27 May New York City’s Public Beaches Are Open for the Summer

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced that the City’s public beaches are open for swimming from Saturday, May 25, and remain open through Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimming is unsafe and strictly prohibited at all other times. Closed sections are marked with signs and/or red flags.

All NYC Parks beaches are free and open to the general public.

“Our free public beaches are an essential part of summer for New Yorkers,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “They’re great places to cool off, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends, and we’re committed to making sure that all of our beaches are clean, safe, and attractive destinations. There’s so much to see and do at our beaches, from a new nature preserve in the Rockaways to the iconic amusement rides in Coney Island, and we’re thrilled to welcome back New Yorkers and visitors for another season of summer fun!”

This year, Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of the 25 best beaches in the United States included two New York City beaches: Rockaway Beach and Coney Island Beach. The magazine called Rockaway Beach “heaven” for New Yorkers, who can “hop on a subway or bus to reach its white sand, five-mile boardwalk, and surf-worthy waves.” Of Coney Island, Travel + Leisure stated, “If you’re seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without having to go too far, Coney Island is a perfect seaside wonderland of nostalgia and kitschy fun.”

City beaches span a total of 14 miles and include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach on Staten Island.

Brooklyn
Coney Island offers an ideal respite from the hectic and steamy city. With nearly three miles of sandy beaches, Coney Island’s sunny skies and rolling waves make for the perfect summer getaway. If your idea of beach fun involves more than just soaking up the sun, Coney Island also offers plenty of recreation choices such as beach volleyball and handball, as well as playgrounds and amusement rides. Enjoy the New York Aquarium, take in a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game, or enjoy boardwalk rides including the historic Deno’s Wonder Wheel, legendary Cyclone roller coaster or New York City’s newest coaster, the Phoenix. Named one of the top 25 beaches in the United States this year by Travel + Leisure magazine, Coney Island’s beaches and boardwalk offer hours of entertainment for a perfect day at the shore!

The Bronx
Orchard Beach, the Bronx’s sole public beach, was proclaimed “The Riviera of New York City” when it was created in the 1930’s. Today, it remains a family friendly destination for summer fun, as visitors can cool off with a refreshing swim or soak up the sun at the 1.1-mile-long beach. Orchard Beach also features playgrounds, picnic areas, and courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and handball. With a reconstruction of the historic, landmarked Orchard Beach Pavilion well underway and the renovation of the Orchard Beach Nature Center nearly complete, Parks is investing in the future of Orchard Beach as a summer destination for generations of beachgoers to come.

Queens
Rockaway Beach, one of New York City’s finest beach towns, welcomes visitors back to a replenished beach for a summer of coastal fun. Rockaway Beach is home to the city’s only designated surfing areas and its boardwalk has become known for its diverse concessions which sell both local and international cuisine, including Venezuelan, Caribbean, Peruvian, wood-fired pizza, raw bar and lobsters, and more! While there are so many different and exciting activities along the boardwalk, we have added more recreational and educational opportunities, including the Arverne East Nature Preserve, a new community resource that supports five unique maritime ecosystems across 35-acres, with pedestrian paths carefully integrated into the landscape providing access from the beach and boardwalk. We were also proud to reopen the Bayside Playground following an over $1.6 million investment to reconstruct the public restroom. As part of the ongoing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Atlantic Shoreline Resiliency Project, this summer will also see ongoing work on the reinforced dune, a nature-based storm and flood barrier for the community. Earlier this year, work was completed on the system of stone groins that provide stabilization for a re-nourished sand beach and dune and maintain the protective beach profile. Also coming this summer, a partnership with Queens College will bring new arts and culture programming to Rockaway Beach and locations throughout Queens. With all these great developments, it’s easy to see why Rockaway Beach was honored this year on Travel + Leisure’s list of the best 25 beaches in the United States!

Staten Island
Staten Island is home to four of New York City’s public beaches: Cedar Grove Beach, Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach. Visitors to South Beach can sunbathe while enjoying lovely views of the Verrazzano Bridge, bike through a scenic trail, or enjoy a stop at the popular Fountain of Dolphins, which features six bronze dolphin figures that are illuminated at night. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk connects South Beach with neighboring Midland Beach, which offers swimming as well as a playground, bocce and shuffleboard courts, bike rentals, kayak launch sites. Stop by the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier, which boasts spectacular views in addition to excellent fishing opportunities. Cedar Grove, the city’s newest beach, is a charming and tranquil location popular with kayakers and local families. Wolfe’s Pond Beach is another restful site, ideal for those seeking a respite from summer crowds.

NYC Parks is pleased to continue its free sunscreen program with dispensers located at all beaches. New Yorkers can protect themselves from long hours in the sun by easily applying the provided SPF 30 sunscreen. In the Rockaways, the sunscreen program is funded by the IMPACT Melanoma Foundation and Episcopal Health Services.
The Health Department is responsible for beach health and safety surveillance and routine water quality monitoring for all beaches in NYC. The agency regularly tests the water quality and monitors wet weather conditions near the City’s beaches to make sure it is safe for swimming. When water is polluted from excessive rain runoff, sewage or other pollution, it can pose health risks to swimmers and beachgoers. If necessary, easy-to-read water quality advisory and closure signs will be posted at beaches to ensure that all beachgoers are aware of any health or safety risks.
For more information on Health Department sampling results, water quality information, and to find out if there are any advisories or closures before heading to the beach, the public can visit nyc.gov/health/beach or call 311.

Beachgoers can also sign up for “Know Before You Go,” a free text service in English and Spanish that informs New Yorkers if public beaches are open or closed due to water quality issues.

New Yorkers can text “BEACH” or “PLAYA” to 55676 to get the status of any of the City’s public beaches.

NYC Parks outdoor pools will open on June 27, 2024.

Discover more about NYC beaches.