Moriches Inlet (/mʊərˈɪtʃɪz/ mohr-ICH-iz) is an inlet connecting Moriches Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The name Moriches comes from Meritces, a Native American who owned land on Moriches Neck.It forms the eastern border of Fire Island, New York and the western border of the barrier island on which West Hampton Dunes, New York is the closest community.The inlet which split West Hampton from Fire Island was formed by a Nor'easter in 1931.