New York State is a powerhouse of American culture, history, and natural beauty, anchored by New York City—the most visited city in the United States. From the iconic skyline of Manhattan to the thundering Niagara Falls, the tranquil Adirondack wilderness, and the rolling vineyards of the Finger Lakes, the state offers an extraordinary range of experiences. Whether you seek world-class museums, outdoor adventure, farm-to-table dining, or vibrant nightlife, New York State delivers on every front.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in New York.
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- Classic New York public beach — energetic, family-friendly, and iconic
- lifeguards
- showers
- changing rooms
- restaurants
- picnic areas
- boardwalk
Jones Beach State Park
Robert Moses' 1920s-era masterpiece of public beach design stretches 10 miles along the barrier island south shore of Long Island. Jones Beach offers 2,400 acres of ocean beach, bay swimming, boardwalks, pools, and the historic water tower. It's the quintessential New York summer beach experience.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 9:30 AM on summer weekends — parking lots fill to capacity by mid-morning on hot days
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- Beautiful ocean beach on Fire Island's western tip — car accessible, family-friendly
- lifeguards
- restrooms
- showers
- snack bars
- parking
- lighthouse tours
Robert Moses State Park
The western tip of Fire Island is accessible by car via the Robert Moses Causeway — one of the few parts of Fire Island reachable by car. The park offers five pristine ocean beach fields with excellent surfing conditions, a lighthouse, and sweeping views of the Great South Bay.
Editor’s tip. Parking Field 5 has no lifeguards and is the domain of experienced surfers — swimmers should use Fields 2 through 4
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- Vibrant beach city with a thriving surf scene and lively boardwalk
- lifeguards
- restrooms
- showers
- restaurants
- bars
- boardwalk
Long Beach
A proper beach city on a barrier island directly accessible by commuter rail from Penn Station, Long Beach's 3.5 miles of sandy beach feature consistent surf breaks, an active surfer and skater community, and a lively main strip of restaurants and bars. Called 'The City by the Sea.'
Editor’s tip. The LIRR Long Beach branch is the easiest approach — the station is a 10-minute walk from the beach entrances on any day of the week
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- Laid-back surfer beach at the end of the Hamptons — cool and uncrowded by NYC standards
- restrooms
- surf shop rentals
- lifeguards (summer)
- nearby restaurants
Montauk Beach / Ditch Plains
Ditch Plains Beach at the tip of Montauk is New York's most iconic surf beach, with consistent Atlantic swells attracting a devoted surf community. The surrounding Montauk village has excellent seafood restaurants and a relaxed vibe far removed from the Hamptons social scene.
Editor’s tip. Plan ahead for parking — the Ditch Plains lot fills quickly on summer mornings and street parking in the surrounding roads is limited
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- Pristine barrier island national park with car-free beach communities
- restrooms
- showers
- restaurants (in villages)
- boardwalks
- visitor centers
Fire Island National Seashore
A 50-kilometer barrier island with no roads, Fire Island is reached by ferry from Bay Shore and Patchogue. The national seashore protects a stunning stretch of Atlantic beach and dunes, with charming car-free communities including the LGBTQ+ haven of Cherry Grove and The Pines.
Editor’s tip. Check ferry schedules carefully before traveling — the last return ferry defines when day visitors must leave, and missing it strands visitors overnight
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- Legendary NYC boardwalk and funhouse culture — gritty, nostalgic, and uniquely New York
- lifeguards
- restrooms
- showers
- amusement rides
- boardwalk
- restaurants
Coney Island Beach
Coney Island's 4-mile beach on the southern shore of Brooklyn is accessible by NYC subway and has been the working-class summer playground of New Yorkers since the 1890s. The historic boardwalk, the Nathan's Famous hot dogs, the vintage Wonder Wheel, and the Cyclone roller coaster are iconic.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 11 AM on summer weekends — by noon the beach and boardwalk are extremely crowded throughout the central section
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- Surfer-friendly NYC neighborhood beach with a vibrant local culture
- lifeguards
- restrooms
- showers
- surf rental
- food vendors
- NYC Ferry (seasonal)
Rockaway Beach
The Rockaways are Queens' 15-mile barrier peninsula beach, offering surprisingly excellent Atlantic surf within city limits. The Beach 90s neighborhood has undergone a creative renaissance with excellent food vendors, surf schools, and a festival circuit. The NYC Ferry also serves the Rockaways seasonally.
Editor’s tip. The NYC Ferry from Pier 11 is the most scenic route and avoids subway crowding on summer weekends — check seasonal schedules before traveling
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- Upscale and pristine — one of America's most beautiful public beaches
- lifeguards
- restrooms
- showers
- snack bar
- beach chair rentals
- parking ($40/day in summer)
Coopers Beach
Repeatedly voted one of America's top beaches, Coopers Beach in Southampton offers beautiful white sand, calm dunes, and the grand mansions of the Hamptons as its backdrop. The parking fee keeps the crowds manageable by NYC standards.
Editor’s tip. The parking fee (approximately $40 per vehicle on summer weekdays) is what keeps the beach uncrowded — arrive early on weekends as the lot fills before 10 AM
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Fire Island and the Montauk beaches at the end of Long Island offer some of the most serene ocean experiences within reach of NYC
Family
Family-friendly
Jones Beach State Park and Rockaway Beach have lifeguards, amenities, and transit access ideal for families
Sport
Active & sporty
Ditch Plains (Montauk) and Long Beach are the best spots for surfing; Jones Beach hosts excellent volleyball tournaments
Social
Lively scene
Coney Island's boardwalk, Brooklyn's own version of the public beach experience, is the most social and spectacularly New York beach in the state
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in New York memorable.
Surfing
New York has a legitimate surf scene centered on Long Beach and Montauk, with consistent Atlantic swells from late summer storms providing the best waves
Ditch Plains (Montauk), Long Beach, Rockaway Beach
Beach Volleyball
Jones Beach has dedicated volleyball courts; NYC parks organize regular beach volleyball leagues at Coney Island and Rockaway
Jones Beach, Coopers Beach (Southampton)
Fishing
Surfcasting for striped bass and bluefish is a Long Island tradition; boats depart from Montauk for offshore fishing
Montauk, Robert Moses State Park, Jones Beach
Wildlife Watching
Fire Island's natural areas harbor nesting piping plovers, horseshoe crabs (May spawning), and migrating shorebirds
Fire Island National Seashore, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (adjacent to Rockaway)
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
June–September for swimming; May and October are lovely but water is cold (under 60°F / 15°C)
Getting there
All public beaches listed are free to access; some charge for parking ($10–$40 in summer). NYC beaches are reachable by subway or LIRR for no extra charge.
On-beach facilities
State park beaches (Jones Beach, Robert Moses) have full facilities — restrooms, showers, food vendors. NYC beaches (Coney Island, Rockaway) have lifeguards and basic amenities.
Costs to budget
Beach chair and umbrella rentals $15–$40/day at most beaches; surf lessons $75–$120/session at Long Beach and Montauk schools
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about New York’s coast.
How far is Jones Beach from New York City and how do visitors get there?
Jones Beach is approximately 50 km from Midtown Manhattan. By car via the Southern State or Meadowbrook Parkway the drive takes 50–60 minutes without traffic. On summer weekends, the Long Island Rail Road runs from Penn Station to Freeport, where a shuttle bus covers the final stretch to the park.
From the Jones Beach State Park editorial.
Is there a fee to enter Jones Beach State Park?
There is no admission fee, but parking costs $10 per vehicle on weekdays and $15 on weekends during summer. Annual Empire Passport holders park free. All fields charge the same rate under New York State Parks policy.
From the Jones Beach State Park editorial.
How do visitors get to Robert Moses State Park from New York City?
By car, take the Southern State Parkway or Captree State Park Causeway to the Robert Moses Causeway, which leads directly to the parking fields — approximately 80 km and 90 minutes from Manhattan. The LIRR Babylon line stops at Babylon Station, from which rideshare services connect to the causeway. No ferry is required.
From the Robert Moses State Park editorial.
Is there surfing at Robert Moses State Park?
Yes. Parking Field 5, located at the eastern end of the park near the lighthouse, is a popular and consistent surf break. It is unguarded by lifeguards and intended for experienced surfers. Surfboards are prohibited in the lifeguarded swimming areas at Fields 2 through 4.
From the Robert Moses State Park editorial.
Is there a fee to use Long Beach?
Yes, a seasonal beach badge is required for non-residents to access the beach during summer, typically Memorial Day through Labor Day. Daily passes are available at beach entry points. Annual passes offer savings for repeat visitors. Prices are set by the City of Long Beach.
From the Long Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Long Beach by public transit from Manhattan?
The Long Island Rail Road runs the Long Beach branch directly from Penn Station, with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes. Trains run frequently on summer weekends. From Long Beach station, the beach is a 10-minute walk south along Park Avenue.
From the Long Beach editorial.
What is Ditch Plains and why is it famous?
Ditch Plains is the main surf beach in Montauk, at the far eastern tip of Long Island in Suffolk County, New York. It is famous for its consistent Atlantic surf conditions, reef-influenced peaks, and a surfing culture that has thrived here since the 1960s, producing some of the most reliable waves accessible by train from New York City.
From the Montauk Beach / Ditch Plains editorial.
How long does it take to reach Montauk from New York City?
The Long Island Rail Road runs direct and express services from Penn Station to Montauk, taking approximately 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the service. By car on the Long Island Expressway and Montauk Highway, the drive takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours, with heavy traffic common on Friday afternoons in summer.
From the Montauk Beach / Ditch Plains editorial.