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Where to Find New York City’s Best Beaches

It can be difficult to choose New York City’s best beaches. With 14 miles of public beaches that are free, open to all, and just a subway, bus, or ferry ride away, there really is something for everyone.

And even though New Yorkers are well known for their highly-respectable resilience to long frigid winters, they also enjoy escaping the concrete jungle for a sandy beach with cool ocean breezes during the summer months.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about the best beaches New York City has to offer.

Father at son at one of New York City's best beaches
Coney Island is the perfect place for a New Yorker to spend a fun beach day. Photo credit: Nelson Ndongala

Coney Island

In addition to three miles of sandy beach, Coney Island features amusement park rides (including the world-famous Cyclone roller coaster, and the Wonder Wheel), burlesque and sideshows entertainment, the New York Aquarium, fireworks displays, and lots of classic summertime food (the hot dog was reportedly invented there). 

Coney Island is reachable via the D, F, N and Q subway lines, the journey from midtown Manhattan takes approximately one hour.  Check out our tips for exploring Coney Island.

People on the beach at Coney Island
Enjoy Coney Island, eat a hot dog, explore the amusement park. Photo credit: Julie Ricard

Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach, just east of Coney Island, is known as “Little Odessa” for its Russian immigrant community (and delicious Russian eateries). It’s a smaller, more relaxed version of the Coney Island beach so, if you’re looking for a quieter day, or the opportunity to explore Russian gastronomy, this might be the place for you to visit.

Brighton Beach is one of the best beaches in New York City
You can walk from Coney Island to Brighton Beach easily. Photo credit: Daniel Schwen

Manhattan Beach

In order to get to Manhattan Beach, take the subway B or Q to Brighton Beach. Once you’re in Brighton Beach, take the B1 bus to Orient Blvd. & Ocean Ave. (4 minutes/8 stops) or walk (just under a mile). 

As they’re not very far away from each other, it’s a great opportunity to see these different beaches and find the one that suits your mood for the day.

Manhattan Beach is one of New York City's best beaches
Why not make a day out of it? Take a walk, or ride a bike, and visit some of the best beaches in New York. Photo credit: Amalia Kasparov

Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach is the largest urban beach in the nation. It stretches for miles along the Rockaway Peninsula, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Beach goers can enjoy the sand and water, boardwalk, food concessions, and the city’s only surfing beach.

Take the A train from Manhattan (make sure it’s headed to Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue) to Beach 67 Street. For the popular western beaches, exit the train at Broad Channel, and transfer to the S shuttle. The journey should take 90–105 minutes from midtown Manhattan.

NYC Beach Bus offers shuttle bus service from Downtown Brooklyn & Williamsburg to Rockaway and Jacob Riis Park on weekends and holidays.

People surfing in Rockaway Beach NYC
Rockaway Beach is one of the best places in New York City to go surfing. Photo credit: Hayley Pfitzer

Jacob Riis Park

Jacob Riis Park is at the southwestern end of the Rockaway Peninsula, between Fort Tilden and Rockaway Beach, and includes a boardwalk, an Art Deco bathhouse with exhibits, ball courts, and free kayaking.

While the park does have food concessions, it’s advisable to bring a picnic, since concessions are not always open.

The easiest way to get to the park from Manhattan is the New York Beach Ferry, a weekend shuttle between Pier 11 at Wall Street, and the Rockaways. The park can also be reached via a combination of subway and city bus (the journey takes between 90 minutes and two hours from midtown Manhattan).

Jacob Riis Park has one of New York City's best beaches.
Enjoy the beach, the Art Deco bathhouse with exhibits, and more. Photo credit: Padraic

Orchard Beach

Orchard Beach is located in the Bronx’s huge Pelham Bay Park. This one-mile-long beach on Long Island Sound is called “The Riviera of New York.” 

It includes a promenade, a pavilion with food stores, playgrounds, two picnic areas, and courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball.

Take the 6 subway line to its last stop (Pelham Bay Park). Just outside the station, transfer to the Bx29 bus toward City Island (5 mins, 3 stops, ask the driver). From the bus stop, there is a one-mile walk through the park.

Orchard Beach is one of New York City's best beaches
This one-mile-long beach can get crowded at some points, but if you don’t mind walking, you’ll find a spot for yourself. Photo credit: Bebo2good1

Midland Beach

Midland Beach, located on Staten Island, just beyond the Narrows and facing the Atlantic, is a two and a half mile sandy stretch that also includes South Beach and the F.D.R. Boardwalk. 

The beach includes areas for barbecue, restrooms, a restaurant, and fishing pier. To reach the beach from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, take bus S51 (32 mins) just outside of it.

From Manhattan, take Staten Island Express Bus X1 to Highland Blvd./Midland Ave. (35 mins, 17 stops), then walk the half mile to the beach. 

Midland Beach is one of New York City's best beaches for walking.
If you enjoy walking, Midland Beach will definitely hit the spot for you. Photo credit: Shannon McGee

Going farther than New York City’s best beaches

The Long Island Rail Road offers getaways to the beaches of Long Island, a bit farther away from New York City, but still in the State of New York.

You can discover extraordinary beaches, such as Jones Beach, Long Beach, and Fire Island beaches.

The packages include round-trip rail tickets and transfers for local bus or ferry service.  See the LIRR’s Beach Getaways site for schedules, prices, and details.

large house on beach front in New York State
Long Island’s beaches are known for their long stretches of white sand. Photo credit: Sue Elias

New York City’s beach rules

NYC’s beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. During beach season, lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections. Closed sections are marked with signs and/or red flags. Visitors must be off the beaches from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The NYC Parks Department prohibits the following on beaches:

  • Littering and all glass containers.
  • Smoking and alcohol.
  • Barbecuing, open fires, and tents or shelters.
  • Amplified music.
  • Dogs on the sand from May 1st until October 1st.
  • Snorkels, fins, rafts, or other flotation devices.
  • Fishing, except in designated areas.

Visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s New York City Area Beaches page for water quality advisories or closures before you head to the beach.

Brighton Beach NYC, follow safety instructions
Remember to follow beach rules and safety signs when visiting NYC’s beaches. Photo credit: Elisa Cabizzosu

Update Notice: This post was updated on February 15, 2024.

After spending a day enjoying NYC’s best beaches, you’ll definitely need a good meal. Why not check out one of our popular New York City Food Tours?  From new foodie favorites to legendary NYC haunts, our local New Yorker guides will take you on one of the most memorable food tours in town.

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About the author

Fiona's an Irish travel writer who has made New York City her home for the past 10 years. While she frequently returns to Dublin, she's captivated by the vibrant food, diverse people, and rich culture of NYC. Fiona's passion for travel extends beyond NYC and her homeland—she frequently explores new destinations, documenting her adventures and sharing her lively stories.

More by Fiona F.

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