Originally Posted by
Dexter Rutecki
Used to live there and spent every summer of my life there until I was almost 30. Personally I (and many of the people I know there) avoided town to the extent that we could--there would be months when pretty much the closest I'd get to town was the Stop and Shop (worked in Sconset). That said, if a crowded, summer resort scene (increasingly full of people who might otherwise be in the Hamptons) appeals to you, then town might be OK. But I'd stick with Madaket.
There's a harbor in Madaket, and the other beaches there are by no means unswimmable--but you do need to use good judgment, as with anywhere else in the ocean. If you need really calm water you can try for something on Polpis Harbor/around Pocomo (best beach for kids, IMO). But if you're a strong swimmer the only place I'd avoid, really, is jumping in the rip off Great Point (get sucked out out there and the next guy you meet will be speaking Portuguese).
Jetties is fine (not sure about parking during crowded days), but Children's Beach is a dump (maybe it's changed, but it always was). Bottom line--I'd recommend staying outside of town. If you like it you can easily get in (parking is a moderate pain some nights), but if the scene annoys you you won't be stuck there.
Hope you enjoy it--I kind of grew up there and love it, despite some of what's happened to it over the past 20+ years. Feel free to PM me with other questions.
edit: not entirely sure what he meant by 'if you're not in Wauwinet you're in town,' but the way I understand that I'd disagree. You can start on Main Street and walk less than ten minutes and escape most of the town vibe. Go a few miles in any direction and it's completely different. Polpis, Sconset, Tom Nevers, Madaket, etc. are nothing like town.