Short Beach

The wild West End of Jones Beach State Park. There are good fishing opportunities on all sides - surf, bay, and Jones Inlet channel. The admission fee is the same as any other parking field at the Jones Beach tho the fee booth does not seem to be manned after Labor Day. Two fairly new well done facilities - a large nature interpretive center & museum at West End 1 and showering, toilet, and First Aid office at West End 2 - provide educational insight and hygienic comfort. The West End Boat Basin on the bay side of the island provides access and docking facilities for boats, tho there are no shore-line connections, potable water hook-ups, or dock master to assist in boating situations. There are toilet facilities open thru the evening hours, a few of picnic tables, a gazebo, 2 to 4 hibachi grills, and a sign reading "Kayak Access Site" - tho it is about a 150 yard walk from parking lot to the "Site" (you cannot drive, or trailer, a kayak to the site). And there is no ramp, low floating dock, or chute for kayak launching. Just a sandy, rocky, and narrow sloping bay beach. Bit of a misnomer but we must recall, this is a New York State park - great intentions but half-hearted or budget neutered follow thru. The ocean beach side is long and lacks the crowds found further east. A bit of a walk thru soft sand to the shore-break but manageable for the reasonably fit. The ocean front is life guarded during peak season only but then you're on your own and there are signs reading "No Life Guards" and "No Swimming" so proceed with extreme caution as the rip currents can be strong and there are few to none to pull you out if you get into trouble. The "Work Docks", along a gravel road for recreational fishermen, is by special fishing access permit only, and it is policed and tickets are issued for those vehicles without the permit. The access road is just shy of the US Coast Guard facility entrance gate. Please do not wander onto the grassed and brushed dunes as this is a nesting area for many birds including the endangered Pipping Plover. Additionally, there is much poison ivy, ticks, and a super aggressive species of mosquito which will ruin your day and possibly your health. So stay on the clear jeep trails and foot paths. If you want a view of the animal community and get an understanding of the ecology of barrier islands, visit the interpretive center at West End 1. There is a boardwalk out into the dunes for wild life viewing and many bird species can be observed - Osprey, Marsh Hawk, Snowy Owl, and Bald Eagles can be seen among very many passerines.

A hidden gem of a beach away from the crowds of Jones Beach 4-5-6. The bay is full of wildlife, fish, birds and seals off-season. A grand pavilion in disrepair now was quite nice in the early 1970s when we went there every weekend by boat. Perfect for little kids!

Unlike Coney Island beach green water, water is over here more blue , warmer. Light sand. Quiet place. Not a lot of people. Lifeguard is available. Cannot wait to go back!