Beaches Of New York

The location of New York City on the mouth of the River Hudson which flows into the Atlantic Ocean classifies it as a coastal city. However this teeming metropolis is not your archetype beach town even though the city and its surrounding areas do boast of some stunning beaches which are hugely popular with the populace during the steamy, stifling New York summers. Listed below are some of the best beaches in and around New York City.

Coney Island Beach

Surf Avenue from Corbin Place to W 37th St, Brooklyn. Subways: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue.

Coney Island is New York’s iconic beach that has been the city’s favored summer playground over 100 years. This beach which is located on the southernmost tip of Brooklyn is home to several famous attractions like the historic Cyclone roller coaster, the Mermaid Parade( held every June), the original Nathan’s hot dog stand and the Polar Bear Swim club which is the oldest winter bathing organization in the USA. Coney Island recently unveiled a brand new attraction in the form of the new Luna Park which is fashioned on the old Luna Park that was destroyed by fires in 1944. The new Luna Park at Coney Island features nineteen exciting rides and various other entertaining attractions.

Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach Avenue, Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Subway: B, Q to Brighton Beach.

Brighton Beach which is located within close proximity to Coney Island is a vibrant ocean front neighborhood which is home to the city’s many immigrant populations. This beach front community also includes the Brighton Playground which forms a part of the New York City Parks system and is equipped with basketball courts, benches, handicapped-accessible picnic tables, game tables, fences, water fountain, and wheelchair-accessible ramps to and from the boardwalk.

Manhattan Beach

Oriental Boulevard Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn; Subway: B or Q to Brighton Beach, then take the B1 bus to Oriental Boulevard.

Manhattan Beach is yet another ocean front neighborhood located in the vicinity of Coney Island which is far more tranquil than Coney Island. The Manhattan Beach Park is also included in the New York City Parks network and offer amenities like barbecuing areas, basketball courts, baseball fields, dog runs, spray showers, beach access and tennis and volleyball courts.

Rockaway Beach

Boardwalk and Beach 117th Street, Rockaway Beach, Queens Subway: A to Broad Channel; transfer to the Rockaway S to Beach 116th St–Rockaway Park.

Rockaway Beach in Queens used to be a favored summer time haunt of the rich and famous in the early 20th century. The beach at Rockaway which extends from Beach 126th Street to Beach 149th Street is a part of the New York City parks and recreation system. Rockaway Beach is equipped with life guards who are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This beach is also well known for its annual Sandcastle contest which is held on a Sunday in July every year and draws huge crowds.

Jacob Riis Park Beach

From Beach 169th St to Beach 149th St, Rockaway Beach, Queens. Subway : No 2 train to Flatbush Avenue, then take the Q35 bus to Riis Beach.

Jacob Riis Park Beach which is also known as the ‘People’s Beach’ is named after Jacob Riis, the famed New York journalist and photographer who documented the plight of the poor and the working class. This beach park forms a part of the Gateway National Recreation Area and also offers topless or clothing optional bathing. This beach is open 24 hours and it has Lifeguards on duty on weekdays from 9 am to 6pm and on weekends from 9am to 7pm. The beach has paved walkways and boardwalks and a 1932’s restored Art Deco bath house which is the hub of summertime activities and programs.

Orchard Beach

Pelham Bay Park, Park Drive at Orchard Beach Road, Bronx. Subway: the No.6 train to Pelham Bay Park and then transfer to the Bx12 bus to Orchard Beach.

This crescent shaped 1.1 mile long man-made beach which is known as the ‘Rivera of New York’ is also a part of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. The beach has a busy promenade which is lined with shops, picnic areas and various sporting facilities like handball courts, playgrounds and tennis courts.

South and Midland Beaches

Atlantic Ocean, Staten Island NY Hours: Daily 10am-6pm. Directions by bus: Bx51, Bx4, Bx5, Bx6, Bx7, Bx8 to FDR Boardwalk

Wolfe's Pond Beach

Hylan Blvd Staten Island NY Hours: Mon-Sun 10am -6pm Directions by bus: S56, S78 at Wolfe's Pond Park

Midland Beach and Wolfe's Pond Beach are both on Staten Island and are operated by the city's Parks department. Both the beaches stretch out for about a mile along the shoreline but Midland Beach is far more popular than Wolfe’s Pond Beach as it cleaner and better equipped with walkways, bikeways, benches and water fountains.

Water Taxi Beach

South Street Seaport location - North side of Pier 17, Fulton St at South Street Seaport Subway: A, C to Broadway–Nassau Street ; J, M, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Fulton Street.

Governors Island location- Near ferry dock (212-742-1969) Subway: No 1 train to South Ferry, then take Governors Island ferry from Battery Maritime Building, Slip 7.

Long Island City location- Subway: 7 to Vernon Blvd–Jackson Avenue; G to 21st Street; E or V to 23rd St–Ely Avenue

Water Taxi Beach consists of stimulated, manmade beach fronts that cater mainly to the 21 and over age group. The organizers of Water Taxi Beach offer raucous parties, live music concerts and many good and wine outlets at their locales. The Water Taxi Beaches do have sand but don’t allow swimming. Luckily for the residents of New York City, the many spectacular beaches of Long Island are also within easy reach of the city dwellers as they are well served by public transport and thus are easily accessible. Some of the most popular Long Island Beaches frequented by New Yorkers include:”

Jones Beach

Ocean Parkway at Wantagh Parkway, Wantagh. Access via the LIRR to Freeport, and then take a shuttle bus to the beach. Enter at Field 4. This beach offers 6.5 miles of sand and a two mile boardwalk along with a 15000 seat amphitheater which hosts the Summer Concert series every year which usually features a star studded lineup. Legends like Eric Clapton, R.E.M, Aerosmith and the Dave Mathews Band have all performed at Jones Beach over the years.

Long Beach

Nevada Avenue, Long Beach, Access: LIRR to Long Beach

This relatively clean beach that is located close to the LIRR station. Long Beach requires paid access and is equipped with vendors who rent out umbrellas and lounge chairs so you don’t need to carry them with you from home.

Robert Moses Beach State Park

Robert Moses Causeway, Babylon, Access: Southern State Parkway to Robert Moses Causeway at exit 40. $10 parking fee per day.

This stunning beach state park is not easily accessible by public transport but well worth visiting if you have a car. Situated within the beach front town of Babylon, the Robert Moses Beach State Park offers five miles of clean, ocean front beach where beach goers can swim, surf or fish from the piers. The beach park also has a boat basin which can accommodate forty boats. The park additionally is equipped with picnic areas and an 18-hole Robert Moses State Park Pitch and Putt Golf Course.

The Hamptons

The term the Hamptons collectively refers to about 24 villages and hamlets which are located within in the towns of Southampton and East Hampton on the far, east end of Long Island. The Hamptons are a favored summer getaway of the rich and famous New Yorkers many of whom rent or own summer homes in the Hamptons. The Hamptons are easily accessible from New York City via the Hamptons Jitney Coach Service or the Long Island Rail Road.