Beaches · New York City · United States
The best beaches in and near New York City
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
The best-known beach is Coney Island and Brighton Beach (About 20 km from Midtown; 1 hour by D, F, N or Q subway). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in July–September.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- July–September
- Warmest sea
- 23°C (73°F)
The beaches
About 20 km from Midtown; 1 hour by D, F, N or Q subway · Families and people-watching
1.Coney Island and Brighton Beach
Wide, lifeguarded sand beside the boardwalk and amusement parks, with Russian and Ukrainian restaurants in Brighton Beach next door; busy on summer weekends.
About 30 km; 1 hour by A train or NYC Ferry · Surfing and a local crowd
2.Rockaway Beach
Queens' long Atlantic beach has a boardwalk with food stalls, designated surfing areas and a laid-back summer scene.
About 30 km; bus from the subway or ferry, then a short walk · Quieter sand
3.Jacob Riis Park
A quieter beach on the Rockaway Peninsula, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, with an Art Deco bathhouse.
About 50 km; LIRR to Freeport, then a seasonal bus · Long, wide sand and families
4.Jones Beach
A huge state park beach on Long Island with about 10 km of white sand, an outdoor amphitheatre and family facilities.
About 40 km; about 1 hour by LIRR · An easy train-to-beach day
5.Long Beach
A barrier-island city with a boardwalk and a broad sandy beach a short walk from the station; a beach pass is charged in summer.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C (41°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
| February | 4°C (39°F) | 6°C (43°F) |
| March | 5°C (41°F) | 10°C (50°F) |
| April | 8°C (46°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| June | 18°C (64°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| July | 22°C (72°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| August | 23°C (73°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| September | 21°C (70°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| October | 17°C (63°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| November | 12°C (54°F) | 12°C (54°F) |
| December | 8°C (46°F) | 7°C (45°F) |
Staying near the beach
Getting to the beaches
- Metro — The subway runs 24 hours a day.
- Bus — Buses run along the avenues and across town, useful for east–west trips the subway covers poorly; Select Bus Service routes are faster, with all-door boarding.
- Ferry — NYC Ferry boats link Manhattan with Brooklyn, Queens, the Rockaways and the Bronx at low fares, and the Staten Island Ferry is free.
- Train — Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North commuter trains from Penn Station and Grand Central reach the beaches, the Hudson Valley and the suburbs.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in September. None of them is peak season, so beaches stay manageable.
Beach safety
New York is generally safe in the areas visitors frequent, but pickpockets work crowded spots such as Times Square and busy subway trains. Costumed characters and people handing out 'free' CDs expect payment, and late at night it is best to ride in busy subway cars. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does New York City have beaches?
Yes: Coney Island and Brighton Beach, Rockaway Beach, Jacob Riis Park, Jones Beach and Long Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in New York City?
Usually July–September, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near New York City?
Coney Island and Brighton Beach: Wide, lifeguarded sand beside the boardwalk and amusement parks, with Russian and Ukrainian restaurants in Brighton Beach next door; busy on summer weekends.