The Top 5 Beaches in New York City

Brooklyn's gloriously scruffy beach playground: a free sand beach, the boardwalk, the 1927 Cyclone coaster, Deno's Wonder Wheel, and a Nathan's hot dog at the original 1916 stand. It's a real neighborhood, not a theme park — a little faded, totally beloved. Rides run seasonally (roughly late March through fall); summer weekends are packed.

NYC's only legal surfing beach and the locals' pick over Coney Island — 5.5 miles of real ocean sand in Queens, reachable by subway or a gorgeous ferry ride. Beach season runs May 23 to September 13 in 2026, lifeguards 10am-6pm. Caveat: lifeguard shortages can close sections, and it's a genuine trek from Manhattan.

A wide, sandy Atlantic Ocean beach stretching east of Coney Island, Brighton Beach has a distinctly Russian-Ukrainian community flavor that makes it feel unlike anywhere else in the city. The boardwalk is lined with Eastern European restaurants and shops, making it ideal for a beach day followed by a meal at one of the nearby cafes. The water quality is generally good and the crowds are lighter than Coney Island proper. Subway access is straightforward on the B and Q trains, though the beach itself can get crowded on summer weekends.

Jacob Riis Park is a National Park Service beach at the western tip of the Rockaway Peninsula, offering a wide, beautiful Atlantic Ocean beach with an Art Deco bathhouse that is a NYC landmark. It draws a diverse, progressive crowd and has historically been welcoming to LGBTQ+ beachgoers, particularly at the western end. The beach is expansive enough that you can almost always find a quiet stretch even on busy summer days. Getting here without a car requires a ferry from Bay Ridge or a combination of subway and bus, which is manageable but takes planning.

Known as 'The Riviera of the Bronx,' Orchard Beach is a man-made crescent-shaped beach on Long Island Sound within Pelham Bay Park, the largest park in NYC. The calm, protected waters make it excellent for families with young children, and the Latin Caribbean cultural atmosphere — with music, food vendors, and lively crowds — gives it a festive energy unlike any other city beach. Parking is available but fills fast on summer weekends; the BX12 bus is a reliable alternative. Water quality has historically been inconsistent, so check NYC Parks Department advisories before swimming.

Manhattan Beach is a quiet, upscale Brooklyn neighborhood beach at the eastern end of the Coney Island peninsula, offering a calm, well-maintained stretch of Atlantic Ocean shoreline that feels worlds away from the Coney Island crowds. The surrounding neighborhood is leafy and residential, and the beach attracts a local, low-key crowd of families and regulars. There are no rides or amusements — just a clean beach, calm water, and a pleasant park. It's not well-served by subway (the B/Q stop at Brighton Beach requires a walk), so many visitors arrive by car or bike.

Wolfe's Pond Beach is a hidden gem within Wolfe's Pond Park on Staten Island's south shore, offering a small, tranquil freshwater pond beach alongside a separate bay beach on Raritan Bay. The park's wooded trails and picnic areas make it a full day-trip destination, and the low crowds give it a genuinely serene, almost rural feel. It's one of the least-known beaches in the five boroughs, beloved by Staten Island locals. The commute from Manhattan is long — ferry plus bus — so plan accordingly and treat it as a half-day or full-day excursion.

South Beach sits along the eastern shore of Staten Island facing Lower New York Bay and features a 2.5-mile historic boardwalk — one of the longest in the world — that is excellent for walking, cycling, and rollerblading. The beach itself is sandy and well-maintained, with calmer surf than the Atlantic-facing Rockaway beaches. It's far less crowded than Brooklyn or Queens beaches, making it a genuine local escape. Getting here requires the Staten Island Ferry plus a bus or rideshare, which deters casual visitors and keeps the vibe relaxed.