The best beaches on Long Island, New York

Long Island spans a breathtaking swath of coast, stretching 118 miles northeast from New York Harbor. The sands kick off in Brooklyn at Coney Island and run in an almost uninterrupted strip down a series of islets along the South Shore before eventually reaching the Hamptons.

With so much shoreline, studded all the way with seaside communities, prime surf spots and sandy strands, we dig in to bring you the best beaches on Long Island.

1. Robert Moses State Park, Fire Island

Best for families

Robert Moses State Park, at the western point of Fire Island, is a gorgeously picturesque Atlantic beach with good surf, a family-friendly mini-golf course, fishing piers and plenty of space for groups to spread out beneath gazebos. It’s a can’t-miss beach that attracts nearly 4 million visitors each year.

Planning tip: In addition to more than 5 miles of soft sand, the park offers a nature trail leading to one of the area’s most photogenic landmarks – the Fire Island Lighthouse.

2. Cupsogue Beach, Westhampton

Best for watching whales, dolphins and seals

Snipped off from Fire Island by a nor’easter storm in the 1930s, Cupsogue Beach County Park features white sand beaches that sprawl toward the Atlantic Ocean from the town of Brookhaven, at the western terminus of Dune Rd. In warm months, expect to see plenty of beachgoers soaking up the sun, as well as anglers searching for a bite from striped bass. You may spot humpback whales, dolphins and harbor seals in the area, a reminder of the whaling industry that was once a huge employer along this strip of coast.

Planning tip: Facilities are simple, but there are restrooms and a concession stand; camping is permitted with a permit.

3. Wades Beach, Shelter Island

Best for kayaking

Nature lovers and kayakers will appreciate the calm of Wades Beach, a quiet retreat on the southeast shore of Shelter Island, an island in the bay between the two forks of the eastern tip of Long Island. Shelter Island is protected by The Nature Conservancy’s Mashomack Preserve. Paddlers here can explore tidal creeks, oak woodlands and freshwater marshes before making their way to the shell-strewn sands of Wades Beach. You'll often see the sleek yachts of residents passing by offshore.

Planning tip: Shelter Island's idyllic slices of sand are only accessible via ferry. Take the North Ferry from Greenport, which is reachable via the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), or the South Ferry from North Haven.

4. The Pines, Fire Island

Best LGBTQ+ scene

Fire Island has welcomed the LGBTQ+ community to this Atlantic Ocean beach getaway for close to a century. Few places in the USA boast such a long-standing legacy of inclusiveness as the Pines, and even fewer can rival the Pines for its enthusiastic queer scene. A spectacular harbor, waterfront views, dance parties and drag shows await visitors on arrival. This pedestrian-only town has no cars, just boardwalks and people ferrying party supplies and groceries on hand-pulled wagons.

Planning tip: To get here by public transportation, take the LIRR to Sayville, then hop on the Sayville Ferry to the Pines; a round-trip ticket is 20 US dollars (US$)

5. Hither Hills State Park, Montauk

Best for camping

Get away from it all and camp beside the Atlantic Ocean at Hither Hills State Park. This Montauk-area park has fire rings for campfires as well as tent and RV-friendly campsites, all within steps of a 2-mile stretch of powdery sand and grassy dunes.

Hither Hills is adjacent to a unique Long Island geological feature, the migrating dunes of Montauk, which can reach heights of 80ft and move forward 3.5 inches each year. Enjoy a close-up view of this mysterious feature on the Walking Dunes Trail, accessible from the campground.

Planning tip: Birders can find a veritable avian odyssey spread across a 187-acre sanctuary at the Elizabeth A Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Sag Harbor, 40 minutes from Hither Hills, facing the Great Peconic Bay. The Wild Birds Nature Trail is a 1.2-mile loop through woodland and marshes. You’ll likely run into flocks of wild turkeys year-round, and in spring, the forest becomes a chorus of migrating songbirds.

6. Ocean Beach Park, Long Beach

Best boardwalk

The sprawling stretch of sand at Long Beach is popular with New Yorkers for good reason. At Ocean Beach Park, you can stroll over 4 miles of soft sands, surfers flock here for big waves, and anglers have a home at the purpose-built fishing pier. If inline skating or cycling are your thing, Ocean Beach Park's boardwalk runs for miles.

Planning tip: Get to Long Beach from New York City on the LIRR, then head for the shorefront promenade. You'll need to buy a day pass for the beach at kiosks or online.

7. Ditch Plains Beach, Montauk

Best for surfing

A couple miles past Montauk, at the very edge of Long Island, cliffside views and swells collide at Ditch Plains Beach. The shore here is one of the most popular surf spots on the eastern seaboard. The well-formed Atlantic Ocean waves were the setting for the very first Montauk Point Surfing Championships way back in the 1960s. Reef breaks go left and right; expect to find the largest waves in the autumn.

Detour: Quell your postsurf appetite with sesame noodles, a Greek salad or a poke bowl at the iconic Ditch Witch food truck behind the dunes.

8. Cooper's Beach, Southampton

Best for unwinding

The perfect beach if you want to relax and unwind, Cooper's Beach puts visitors beneath the shadows of sand dunes and swanky Southampton mansions. Luxuries at this Atlantic Ocean beach include a bathhouse, food concessions and umbrella rentals. And while Cooper's Beach comes with a US$55 parking fee, nonresidents are welcome to swing by to get a glimpse of the good life in the Hamptons.

Planning tip: To forgo the pricey beach parking, grab a parking spot in Southampton's town center and rent a bike to make the 2-mile ride to the shore.

9. Coney Island, Brooklyn

Best for amusement parks

You won’t escape the crowds at Coney Island, Brooklyn's famed Atlantic beachfront, but the collection of nostalgic Americana is still hard to beat. The amusement park provides the perfect backdrop, and Coney Island’s proximity to Manhattan makes it an easy afternoon trip for travelers visiting for a short time.

Planning tip: During the summer months, visitors can grab a Nathan’s Famous hot dog and sit beneath the sparkling splendor of free Friday night fireworks over the boardwalk.

10. Jones Beach State Park, Long Island

Best for spreading out

One of the most accessible beaches on Long Island, Jones Beach State Park offers parking for US$10 from late May to early September, so it's a good bet for budget travelers. With more than 6 miles of Atlantic shoreline to explore, there's enough real estate to find your own space to build sandcastles and enjoy a peaceful swim.

Planning tip: Jones Beach's outdoor amphitheater, with 15,000 seats, draws major shows and musicians, so you can coordinate a beach day with a nighttime performance.