We had an event at the Whale's Tale, and it was absolutely perfect! Erich was so accommodating of all our needs, and our guests had the best time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma M.
We had an event at the Whale's Tale, and it was absolutely perfect! Erich was so accommodating to all our needs, and our guests had the best time.
christine m.
Whales Tale could use some renovations but overall cute spot for a quick stop for ice cream! The place is charmingly cute, and the ice cream is a solid 3/5 - bursting with flavors. The staff is incredibly sweet and friendly, making the experience even better. A must-visit for exceptional ice cream and a game of mini golf
jeffsomer
Fun, nice staff, will go again
NV R.
Dirty, expensive, greedy attitude. Nobody cares. Unwelcoming - greedy owner makes it clear that he wants as much cash as possible from you. 90% of the signage screams NO CREDIT CARDS! Ancient arcade games, poorly maintained, dirty operation. Please avoid - unsafe, unsanitary, and the owner serves you two spoonfuls of coffee and 12 oz of ice in a cup - you feel every inch of penny pinching cheapness designed to squeeze every ounce of cash from your family's wallet.
anita s.
Old, outdated, doesn't accept credit cards, points you to their ATM and tells customers they have to take their ice cream outside to eat at tables that have not been cleaned. Very disappointed. Ice cream is basic Hershey's, nothing to write home about.
Tim Hatton
OK mini golf but quite pricey
Joseph Messing
Nothing fancy but really, really great ice cream.
Brian G.
Looking at some reviews from last summer, I'm less surprised that a round of mini golf was $15+ per person. It looks like they have made a lot of improvements to the course in the last 12 months. The greens are back to normal and do not look like the photos below anymore, including that 18th hole, which has been revamped and now has a proper target at the end. I appreciated the wheel at three of the holes. Each player spins the wheel and must do the task you land on (such as putting between your legs, hitting the ball with the handle of your club instead of the head, swapping ball locations with someone else, etc) which was an inventive, inexpensive-for-them addition that changed it up a bit. I could've used more of those. Everything inside was expensive, too. Water was $3 or $3.50, gatorade $4. However they also had a bunch of stuff on steep sale, so we bought a solar onesie for my baby that changes color in sunlight for just $5, and a little sailer hat for him for just $2.
R G.
We came here with our kids and had a great time! There are precious few family-friendly, low key places to entertain kids out on the East End and this place is great. It's been a local landmark for the few decades and feels like the places I grew up going to as a kid growing up on Long Island. The proprietor, Eric, was friendly and works hard keeping the place running smoothly. We played our 18 holes and threw down some cones and will definitely come back the next time we come through Shelter Island.
Great family fun and almost too many ice cream options! Eric and his team were patient and friendly. We'll definitely come here again.
Keith Jackson
visited summer 2022Although it's out of the way, this place is worth the visit if you're on the island. They have tons of ice cream flavors and combinations, and excellent cannolis too. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the inside and outside was clean.They also have minigolf, and a few other amusement features. Everything is a little old and dated, but looked functional. Would visit again.
Robert Rainer
Fantastic ice cream. They have this combo flavor, cookies and cream and salted caramel which are two of my favorites.
Hilary R.
No maintenance has been done in years, the place is falling apart. I loved this one place 7-8 years ago and can't believe how they let it go.
Alison T.
I am all for supporting local businesses but I do not appreciate when my good intentions are taken advantage of. Whale's Tale offers family fun on an island with limited options, but customers pay much for it, in both money and attitude. Renting the golf equipment is overpriced and your money feels like it evaporates in the arcade. There is a machine that provides quarters, which is convenient. A small bottle of water cost $3. After that, I was glad my kids didn't want ice cream. There was only 1 person working the place, so expect to wait even if you are just the 2nd customer in line, which can be an issue with young children who are eagerly waiting to play. Even while I was the only one in the store, I still had to wait while facing a framed sign next to a little bell saying something along the lines "Wait, we'll be right with you"! This happened twice! The (only) guy serving was not the friendliest; it was like he did not want to be there and that customers were annoying him. He also insisted on customers paying cash. The place is equipped to take credit cards, despite a sign noting that only cash is accepted. The mini golf course was decent and the whole place is basically maintained, in- and outdoors. However, there is little shade in the golf course, so it can get uncomfortable during a hot summer day. Go prepared with your sun protection gear. Older photographs show more trees, but apparently they have been removed. The kids were sweating after one round, but they had fun and hit it off with other friendly visitors. Eating or drinking indoors is not allowed. In conclusion, I plan to explore different entertainment options on a possible future visit to Shelter Island.
We had an event at the Whale's Tale, and it was absolutely perfect! Erich was so accommodating of all our needs, and our guests had the best time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had an event at the Whale's Tale, and it was absolutely perfect! Erich was so accommodating to all our needs, and our guests had the best time.
Whales Tale could use some renovations but overall cute spot for a quick stop for ice cream! The place is charmingly cute, and the ice cream is a solid 3/5 - bursting with flavors. The staff is incredibly sweet and friendly, making the experience even better. A must-visit for exceptional ice cream and a game of mini golf
Fun, nice staff, will go again
Dirty, expensive, greedy attitude. Nobody cares. Unwelcoming - greedy owner makes it clear that he wants as much cash as possible from you. 90% of the signage screams NO CREDIT CARDS! Ancient arcade games, poorly maintained, dirty operation. Please avoid - unsafe, unsanitary, and the owner serves you two spoonfuls of coffee and 12 oz of ice in a cup - you feel every inch of penny pinching cheapness designed to squeeze every ounce of cash from your family's wallet.
Old, outdated, doesn't accept credit cards, points you to their ATM and tells customers they have to take their ice cream outside to eat at tables that have not been cleaned. Very disappointed. Ice cream is basic Hershey's, nothing to write home about.
OK mini golf but quite pricey
Nothing fancy but really, really great ice cream.
Looking at some reviews from last summer, I'm less surprised that a round of mini golf was $15+ per person. It looks like they have made a lot of improvements to the course in the last 12 months. The greens are back to normal and do not look like the photos below anymore, including that 18th hole, which has been revamped and now has a proper target at the end. I appreciated the wheel at three of the holes. Each player spins the wheel and must do the task you land on (such as putting between your legs, hitting the ball with the handle of your club instead of the head, swapping ball locations with someone else, etc) which was an inventive, inexpensive-for-them addition that changed it up a bit. I could've used more of those. Everything inside was expensive, too. Water was $3 or $3.50, gatorade $4. However they also had a bunch of stuff on steep sale, so we bought a solar onesie for my baby that changes color in sunlight for just $5, and a little sailer hat for him for just $2.
We came here with our kids and had a great time! There are precious few family-friendly, low key places to entertain kids out on the East End and this place is great. It's been a local landmark for the few decades and feels like the places I grew up going to as a kid growing up on Long Island. The proprietor, Eric, was friendly and works hard keeping the place running smoothly. We played our 18 holes and threw down some cones and will definitely come back the next time we come through Shelter Island.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great family fun and almost too many ice cream options! Eric and his team were patient and friendly. We'll definitely come here again.
visited summer 2022Although it's out of the way, this place is worth the visit if you're on the island. They have tons of ice cream flavors and combinations, and excellent cannolis too. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the inside and outside was clean.They also have minigolf, and a few other amusement features. Everything is a little old and dated, but looked functional. Would visit again.
Fantastic ice cream. They have this combo flavor, cookies and cream and salted caramel which are two of my favorites.
No maintenance has been done in years, the place is falling apart. I loved this one place 7-8 years ago and can't believe how they let it go.
I am all for supporting local businesses but I do not appreciate when my good intentions are taken advantage of. Whale's Tale offers family fun on an island with limited options, but customers pay much for it, in both money and attitude. Renting the golf equipment is overpriced and your money feels like it evaporates in the arcade. There is a machine that provides quarters, which is convenient. A small bottle of water cost $3. After that, I was glad my kids didn't want ice cream. There was only 1 person working the place, so expect to wait even if you are just the 2nd customer in line, which can be an issue with young children who are eagerly waiting to play. Even while I was the only one in the store, I still had to wait while facing a framed sign next to a little bell saying something along the lines "Wait, we'll be right with you"! This happened twice! The (only) guy serving was not the friendliest; it was like he did not want to be there and that customers were annoying him. He also insisted on customers paying cash. The place is equipped to take credit cards, despite a sign noting that only cash is accepted. The mini golf course was decent and the whole place is basically maintained, in- and outdoors. However, there is little shade in the golf course, so it can get uncomfortable during a hot summer day. Go prepared with your sun protection gear. Older photographs show more trees, but apparently they have been removed. The kids were sweating after one round, but they had fun and hit it off with other friendly visitors. Eating or drinking indoors is not allowed. In conclusion, I plan to explore different entertainment options on a possible future visit to Shelter Island.