Jones Beach

Jones Park Beach offers fine surf bathing along 6.5 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach. As close as just about an hour and a bit drive from Manhattan, depending on the traffic conditions. The beach is currently open for all and is staffed by the Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps. We recommend bringing your own food as we couldn’t find any take out available around the beach. However, there are food options with outside seating available within 10 min drive from the beach.

How to get here:
By Car: Parking costs $10 per car here. You can check the parking capacity HERE as it is the most popular section is field 6, where the parking lot fills up first because it has the shortest walk to the ocean ( with social distancing in mind parking lots capacity has been reduced ). Parking fields 3, 4 and 5 are connected to the beachfront by tunnels under Ocean Parkway for easy access to the ocean.

* Pets are NOT Allowed All Year Round
** Because of the social distancing measures in place and the large crowds the event typically attracts, it is not feasible to hold the Fourth of July Fireworks display this summer.

New York Long Beach

This is probably favorite NYC closest beach, clean and easy to access both by car and train beach. Long Island’s Long Beach has white sandy beaches and its own boardwalk.

The beach is equipped with showers and public bathrooms. It is usually kept nice and clean, and has a good variety of food vendors. Both food trucks and restaurants nearby have nice choices for picky eaters of any kind. Generally, there are day passes available right at the beach entrance booths, and are $12 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Everyone 13 and above needs a beach pass to access the beach, and each pass is only good for one person.

* Due to COVID-19 Effective as of 5/20/20 The Long Beach will be available for the residents only, until further notice. We recommend to get updates on further opening HERE.

Rockaway Beach

Access to the beach here is free. Parking in the higher numbers is difficult. You can come by ferry or train. Further down, there are food services, bathrooms and nice boardwalk.
The area is quite busy, so if you forget your sunscreen, there are several pharmacies nearby. As well as a liquor store and food available for any taste.

How to get here:
By car: Free street parking, plus some parking lots will get you right to the beach.
By Ferry: Check on the Ferry rides and updates here.
By Train: you can take the A train which stops at Beach 67th St, Beach 90th St and so on.
By Bus: Currently, because of Covid-19 OvR Beach bus services have been suspended.
Although, you can check here for the updates.

Coopers Beach Hamptons

Coopers Beach in Hamptons is one of the most elite NYC closest beaches. A slice of heaven as they say: Coopers Beach in Southampton is often rated among the Top Ten Beaches in America, also the priciest.
Umbrellas and chairs are available for rent. Coopers Beach has amenities like fresh water outdoor showers, a snack bar, few picnic tables and bathrooms.

The sand is nice and soft. Beautiful views, including those of historic mansions. Natural shallow area makes Coopers Beach great for swimming.
Beware, the water here can be rough!

* You can check on the waves and the beach Live here.
When travel by car, keep in mind – Parking Fee here is $50 per vehicle.

Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island Beaches are world famous, a lot of New Yorkers come here to escape the hustle of the city during the hottest months. Fire Island gives you a feel of raw nature, while being one of NYC closest beaches. Cars are restricted in 17 communities of the island, to protect the wildlife and preserve the Island’s raw nature. This 32-mile-long, ¼-mile wide strip of sand has a long rich history with pirates, rum-running, shipwrecks and being a gay mecca of sorts.
Fire Island is famous for its pristine beaches, relaxed atmosphere, LGBT community and is the perfect place for anyone who prefers to avoid pretension of the Hamptons.
The Fire Island National Seashore features park facilities spanning most of the island, from the Fire Island Lighthouse to the federal wilderness preserve and all 17 communities in between.

How to get here:
It is about 90 minutes by car or bus and 60 minutes by train from NYC, then beachgoers heading to any of the 17 car-free communities in the middle of Fire Island can do so from one of three ferry terminals in either Bay Shore, Sayville or Patchogue.
Check the ferry here
Smith Point County Park and Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island offer lifeguarded beaches and are accessible by car. Both have large capacity parking lots (fee charged), changing rooms and showers, snack bars, picnic tables, and a small playground for children.

The Island can also be accessible via private boat.

Jacob Riis Park Beach

Jacob Riis Park Beach was designed by Robert Moses, the famous New York City urban planner.
Being one of NYC closest beaches, it’s been historically a location for LGBT sunbathing and cruising since the 1940s. It is usually the beach that has a lot going on: with DJ events and food vendors. This year (2020), however, shows have been cancelled and the Riis Beach Bazar is operating in a limited food and beverage capacity in accordance with the new City and National Park Service COVID 19 policy.
*Pets are Not Allowed

How to get here:
By car: You can drive to Riis Beach/Park and park in the lot there for $10 * The parking lot is now open, with a reduced capacity.
By Ferry: Take the Rockaway NYC Ferry for just $2.75. From there, a free shuttle will take you right to Jacob Riis Park where the Riis Park Beach Bazaar is located.
By Bike.

Fort Tilden Beach

This one goes into a category “NY’s best kept secret”. As you can tell by the name Fort Tilden used to be a Fort, protecting the entrance to New York Harbor.
Fort Tilden is a relatively remote beach with a promise of the most calm and relaxed mood. The beach is raw, with no lifeguards on duty.
It is very close to Riis Beach, so if you decide Riis beach is too busy for you – Fort Tilden is the quiet neighbor-beach. Also, keep in mind, there are no public bathrooms other than those available at Riis Beach.

How to get here:
* This beach is located right next to Riis Beach, therefore, the same transportation as going to Riis Beach plus a little walk is required to get here.
By car: You can drive to Riis Beach/Park and park in the lot there for $10, and then walk.
By bike.

Coney Island Beach

This is one of NYC closest beaches with its own, very special vibe. With nearly three miles of sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, Coney Island’s blue skies, refreshing waves and easy accessibility make it a perfectly easy getaway. Coney Island also offers exciting recreation opportunities if you prefer staying active over just sunbathing. With courts for beach volleyball, handball, and basketball as well as playgrounds the beach and boardwalk can provide hours of entertainment.
This beach is free.

How to get here:
By train: D,F,Q,N to Coney Island Stillwell Av
By bike.
By car: There is street parking and parking lot available.