Long Island extends 118 miles east of New York City and holds more than 100 public beaches across Nassau and Suffolk counties, the South Shore barrier islands, the North Shore, and the East End. Most visitors know Jones Beach. Fewer realize how different the options are: open Atlantic surf, protected bay swimming, empty Fire Island strips, and the quieter Hamptons beaches where parking costs nothing if you know which lots to use.
These 10 beaches are ranked by real visitor reviews pulled from over 5,000 ratings. Each one has a verified rating, review count, and practical information so you know what you're actually getting before you drive out.
Jones Beach State Park (Rating: 4.6 / 1,018 reviews)
Jones Beach is the baseline for Long Island beach trips. Located on a barrier island in Nassau County, it draws around 6 million visitors per year according to New York State Parks. The beach spans 6.5 miles with multiple parking fields, an Art Deco bathhouse built in 1929, a 2,413-seat amphitheater, and a 1-mile boardwalk. Water conditions are consistent for families, with lifeguards stationed across multiple zones throughout summer.
The 1,018 reviews average 4.6, which is strong for a beach this size and this accessible. Crowds are real on summer weekends, particularly in fields 4 and 6, but the sheer length means you can walk to less-packed stretches.
Location: Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh (33 miles from Midtown Manhattan) Parking: $10/vehicle in summer (cash or EZPass at toll plazas) Best for: Families, first-timers, full-day trips with amenities
Ponquogue Beach (Rating: 4.7 / 697 reviews)
Ponquogue Beach sits along Dune Road in Hampton Bays and offers protected bay-side waters rather than open Atlantic surf. That distinction matters: the calm, shallow conditions make it one of the more suitable spots on Long Island for paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming with younger kids. The area has a quieter, more residential character compared to the ocean beaches further east.
With 697 reviews at 4.7, it outperforms many larger beaches in satisfaction. Facilities include a bathhouse, lifeguards in season, and a small snack area.
Location: Dune Rd, Hampton Bays (about 80 miles from Midtown Manhattan) Parking: Metered lots; free off-season Best for: Paddleboarding, calm-water swimming, families with young children
Meschutt Beach (Rating: 4.6 / 391 reviews)
Meschutt Beach is a Suffolk County park on Canal Road in Hampton Bays, positioned along the sheltered Peconic Bay rather than the Atlantic. The calm water warms up earlier in the season than ocean beaches and stays comfortable into September. It draws a local crowd, which keeps it less congested than State Park beaches despite its 391 reviews and 4.6 rating.
Parking requires a Suffolk County Green Key card for residents, or a daily fee for non-residents. The beach has changing facilities and lifeguards during summer.
Location: 1 Canal Rd, Hampton Bays Parking: Suffolk County Green Key ($29/year) or daily non-resident fee Best for: Warm, calm bay swimming; families; off-peak visits
Lighthouse Beach, Bay Shore (Rating: 4.8 / 121 reviews)
Lighthouse Beach in Bay Shore earns a 4.8 across 121 reviews, one of the highest ratings in the Long Island dataset. It sits along the Great South Bay with shallow sandbars and calm conditions that hold well for swimming year-round. The beach is a practical launching point for ferries to Fire Island, making it worth knowing even if you're not staying.
The calm bay conditions mean the water stays warmer than ocean-facing beaches, and the sandbar setup is forgiving for beginners and children.
Location: Bay Shore, near Fire Island ferry terminals Parking: Town of Islip resident sticker or daily fee Best for: Calm bay swimming, families, Fire Island access
Sailors Haven, Fire Island (Rating: 4.9 / 32 reviews)
Sailors Haven is a National Park Service beach on Fire Island accessible only by ferry from Bay Shore. No cars reach Fire Island's interior communities, which is the point: the beach has Atlantic waves on the ocean side and calm Sunken Forest access on the bay side. The 4.9 rating from 32 reviews reflects the experience of people who made the deliberate trip out.
Fire Island National Seashore charges no beach entry fee; the ferry ride from Bay Shore costs around $10-15 each way depending on the operator.
Access: Ferry from Bay Shore (approx. 30 min crossing) Cost: Ferry fare; no beach entry fee Best for: Car-free day trips, nature walks, uncrowded Atlantic swimming
Two Mile Hollow Beach (Rating: 4.8 / 101 reviews)
Two Mile Hollow Beach in East Hampton is an ocean-facing beach on the South Fork with soft sand and Atlantic waves that are manageable for swimming. It is a Town of East Hampton beach, meaning access requires either residency or a town parking permit ($20-25/day for non-residents in summer). The trade-off is real: this level of access restriction keeps the beach less crowded than State Park alternatives.
The 4.8 rating across 101 reviews holds up consistently. The stretch is long enough to spread out even on busy weekends.
Location: Two Mile Hollow Rd, East Hampton Parking: Town of East Hampton permit required in summer Best for: Uncrowded Atlantic swimming, less commercial East End experience
Cedar Beach, Gilgo (Rating: 4.5 / 163 reviews)
Cedar Beach sits on the Gilgo barrier island just west of Jones Beach, accessible via Ocean Parkway. It is a Town of Babylon beach with a parking fee structure, and it draws far fewer visitors than Jones Beach despite the similar geography. The beach has both bay-side and ocean-side access, so you can choose your water conditions depending on the day.
The 4.5 rating across 163 reviews reflects consistently good conditions and a calmer crowd than the State Park crowds to the east.
Location: Ocean Pkwy, Gilgo (between Jones Beach and Captree) Parking: Town of Babylon resident fee or non-resident rate Best for: South Shore barrier island swimming with fewer crowds
Pryibil Beach, Glen Cove (Rating: 4.5 / 347 reviews)
Pryibil Beach is a North Shore option in Glen Cove, positioned in a sheltered cove with clear, calm water. North Shore beaches generally have less powerful surf than the ocean-facing South Shore, which makes them more suitable for snorkeling and casual swimming. Glen Cove is about 25 miles from Midtown Manhattan, making this one of the closer quality beaches to the city.
With 347 reviews averaging 4.5, it has earned a reliable reputation. City of Glen Cove residents get discounted parking; non-residents pay a higher daily fee.
Location: Glen Cove, Nassau County Parking: City of Glen Cove rates; higher for non-residents Best for: North Shore swimming, snorkeling, shorter drive from NYC
Mecox Beach, Water Mill (Rating: 4.5 / 103 reviews)
Mecox Beach in Water Mill is a quieter alternative to the Hamptons' more trafficked ocean beaches. It sits near a tidal inlet with calm, shallow water on the bay side and dune-backed sand with a more local feel. Parking access requires a Southampton Town sticker or a non-resident permit; the restriction keeps crowds manageable.
At 4.5 across 103 reviews, it appeals to visitors looking for a real beach experience in the Hamptons area without the congestion of more visible spots.
Location: Jobs Ln, Water Mill Parking: Southampton Town permit required Best for: Quieter Hamptons beach, families, calm water swimming
Corey Beach, Blue Point (Rating: 4.4 / 749 reviews)
Corey Beach in Blue Point sits on the Great South Bay with 749 reviews at 4.4, making it one of the most-reviewed South Shore bay beaches on Long Island. The calm, family-oriented environment suits swimmers looking for protected water without committing to a ferry crossing. The beach has parking, lifeguards in season, and a sandy shoreline backed by residential neighborhoods.
Bay-side beaches like Corey warm up earlier in the season than ocean beaches, and the conditions are more consistent for young swimmers.
Location: 1 Corey Ave, Blue Point Parking: Town of Brookhaven permit or daily fee Best for: Bay swimming, families, mid-season trips when ocean water is still cold
What to Know Before You Go
Long Island's beach access rules are complicated by local residency requirements. State Park beaches (Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Caumsett) accept any New York State resident at the same rate. Town and county beaches typically charge non-residents significantly more, and some have seasonal access restrictions. If you are visiting from outside Long Island, Jones Beach State Park and the Fire Island National Seashore beaches are the most accessible without residency permits.
Summer traffic on the Southern State Parkway and Sunrise Highway to Jones Beach can add 30-60 minutes to travel times on weekends. The Hamptons beaches via the Long Island Expressway are accessible but parking enforcement runs strictly from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Water temperatures on the Atlantic-facing South Shore peak around 72F in late July and August. North Shore beaches in Long Island Sound run 2-4 degrees warmer due to protected bay conditions.