Best Beaches in New York

It’s the middle of summer and you’re looking for a great beach. You want to enjoy yourself, but not have to work too hard at it. So what are your options? There are plenty of beaches in New York where you can do just that, from the widest sandy stretch on Long Island Sound to a secluded spot on Lake Champlain. Which one is best for you? Below is our list of cities across New York that have beaches along with a full list of all beaches located in the state of New York.

Best Beaches in New York

The following are several of the most highly rated and most visited beaches located near New York City

Jones Beach, Wantagh

The main beach is justifiably famous for its mile-long stretch of clean white sand along the Atlantic Ocean, fine for swimming and sunbathing. There are ample facilities, lifeguards reading all day long in towers spaced out along the shoreline, nature trails if you’re looking to escape the crowd, bathhouses where you can change your clothes or rest in comfort with a snack from the concession stand (which also has showers). You can rent kayaks or jet skis on this beach; there’s even an amusement park with rides like bumper cars if you feel like getting wet yet staying dry. This is one of New York State’s most popular beaches, so expect traffic on July and August weekends.

Robert Moses State Park, Babylon

Long Island beaches are all about location, and the great view here of the Fire Island Lighthouse may distract you from the sparkling water so close to your towel on this expansive beach in Suffolk County. To get there, take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) east to exit 53, then follow Route 904 south for six miles to park headquarters on your left; or come in via Robert Moses Causeway off Route 454 west. “A” train riders can hop off at Culver-Rosedale Station in nearby New York City for free summertime shuttle service by Huntington Area Rapid Transit (HART).

Long Beach Barrier Island Park, Long Beach

You can sit on the deck of your beach house and watch this island as it changes with the time of day, from a flat dark mass at night to a peninsula with water lapping its edges in the morning. This is one of those quiet little beaches that’s just hard to believe exists until you’ve been there yourself – until you’ve felt how soft and fine-grained the sand is underfoot, or watched a pod of dolphins swim by an oceanfront window. There are no lifeguards here, but kits for self-rescue are available at concession stands throughout town.

Lido Beach, Nassau County

Nassau County’s Lido Beach claims several distinctions: It has some of the whitest sand you’ll find anywhere, a gentle slope suitable for little swimmers, and a large parking lot with plenty of room to spare on big weekends. Come here if you want something easy – no hills to climb on your way back from the water, showers at the bathhouse, snack bar food in abundance. It’s only one mile north of Point Lookout station on Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

Smith Point County Park, Shirley

If you’re looking for an isolated beach in Suffolk County that’s bigger than Jones Beach but not as crowded as Robert Moses State Park, this is your spot. The main swimming area has lifeguards all day; there are also separate sections for camping, kiteboarding (no motorized models), and scuba diving (with proper training). Smith Point County Park is on the east side of Route 25A in Shirley, about four miles south of Patchogue.

Westcott Beach, Suffolk County

It’s easy to see why Westcott Beach ranks so high on our list: It’s clean and beautiful, with just enough facilities to keep everyone comfortable while not seeming cluttered. Lifeguards are plentiful here too; they’re stationed at all main swimming areas during peak season. This beach is one of the best places to look for shells along Long Island Sound; don’t forget your camera! Find it off Route 27A in Wading River, just five miles south of Long Island MacArthur Airport.

Town of Riverhead Beach, Suffolk County

One mile long and open to the public year-round for beachgoers with ID proving residency, this is a great spot along Riverhead’s common waterfront if you want to get away from the big summer crowds without leaving home base. There are newly renovated bathrooms at either end of this beach, perfect for changing clothes before your next activity. Your pets are welcome here too – just be sure they’re leashed up while walking on sand.

Point O’Woods, Suffolk County

Point O’Woods might be one of Long Island’s finest nature preserves, but it also serves as a prime family beach destination on a hot summer day. The striking bayfront views and light surf here attract swimmers and sunbathers looking for something that feels just a bit more remote than other popular spots around Riverhead Town. There’s no parking lot at this beach; pay close attention to daytime street sweeping signs if you’re thinking of driving.

Hempstead Lake State Park, Nassau County

On hot days when the rest of Long Island is sizzling, head to Hempstead Lake State Park for a relaxing breeze across your sun-kissed skin; there are plenty of shady areas here along with this expansive lawn (though not at the beach itself). Lifeguards man an area directly in front of the bathhouse during peak season; remember that you must be fully clothed before entering this or any other Nassau County beach.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge & Beach, Queens

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is one of New York City’s hidden water birding gems; it’s also home to a protected stretch of shoreline that includes JFK Airport. If you’re staying overnight on the shores of Queens, this is your best bet for an early-morning coastal walk or a late-night swim. Just remember to pack plenty of bug spray when visiting Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge between June and mid-August; it’s one of the city’s most popular summertime habitats for mosquitoes.

Rockaway Beach, Queens

New York City beaches don’t get much better than Rockaway Beach, where many locals head in July, August, and September to beat the heat. The wide expanse of sand here is backed by dramatic bluffs topped with grassy communities full of bungalows (and some pretty great surf spots) along Jamaica Bay. Surfers love this beach in the summer, though it might be a bit far for a quick swim if you’re staying on or near Manhattan.

Orchard Beach & Seaside Park, Bronx

If you don’t mind the commute to the northern edge of New York City, this is one of the best beaches around. Orchard Beach and Seaside Park indeed offer plenty of leisure opportunities; try out baseball, volleyball, and tennis on-site at this expansive facility or just enjoy an afternoon picnicking with loved ones. That’s not all: At just $4 per person (you must have proof that you live in New York State), this is also one of Long Island’s cheapest shoreline hangouts.

Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh

Jones Beach State Park gets packed during the warmest months of the year, but if you visit early or late in summer you’re likely to have this shoreline practically all to yourself – especially if you pick one of the uncrowded easternmost beaches here. The sand is remarkably fine and the surf is usually light, so it’s a great place to bring children along. Keep an eye out for some of Long Island’s best wildlife viewing here.

Cold Spring Harbor State Park Beach, Suffolk County

Featuring one of the most picturesque headlands in all New York, Cold Spring Harbor State Park Beach is a great spot to soak up a uniquely beautiful natural landscape – and spend a day with your family swimming or boating. Note that you must have a permit from the Town of Huntington if you’re going to be here between Memorial Day and Labor Day – but don’t worry: These permits are easy to get at local convenience stores.

Montauk Point State Park Beach, Suffolk County

Montauk Point State Park Beach is one of Long Island’s treasured spots for good reason: It’s a picturesque stretch of shoreline with pink sand and plenty of activities on offer. In fact, this beach is so popular that you might need to hike along the bluffs overlooking it before you find an open spot to drop your towel.

Additional Information

  1. Many beaches in New York state have a “season,” where some apply for certain months. This is usually between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but the specific months may vary from beach to beach.
  2. Beaches on Fire Island are not part of New York State’s parks system. Instead, they’re maintained by individual towns or villages on Fire Island. The easiest way to get here by public transportation is via Long Island Railroad (LIRR), which has a station at Smith Point County Park in Shirley, NY (about 45 minutes away from the main town/ferry landing at Fire Island). Several other LIRR stations lie within walking distance of Fire Island ferries: Sayville, Bellport, Patchogue, and Bay Shore.
  3. If you get a hunting & fishing license (New York State, $10/year) or an Empire Pass (Stony Point NY, $80), many parks will let you in free or for half price. You can get one here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/81812.html
  4. Most beaches do not require permits to use during the off-season (Fall to Spring). However, some do (e.g., Alley Park Beach ). The only way to find out is by checking their website or calling them up directly to ask! Otherwise, assume that any beach which doesn’t outlaw fires during the winter also requires no permit.
  5. It is against the law to be intoxicated at any beach in New York State. Fines range from $50-$250, and you could also end up spending time in jail! Additionally, it’s illegal to have a bonfire within 300 feet of any shoreline where there are flammable materials. That means no fires during the summer or early fall on beaches where there is brush/vegetation too close by.
  6. Many beaches “close” around sundown for coyote concerns – if you’re not out by then, you will get locked inside until morning (at your own risk). Call ahead or check their website to make sure this doesn’t happen to you!
  7. Dogs must be on a leash at all times in New York State (even in seashores and parks). They must also be leashed when you’re within 100 feet of the water’s edge.
  8. If you see a life-threatening situation or crime, such as fighting or anyone drowning, call 911! You should never try to handle that sort of thing yourself – it is very dangerous and against the law. [And remember: If you get caught, don’t say I didn’t warn you!]
  9. No glass bottles are permitted at any beach in New York state. If you bring some and get caught with it by park rangers/police officers, they will fine you $150-$250 and possibly confiscate your bottle.
  10. If you’re planning on heading out to Long Island be sure to check the weather before going! New York State beaches are famous for being very windy, and nothing kills a day at the shore like a blanket of fog or a storm sending everyone home early.

Hunting & Fishing Information

  1. Hunting/fishing licenses can be carried by anyone over the age of 12 years old, but only those ages 12-14 need to have them in their possession when hunting. In order to get one online, go here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6093.html
  2. You do not need a fishing license to fish in New York City. Each beach has different rules regarding fishing, which must be followed at all times
  3. Be sure to check the current fishing regulations before heading out into nature! They can be found here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/22430.html

New York State’s Park System Information

  1. The parks system in New York State is divided up into regions, each of which has its own rules & regulations regarding things like permits, fees, reservations, etc.; these are listed on their page for people to review before visiting them.
  2. Most popular NYS parks (which don’t require permits) do not allow swimming outside of the summer season. However, some do allow it; for example, Shawnee Park in New York City allows swimming year-round and charges a fee to use its facilities.