Shelter Island is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) within the Town of Shelter Island in Suffolk County, New York, United States.

Many of the properties are owned by wealthy New York City residents who use the island as a weekend retreat.

Shelter Island is characterized by a quieter and less social lifestyle than that of the nearby Hamptons.

[2][3] As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,234 people, 531 households, and 349 families residing in the CDP.

27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.