This article provides an index of natural geographic features of the extended area of New York Harbor. The area of New York Bay is one of the most intricate natural harbors in the world, a fact that is reflected in the diversity of place names.
New York Harbor is at the confluence of three major bodies of waters. The harbor opens onto the Atlantic Ocean to the south and Long Island Sound to the east; both of these are tidal bodies, but are out of sync with each other by several hours. The Hudson River adds a non-tidal flow component at the north. These three combine to generate an extremely complex system of tides and currents throughout the extended hydrologic system from Albany to Montauk Point to Sandy Hook.
The list below includes features within the five boroughs of New York City, as well as natural features in New Jersey that are part of the extended water system.
Rivers and Streams
Tidal Straits
Bays, Inlets, and Coves
Port facilities
Islands
Land features
