New York City is the largest city in the United States, a dense metropolis of five boroughs at the mouth of the Hudson River. It is home to the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Broadway, world-class museums, the Brooklyn Bridge, and one of the most diverse food scenes on earth. The city runs day and night on an extensive subway system.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in New York City.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- boardwalk food vendors
- surf rentals
Rockaway Beach (Beach 90th-116th Streets)
Long sandy Atlantic beach with a boardwalk, food vendors and surf zones.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- boardwalk food
- amusement rides
Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk
Wide sandy beach beside Luna Park, the Cyclone and Nathan's Famous.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- boardwalk cafes
Brighton Beach
Beach and boardwalk beside a Russian and Ukrainian restaurant district.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- concessions
- pavilion
Orchard Beach
Mile-long crescent beach on Long Island Sound, known as the Bronx Riviera.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- food vendors
- bathhouse
Jacob Riis Park Beach
Art Deco bathhouse and a wide ocean beach in Gateway National Recreation Area.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- concessions
- fishing pier
South Beach and FDR Boardwalk
Calm beach with a 2.5-mile boardwalk and sunset views of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
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- Restrooms; limited lifeguards
- check nps.gov/gate for guarded areas
Fort Tilden Beach
A quieter beach in Gateway National Recreation Area with old military bunkers and dunes.
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- Restrooms
- food vendors
- bike rentals
Governors Island Shoreline Park
Not a swimming beach; a car-free island with harbor lawns, hammocks and shoreline seating with skyline views.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- surf shops
- food
Rockaway Beach at Beach 67th Street (Surf Beach)
Designated surf beach with lifeguards and nearby shops.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- grills
- volleyball courts
Manhattan Beach
Smaller beach with grills, picnic areas and volleyball courts.
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- Lifeguards
- restrooms
- boardwalk
Midland Beach
Broad sand beach with a boardwalk on Staten Island.
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.