Huntington Bay is a coastal bay on the north shore of Long Island, New York, opening into Long Island Sound. It is a primary paddling route connecting several harbors, including Northport Bay, Huntington Harbor, and Lloyd Harbor. The bay itself is relatively open to the Sound, offering paddlers some decent swells and excitement, though it is considered more protected than the open Sound. The coastline features cliff-lined rocky shores with a New England character. Paddlers can view the historic Huntington Lighthouse at the entrance to Huntington Harbor and the hillsides of Lloyds Point and Eaton's Neck. The area, part of Long Island's historic "Gold Coast," is known for waterfront mansions.

Access for car-top vessels like kayaks and SUPs is permitted at several Town of Huntington launch sites. These include Centerport Beach, which provides sand beach access to Centerport Harbor and Northport Bay, connecting to Huntington Bay; Cold Spring Harbor Boat Ramp, a paved ramp; and others like West Neck Beach, Mill Dam Ramp, Crab Meadow Beach, Hobart Ramp, and Asharoken Ramp. Centerport Beach is open to Town residents with permits, while visitors may pay a daily fee during the summer season. The commercial outfitter Huntington Stand Up Paddle, located on Huntington Harbor, offers rentals, lessons, and tours, providing another launch point specifically for exploring the inner harbor and the bay.

Key safety considerations center on significant motorized boat traffic, especially during the summer. The bays can have heavy pleasure traffic, and launches like the one at Cold Spring Harbor lead directly into a busy boat channel. The open nature of Huntington Bay means conditions can become rough depending on wind and weather. Paddlers report that the overlapping spits of land in the bays can be disorienting, making a map, compass, or GPS advisable. The trip is recommended only for experienced paddlers with proper gear and a float plan. There are no specific mentions of a surf zone at entries, but the fetch across the bay and from Long Island Sound can generate chop, particularly with northerly or easterly winds. Tidal currents are present but not quantified; paddlers should consult tide charts for the area.

The Town of Huntington requires a kayak storage permit for residents who wish to use the storage racks at any of the town's eight beaches. The permitting process opens annually, with fees for residents. There is no indication that a permit is required simply to launch a hand-carried craft from the designated sites, though parking fees or daily beach access fees may apply for non-residents at certain locations. The best time for paddling is during warmer weather, and the area is a destination for longer trips, such as a approximately 12-mile route from Northport to Oyster Bay that traverses Huntington Bay.