15 Best Beaches in New York
The well-known state of New York receives tens of thousands of tourists every year.
You can engage in a wide range of activities in the Empire State, including shopping, attending amusing live performances, viewing museums, touring stunning state parks, and, best of all, having fun at its many fantastic beaches.
Surfing, sand volleyball, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, sea kayaking, and other water sports are among the many enjoyable activities available on New York’s beaches.
Prepare for the trip of a lifetime as you browse this list of the top beaches in New York that I selected to make it simple for you to choose the ideal stretch of sand.
- Coney Island Beach — Brooklyn
One of the greatest beaches in New York is Coney Island Beach.
It is close to several other well-known tourist attractions and has a wonderful boardwalk.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Coney Island Beach is a must-visit if you want to take your friends, family, or significant other on a relaxing beach vacation.
Here, you may engage in a variety of exciting pursuits, including playing a game of beach basketball or volleyball against your friends, surfing large waves, tanning while lying on the sand, watching fireworks displays in the summer, and much more.
Expert Tip
Be sure to check out the various sights close by, such as the New York Aquarium, which is only a 2-minute drive from Coney Island Beach.
You may see thousands of sea species from all over the world at this well-known aquarium.
- Brighton Beach — Brooklyn
Brighton Beach is a lovely stretch of shoreline with mesmerizing seaside views.
It is a local favorite and is supported by a few lodging facilities, dining establishments, and tourism destinations.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Brighton Beach comes highly recommended if you’re looking for a pleasant beach to visit with your traveling companions.
ADA-accessible facilities, attentive lifeguards available to assist at all times, clean restrooms, and a plethora of other amenities are just a few of the many things our world-class coastline has to offer.
This beach is the place to be whether you want to take part in exciting water activities or would rather relax on the sand and sunbathe.
Expert Tip
Dine at Tatiana Restaurant if you’re seeking a fantastic location to delight in a delectable dinner and entertaining performance.
Exquisite Russian cuisine and brilliant artists’ Vegas-style shows are served at this beachside restaurant.
- Jones Beach State Park — Wantagh
Located on the picturesque barrier island of Jones Beach Island is Jones Beach, State Park.
It has gorgeous cerulean water, a sugary white beach, and a boatload of amenities.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Millions of people visit Jones Beach State Park every year, making it one of New York’s most well-liked beaches.
You can play beach volleyball, bodyboard, surf fish, toss a Frisbee around, surf, and so on. There are also a ton of other activities you can enjoy doing here.
For a more pleasant stay, the area’s shoreline is home to a variety of facilities, including well-trained lifeguards, picnic areas for cooking and eating meals, easily accessible showers perfect for cleaning up after a long day, and more.
Expert Tip
Beach wheelchairs are available for free rental if you are traveling with someone who is physically unable.
The wheelchairs are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited in number.
- Orchard Beach — The Bronx
Family-friendly Orchard Beach is a man-made stretch of beachfront.
It has a sandy beach, clear water, and lovely scenery.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Make lifelong memories at Orchard Beach with the people you love while enjoying the ultimate holiday.
The nicest swimming beach in New York is here, as well as the safest beach for kids.
This region has fine, soft sand, many experienced lifeguards on duty, and waves that are often quieter.
For added security, officials also keep a careful eye on the water.
Together, you may engage in a variety of activities, including making sandcastles with the kids, playing games like handball, volleyball, or basketball, splashing in the refreshing sea, keeping an eye on the kids while they play on the playground, and many more.
Expert Tip
Spending extra time and effort to pack a picnic for your family is not necessary.
There are numerous food vendors providing delicious food at Orchard Beach, including fried chicken, nachos, onion rings, hot dogs, french fries, shish kabobs, and more.
- Jacob Riis Park Beach — Queens
The People’s Beach is another name for Jacob Riis Park Beach.
It is conveniently accessible and provides beachgoers with a variety of leisure opportunities.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Are you trying to find a beach that’s convenient for different forms of public transportation?
If so, Jacob Riis Park Beach is a must-visit.
There are bus stops nearby, as well as a train station.
Clean, well-kept, and with a variety of on-site facilities for your convenience, this stunning beachfront is also easily accessible.
A few of these are showers to wash off the sand, vendors offering a broad variety of goods, and lifeguards watching after you and your friends.
Expert Tip
Jacob Riis Park Beach is split up into a variety of distinct portions by bays.
Avoid the Bay 1 area if you’re going with kids.
It is not a kid-friendly area of the beach, and there is no dress code.
- Main Beach — East Hampton
Main Beach is gorgeous, with a sun-kissed beachfront and mesmerizing views of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is the best beach for participating in water sports.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Consider the well-known Main Beach when seeking for great New York beach destinations to visit with your traveling companions.
Have a memorable experience while engaging in a variety of exciting sports, such as sea kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, kiteboarding, building sand sculptures, tanning, taking countless photos together, and many more.
It also has a ton of amenities like welcoming lifeguards who are always on duty, a big parking lot, spotless restrooms, benches where you can sit and enjoy the cool ocean breeze, and so on.
Expert Tip
Visit Skywalk Kiteboarding if you want to learn how to kiteboard if you don’t already know how.
You can take lessons here with varying degrees of difficulty while working with a qualified expert.
- Ocean Beach Park — Long Beach
With its diamond-white sand beachfront and brilliant azure ocean, Ocean Beach Park is one of New York’s most picturesque beaches.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Enjoy yourself at Ocean Beach Park with your partner, friends, or loved ones.
It boasts a lot of amenities, including sand volleyball courts for entertaining games, watchful lifeguards on duty, ramps for launching boats, a 2.2-mile wooden boardwalk, and more.
At Ocean Beach Park, you may enjoy a delicious picnic with your traveling companions, construct sandcastles or sculptures, play volleyball, teach your kids how to fish, go surfing, and so much more.
Expert Tip
Summer is the best season to explore this coastline for a more enjoyable trip.
This season, you can attend free live concerts on selected days of the week and compete in volleyball events.
- Midland Beach — Staten Island
The numerous attractions at Midland Beach make it a popular stretch of shoreline.
The shoreline is golden, the boardwalk is long, and the ocean vistas are breathtaking.
Why We Recommend This Beach
If you’re looking for a beach resort with a ton of amenities but want something more laid-back and peaceful, go to Midland Beach.
You may have a stress-free and pleasant trip thanks to the various services and facilities along this coastline.
It has paved paths for biking and skating, sports courts, a playground, and grills perfect for scrumptious hotdogs and hamburgers. It also has stations where you can charge your phone.
It is the ideal location for you to enjoy a fun-filled beach getaway while participating in a variety of activities.
Like tanning, taking leisurely ocean swims, playing beach volleyball, tennis, or shuffleboard, sea kayaking or canoeing, and so many more activities.
Expert Tip
Are you on vacation with a person who needs a wheelchair?
If so, consider renting a beach mat, so they can walk down the sand.
- Rockaway Beach — Far Rockaway
Rockaway Beach is a popular surfing location.
It has a large shoreline with smooth sand and sparkling water, as well as several facilities.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Does surfing rank among your top passions?
Do you wish to ride the tall waves on your vacation?
Then Rockaway Beach is what I advise.
Surfers can have an adrenaline-pumping time on their boards along this gorgeous shoreline.
Other enjoyable activities include fishing, having a seaside barbecue with your traveling companions, strolling, going for a walk, viewing the spectacular sunset, and many more.
Expert Tip
This area is home to many excellent eateries, including Whit’s End.
You may enjoy delectable foods, including fresh seafood, steak, and pizza, at this Italian restaurant, which is only a 2-minute drive from Rockaway Beach.
It periodically hosts live performances by talented performers, including musicians, singers, comedians, DJs, and magicians.
- Fort Tilden Beach — Queens
Fort Tilden Beach, a secluded beach paradise, is the perfect place for secluded beach enjoyment.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Are you looking for the most tranquil, sparsely populated shoreline to travel along?
If so, head straight over to Fort Tilden Beach.
This picturesque coastline is the ideal location for you to escape the stress of everyday life and take a peaceful vacation.
You can unwind here by reading a nice book, having a stroll while admiring the gorgeous environment, watching the gentle waves, swimming in the cool seas, building sandcastles, and doing many other activities.
Expert Tip
The food options at Fort Tilden Beach are limited, so be sure to pack a picnic and other essentials.
- Robert Moses State Park Beach — Massena
Robert Moses State Park Beach is a beautiful stretch of beachfront with lifeguard protection that offers a marina, rental facilities, close-by hiking trails, and much more.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Consider Robert Moses State Park Beach if you wish to visit a picturesque beach and take in the natural surroundings.
With your friends, you may enjoy a variety of activities along this coastline, such as boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking, tanning, playing ball, picnicking, admiring the splendor of an auburn sunset, and countless other options.
Expert Tip
Robert Moses State Park provides cabins and cottages for rent if you want to spend the night but don’t want to set up a tent.
- Manhattan Beach — Brooklyn
Both tourists and residents enjoy visiting Manhattan Beach during the summer.
It has a welcoming atmosphere ideal for an enjoyable day out.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Prepare for a relaxing day at Manhattan Beach by packing sunscreen and a swimsuit.
If you’re seeking clean, well-kept beaches with clear water in New York, this beach is just what you need.
Playing sand volleyball, handball, basketball, or tennis are just a few of the entertaining activities you can enjoy at this beach. You can also grill delectable hamburgers for an oceanfront picnic, go swimming in the clear water, and more.
Expert Tip
At Manhattan Beach, parking can be rather expensive.
Take public transportation if you want to save money and have a more affordable beach vacation.
- Amsterdam Beach State Park Beach — Montauk
The beach at Amsterdam Beach State Park is often referred to as Amsterdam Beach Preserve.
It is a pristine coastline with an incredibly beautiful setting.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Going on a trip to Amsterdam Beach State Park Beach will allow you to appreciate the beauty of a natural shoreline.
The tranquility of this lovely beach is the perfect setting for you to spend quality time with your significant other or friends.
Surfing, exploring the local hiking trails, sunbathing, taking a romantic stroll hand-in-hand with your sweetheart, and many other exciting activities are among the fun-filled things you may do on your beach getaway.
Expert Tip
At Amsterdam Beach State Park Beach, there aren’t any facilities or amenities, so make sure you bring everything you’ll need, such as food, drinks, sunscreen, towels, and so forth.
- Wades Beach — Shelter Island
Family vacationers can enjoy Wades Beach.
It has a sandy shoreline, emerald sea, and breathtaking sunset views.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Enjoy a terrific day at Wades Beach with your friends or family.
By flying kites, swimming, helping your children build sand castles of all sizes and forms, picnicking, and engaging in a variety of other activities along this lovely shoreline, you may make new memories.
Here, you will find a few conveniences like attentive lifeguards, a roped-off section offering additional protection for you and your companions, easily accessible restrooms, etc.
Expert Tip
Before going to the beach, do you need to refuel and make a few purchases?
If you do, visit Elli’s Country Store.
Gas refills, food purchases, and purchases of booze, snacks, and other basics are all possible here.
- South Beach — Staten Island
One of New York’s top beaches is South Beach.
It offers a lengthy boardwalk, breathtaking ocean vistas, and sun-kissed coastlines.
Why We Recommend This Beach
By visiting South Beach, you can make the most of your break.
You can enjoy some much-needed alone time along this coastline while engaging in a variety of entertaining activities with your traveling companions.
You may go kayaking, fishing, fishing with your kids, swimming in the clear water, playing chess, tanning, picnicking with them, walking on the boardwalk, and so many other things.
Expert Tip
If you want to cycle but don’t want to bring your heavy bike, you can choose to rent one from Wheel Fun Rentals.
There are numerous variants available, including two-seaters and models with three wheels.