New York City Beaches

Manhattan Beach, on the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean Ave. to Mackenzie St. in Brooklyn (☎718-946-1373). S D to Brighton Beach; then bus B1.
Orchard Beach and Promenade, in the Bronx’s Pelham Bay Park (☎718-885-2275). S 6 to Pelham Bay Park; then bus Bx5 (summer weekends only) or Bx12 (summer only) to Orchard Beach. Despite being manmade, this is a pretty 1 mi. sandy stretch facing Long Island Sound. Mobbed by snack stands and sun-seekers on hot summer days. 26 courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball available for pickup games. Lifeguards keep watch from Memorial Day to Labor Day daily 10am-6pm. Excellent picnic area with grills in the grassy area behind the beach.
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk (7 mi. long), on the Atlantic Ocean (☎718-318-4000). See for directions. Lifeguards Memorial Day-Labor Day daily 10am-6pm. Staten Island: South Beach, Midland Beach, and Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk (2 mi.), on Lower New York Bay. Bus S51 from the ferry terminal (20min.). Touted as one of NYC’s best beaches, South Beach offers spectacular views of the Narrows. Due to possible pollution, swimming after heavy rainfall is not recommended.