From Heather Cross,
Your Guide to New York City Travel.
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Breezy Point
Rockaway Point Blvd Breezy Point, NY 11697
Private beach

Brighton Beach
Brightwater Ave Brooklyn NY (718)946-1350
Lifeguard hours: Mon-Sun 10am-6pm.
Directions: Q at Brighton Beach

Centerport Beach
Little Neck Road Centerport, NY 11721
Price: $15 if not a Huntington Resident

Cooper Beach
Cooper Neck Road Southampton, NY 11968 (631)283-6011
Parking permit required in summer season; residents only

Coney Island Beach
Surf Ave at Atlantic Shore Brooklyn NY (718)946-1350
Hours: Daily 10am-6pm
Directions: B, D, F, N, R at Stillwell Ave-Coney Island; D, F at W 8th St
Home to the famous Mermaid Parade (every June) this beach is a "must-see." The Original Nathan's hotdog stand is located just off the boardwalk. There are also freak shows and carnival rides nearby when you get tired of relaxing in the sand.

Great Kills Park
Bordered by Hylan Blvd, Currie Ave and Great Kills Ln Staten Island NY (718)351-6970
Lifeguard on duty 10am-6pm

Jones Beach State Park
Ocean Parkway Wantagh, NY 11793 (516)785-1600
Parking fees: $7/day; $49/season
One of the most famous New York area beaches, the Jones Beach amphitheater hosts concerts throughout the summer.

Long Beach
Located on the Atlantic Ocean
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
This beach is a personal favorite of mine. There is ample free parking all around the beach and it didn't appear to require a permit. There is a $6 charge to access the beach, but Boardwalk access is free and in my opinion, the clean beach and soft sand are well worth $6.

Main Beach
Ocean Avenue East Hampton, NY 11937 (631)283-6011
Parking permit required in summer seaso

Manhattan Beach
Atlantic Ocean Brooklyn NY (718)946-1373
Hours: Daily 10am- 6pm
Directions: B1, B49 at Manhattan Beach-Oriental Ave

South and Midland Beaches
Atlantic Ocean Staten Island NY (718) 987-0709
Hours: Daily 10am-6pm.
Directions by bus: Bx51, Bx4, Bx5, Bx6, Bx7, Bx8 to FDR Boardwalk

Robert Moses State Park
Long Island Babylon, NY 11072 (631) 669-0470
Hours: Open Year-Round, Sunrise to Sunset
Directions: 48 miles from Manhattan, via Southern State Parkway to Robert Moses Causeway (exit 40), south to Park at western end of Fire Island

Orchard Beach
Long Island Sound Bronx NY (718)885-3273
Hours: Daily 10:00am- 6:00pm.
Directions: By bus: Bx12; Bx5

Orient Beach State Park
Orient, NY 11957 (631) 323-2440
Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Swimming season opens in late June and continues to early September.
Directions: 118 miles from Manhattan on the north shore via Long Island Expressway (Route 495) east to the end, then Route 25 east to the Park.

Jacob Riis Park
Gateway National Recreation Area Rockaway NY (718)318-4300
Hours: Beach open 24 hours. Lifeguard on duty weekdays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Directions: 2 at Flatbush Ave, then Q35 at the beach.
Parking fees: $4/day
This beach is among the cleaner NYC area beaches and has a topless / clothing-optional area. Facilities are somewhat limited, though there are bathrooms and some vending.

Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk
On Atlantic Ocean, from Beach 1st St., Far Rockaway, to Beach 149th St., Neponsit (718) 318-4000

Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk
Ft Wadsworth to Liberty Ave Staten Island NY
Directions: By bus: Take the 51, x4, x5, x6, x7 or x8 to FDR Boardwalk.

Wolfe's Pond Beach and Park
On Raritan Bay and Prince's Bay, Holten to Cornelia Avenues Staten Island NY (718)984-8266

Wildwood State Park
North Wading River Road Wading River, NY 11792 (631) 929-4314
Directions: 73 miles from Manhattan. Long Island Expressway to exit 68. North on Route 46, to Route 25A east. Left onto Sound Avenue - left at traffic light onto Hulse Landing Road. Park entrance is on the right.

Wolfe's Pond Beach
Hylan Blvd Staten Island NY (718)984-8266
Hours: Mon-Sun 10am
Directions: S56, S78 at Wolfe's Pond Park

If you have a favorite beach in the New York City area, email me at gonyc.guide@about.com and I'll add it to the list!