Best New York Beach (2018)

Visitors to Fire Island National Seashore have 32 miles of white quartz sand beaches to choose from. When not sunbathing or swimming, park goers will find numerous nature trails for hiking and wildlife viewing as well.
Photo courtesy of Mike Busch

Jones Beach State Park is home to 6.5 miles of white sand Atlantic beach on the south shore of Long Island. This popular destination attracts some 6 million visitors each year–beach goers who come to stroll the boardwalk, play a round of mini golf, swim in the ocean or grab a snack at one of several concession stands.
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek, File

The 5 miles of sandy shoreline within Robert Moses State Park attract some 3.8 million visitors annually. Situated at the westernmost point of Fire Island, the lifeguarded beach is popular for swimming, boogie boarding, surfing and surf fishing, and amenities include picnic tables with grills, beach shops, concession stands and showers.
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/David Goldman

Typically less crowded than nearby Ponquogue, Tiana Beach offers both bayside and oceanside barrier beaches, complete with amenities like lifeguards, showers, concession stands, picnic tables and beach volleyball courts.
Photo courtesy of iStock / optop

Historic Coney Island’s three miles of deep Atlantic beach boast amusements near the water’s edge and away from it, as well, in the form of basketball, handball and volleyball (in fact the AVP pro-volleyball tournament is an annual summer event). Looking for something more thrilling? Try its Boardwalk amusements and immerse yourself in Brooklyn history.
Photo courtesy of JULIENNE SCHAER/NYC & Company

Occupying 296 acres of barrier island, Cupsogue Beach County Park features lifeguarded Atlantic swimming, as well as salt water bass fishing. Beach amenities include showers, restrooms, changing rooms and a snack bar.
Photo courtesy of Russ / Flickr

The 51-acre Lake George Beach, better known as Million Dollar Beach, sits on the southernmost shore of this popular Upstate New York lake. The free public beach offers a bathhouse, lifeguards, concession stands and a boat launch adjacent to the sand.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Zhiwu

No stranger to the list of top Hamptons beaches, Coopers Beach on the south shore of Long Island offers a wide swath of grainy white sand backed by sand dunes and stately mansions. A snack bar keeps hungry beach goers happy.
Photo courtesy of iStock / TraceRouda

A highlight of Hither Hills State Park is the 189-site campground right on the beach. Popular for picnicking, sunbathing and swimming, the sandy ocean beach also attracts anglers to its year round fishing.
Photo courtesy of john / Flickr

A pair of glacial lakes inside Green Lakes State Park set the scene for one of New York's best freshwater beach experiences. Next to the beach, guests can rent rowboats and paddle boats during the summer months.
Photo courtesy of ZeWrestler / Wikimedia Commons