Heading to New York for your next holiday? It couldn’t be better… With its beautiful beaches offering unique programs and activities to choose from, the Empire State is sure to provide you with a magical time.
New York’s beaches attract a host of tourists every year. Be prepared to rub shoulders with many vacationers and locals eager to soak up the sun and swim. But if you want a quiet time, go on a weekday.
Enough blathering now, here are the 10 most popular beaches in New York.
Coney Island Beach
Located just a few minutes from Manhattan, Coney Island Beach attracts a large number of visitors every year. Its beautiful sandy beach is over 6 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide.
It is easily accessible and is located near the famous Luna Park amusement park. The beach is well maintained and there are handball, beach volleyball and basketball courts.
Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach, nicknamed “Little Odessa”, is a neighbourhood located in the southernmost part of the borough of Brooklyn in New York, along the Coney Island peninsula.
Ideal for a quiet holiday, Brighton Beach is known for its Russian-speaking immigrant population, mainly from Russia and Ukraine.
The programme includes water parks, marine life, spas, seaside walks, restaurants, bars and cultural art.
Orchard Beach and City Island
Orchard Beach is a beach in the Bronx that stretches for 11 kilometres. It offers a wide range of programs: hiking trails, bike paths, horseback riding, golf courses, canoeing and kayaking, sports fields (basketball, volleyball and handball), tennis courts and picnic areas.
Take the opportunity to walk to City Island, which is within walking distance of the beach. This blessed little island is known for its many restaurants serving up delicious lobster dishes.
Staten Island beach
The beach is ideal for sunbathing while enjoying a beautiful view of the Verrazzano Bridge. It is regularly maintained and supervised during the summer season. Please note that swimming is not permitted when lifeguards are not present.
You can discover the famous Fountain of Dolphins, an iconic feature of South Beach Staten Island. And for food, there are food courts throughout the area.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Beach
Between Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge is a nicely landscaped beach called Brooklyn Bridge Park Beach at Pier 4. Open throughout the summer from June onwards, it offers picnic tables, cabins, showers and lockers for storing personal belongings.
Pier 4 is a sandy beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park, ideal for sunbathing or making sandcastles. Please note! Swimming is not allowed.
Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach, located between Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is one of New York’s most vibrant cities. This beautiful sandy beach is 11 kilometres long. The beach is ideal for swimming and board sports, and many visitors come here to surf.
The beach also offers playgrounds, shops, restaurants of all kinds and affordable food trucks.
Long Beach
Located on the south coast of Long Island, Long Beach offers a rich and varied programme for you to enjoy with family, friends or couples. The warm water is great for swimming, while the generous waves captivate surfing enthusiasts.
Events not to be missed are the craft festival, the volleyball tournaments on the beach, the Escape Game… However, there is a small drawback: access is not free and costs 12 dollars for people over 13 years old.
Robert Moses State Park
Robert Moses State Park has a 5-mile beach where a stream of visitors come with families and groups to swim, surf, picnic and fish.
The famous Pitch & Putt is open to golfers from early April to mid-November. If you prefer volleyball, you can play on the courts east of Democrat Point.
Want to enjoy your seaside holiday in the simplest of clothes? A nudist beach is available near Robert Moses Beach, Field 5.
Sunken Meadow State Park
Sunken Meadow State Park is a 5.21 square mile state park located on the north side of Long Island. Open year-round from sunrise to sunset, Sunken Meadow Beach is perfect for family swimming.
Also on the programme: walking, hiking for amateurs and the more experienced, cycling, horse riding, water sports, playgrounds and golf.
Jones Beach
This 10 km long beach offers a rich and varied programme of swimming, fishing, miniature golf, basketball, cycling and water sports. Jones Beach is easily accessible with ample parking available.
You can also take part in many events such as the Bethpage Air Show, 4th of July fireworks show, concerts in the theatre, cartoon shows, softball and volleyball league tournaments.
Map of the most beautiful beaches in New York
The beaches of New York can sometimes be more than an hour away from Manhattan, and are more suitable for families who are planning a long stay and want to take a break for a few days at the beach. That’s why you can find in the map below the list of beaches mentioned above. It’s up to you if you want to spend a relaxing day on a beach close to Manhattan or get away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.
Practical information on the different beaches in New York
Although the beaches may be within a few hours of each other, they do not all offer the same services or cater for the same types of visitor. Some will be more suitable for families while others will be assaulted by surfers. Find below the services provided for each beach.
| Toilettes | Douches | Restaurants | Fitness | Wifi | Parking | Accès handicapé | Surf | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coney Island Beach | ||||||||
| Brighton Beach | ||||||||
| Orchard Beach | ||||||||
| Staten Island Beach | ||||||||
| Pier 4 Beach | ||||||||
| Rockaway Beach | ||||||||
| Long Beach | ||||||||
| Robert Moses Beach | ||||||||
| Sunken Meadow Beach | ||||||||
| Jones Beach |
Now you know where to go to spend your most beautiful days of idleness, whether with friends, family or in a group. Have a great holiday!
