Good to know
Good to Know
- NYC beaches are free and accessible by a single $2.90 MetroCard swipe, making them significantly more affordable than nearby regional beaches (Long Island, New Jersey Shore).
- Coney Island and Rockaway Beach are ~12 miles apart; travel between them takes 45–90 minutes by car or 1–1.5 hours by public transit (bus/subway combinations). Plan accordingly if visiting both in one day.
- Manhattan Beach is currently closed for swimming due to water-quality issues—check NYC Parks website before visiting any beach, as sections open/close daily based on lifeguard availability and conditions.
- Dogs are not allowed on NYC beaches between May and September; year-round dog beaches are outside city limits.
- Peak summer weekends draw heavy crowds to Coney Island; Rockaway Beach and Orchard Beach offer relatively quieter alternatives while still accessible by transit.
- Parking at beaches with paid lots ($7–$22) can be expensive and limited on weekends; public transit or ferry are more reliable options.
- Lifeguard coverage ends at 6 p.m.; swimming after hours is prohibited and unsafe. Plan beach visits within 10 a.m.–6 p.m. window.
- Free sunscreen (SPF 30) dispensers are installed at all eight NYC beaches via NYC Parks' partnership with Episcopal Health Services and IMPACT Melanoma.
- Check NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's beach-water-quality page before visiting, or sign up for 'beach notifications' via Notify NYC app for real-time opening/closing alerts.
Overview
New York City maintains 14 miles of beaches across four boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island), all free and open to the public, accessible via public transit (subway cost: $2.90 per journey). Beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday after Labor Day, with lifeguards on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Key Beaches
Coney Island
- Type
- iconic, party/activity-focused
- Access
- Subway: D, Q, F, N to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue (approx. 1 hour from Midtown). Parking: $7 weekdays, $22 weekends/holidays.
- Borough
- Brooklyn
- Atmosphere
- Bursting with activity and crowds, especially weekends.
- Facilities
- Multiple playgrounds, pavilion with snack bar, changing rooms, showers, bathrooms.
- Description
- Famous boardwalk with amusement rides (Luna Park, Deno's Wonder Wheel), three miles of sandy beach, sports courts, restaurants, and food vendors. Coney Island Aquarium nearby. Hosts annual Mermaid Parade (June) and sand-sculpting contests (August).
Rockaway Beach
- Type
- surfing-focused, quieter/casual
- Access
- Subway: A line to Rockaway Park or Beach 90th St. Ferry: from Wall Street or East 34th Street ($4.50 each way). By car: 45 minutes from Manhattan. Free parking at designated lots (B. 11th–15th St, B. 95th St) and street parking.
- Borough
- Queens
- Atmosphere
- Low-key, less crowded than Coney Island even during peak summer, known for surf culture.
- Facilities
- Playgrounds, boardwalk, food concessions, free sunscreen dispensers (16 stations).
- Description
- 11 miles of beachfront with designated legal surfing beaches (Beach 67th-69th, Beach 87th-92nd). Wider beach than Coney Island, boardwalk with food vendors (Rockaway Beach Surf Club, taco vendors, seafood), playgrounds, splash pads.
Brighton Beach
- Type
- family-friendly
- Access
- Subway: same as Coney Island (D, Q, F, N).
- Borough
- Brooklyn
- Atmosphere
- More tranquil than Coney Island.
- Facilities
- Barbecuing allowed, concession stands.
- Description
- Smaller, calmer beach adjacent to Coney Island. Attracts locals with families who set up picnic baskets and barbecues.
Manhattan Beach
- Type
- family-friendly
- Access
- Exit 8 off Belt Parkway.
- Borough
- Brooklyn
- Parking
- $7.00
Monday–Friday
- Atmosphere
- Family-oriented, quieter than neighbors.
- Facilities
- Barbecuing allowed, concession stand, accessible beach with beach mats and wheelchairs (by reservation).
- Parking Weekend
- $22
Weekends/holidays
- Description
- Small, family-friendly beach east of Brighton Beach. Attracts locals and visitors for calmer swimming experience. Note: Currently closed for swimming (all sections).
Orchard Beach
- Type
- family-friendly
- Access
- Subway: 6 train to Pelham Bay Park, then Bx29 bus.
- Borough
- Bronx
- Atmosphere
- Less crowded, family-friendly with scenic views.
- Facilities
- Two picnic areas, 26 courts (basketball, volleyball, handball), concession stands, no restaurants/bars but snack vendors.
- Description
- The Bronx's only public beach; 1.1 miles long, 115 acres. Crescent-shaped with views of City Island. Historic site proclaimed 'The Riviera of New York' in the 1930s.
Wolfe's Pond Beach
- Type
- quiet/secluded
- Access
- Ferry to Staten Island, then bus/car.
- Borough
- Staten Island
- Atmosphere
- Tranquil, low-key, less developed.
- Facilities
- Limited amenities; more natural, undeveloped setting.
- Description
- City's best-kept secret—small, calm, secluded beach perfect for those seeking a retreat away from NYC beach chaos.
Cedar Grove Beach
- Type
- family-friendly, quiet
- Access
- Ferry to Staten Island, then local transport.
- Borough
- Staten Island
- Atmosphere
- Tranquil, family-oriented.
- Facilities
- Smaller, fewer crowds.
- Description
- City's newest beach; converted oceanfront bungalow colony. Smaller and more tranquil than neighboring Midland Beach and South Beach. Often noted for clean water.
Midland Beach
- Type
- family-friendly
- Access
- Ferry to Staten Island, then bus/car.
- Borough
- Staten Island
- Atmosphere
- Family-friendly with activities.
- Facilities
- Playground, Sea Turtle Fountain, food vendors on boardwalk.
- Description
- Shares Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk with South Beach. Somewhat less crowded of the two. Features Sea Turtle Fountain (sprinklers for kids), Playland Playground.
South Beach
- Type
- activity/scenic
- Access
- Ferry to Staten Island, then bus/car.
- Borough
- Staten Island
- Atmosphere
- Active, scenic, popular.
- Facilities
- Boardwalk, water sports, dining nearby.
- Description
- Sunbathing in shadow of Verrazzano Bridge. Popular for biking, jogging on boardwalk, kayaking, tennis, fishing. Features Fountain of Dolphins.
General Info
- Cost
- Free; all beaches are free and open to the public
- Season
- Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday after Labor Day
- Free Sunscreen
- Free SPF 30 sunscreen available at all eight NYC beaches
- Swimming Rules
- Swimming only permitted when lifeguards are on duty; closed sections marked with signs and red flags
- Lifeguard Hours
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during beach season
Transportation
- By Car
- Paid parking available at some beaches; free parking lots at Rockaway Beach (B. 11th–15th, B. 95th); street parking in some areas restricted during summer
- By Ferry
- NYC Ferry serves Rockaway Beach from Wall Street and Lower Manhattan ($4.50 each way)
- By Subway
- MetroCard $2.90 per journey provides access to major beaches
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this beaches research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.