Great Peconic Bay is a large, open saltwater bay on Long Island, offering a challenging paddling environment that is not suitable for beginners except under the best conditions. The bay connects to other bodies of water like Little Peconic Bay and Flanders Bay, with the waterway narrowing as you pass Red Cedar. A notable and popular paddling route circles the perimeter of Robins Island, which is located within the bay, typically launching from the beach in New Suffolk. Access points are limited and often informal. One secluded put-in is at Red Creek Pond, which provides access to the bay via the tidal pond and then Flanders Bay to the west; this spot has short carry, beach launch, and parking for only 2-4 cars, and it may not be in the best neighborhood. Another potential access is from Meschutt Beach. Paddlers must be acutely aware of tidal currents, which can be significant. The South Race, located just south of Robins Island, has swift currents averaging about 3.5 knots during peak incoming tide and up to 4 knots during peak outgoing tide over a hard, shell-strewn bottom. Planning put-in and takeout times with the tide is essential, as some adjacent areas like Mount Sinai Harbor become essentially inaccessible at low tide. The bay is also active with pleasure boat traffic. Participants must provide their own paddling equipment, and local permits or parking fees may apply at some town-maintained locations.