracious and traditional with spacious living and entertaining areas and close attention to fine detail and artisanship. Large windows overlooking the lawns and water bring in an air of tranquility into the homes. Truly, this is waterfront living at its finest with the bonus of being less than forty miles from midtown Manhattan. What can be better than being conveniently close to New York City, while being secluded enough to be an Island away from it all?