Memorial Day weekend begins on May 23rd, marking the official return of summer in New York. The New York City Parks Department manages eight public beaches stretching a total of 14 miles, which will be open to the public for free until September 13th.
In Brooklyn, beachgoers can enjoy Coney Island and Manhattan Beach. Coney Island offers a wide range of summer activities and is located near the New York Aquarium, a baseball stadium, and seaside restaurants, making it a popular destination for young people and tourists.
In Queens, surf enthusiasts flock to Rockaway Beach.
In the Bronx, Orchard Beach is perfect for family fun.
Staten Island boasts four beaches that are open to the public – South Beach, Midland Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Park Beach. Visitors can rent bicycles at South Beach and Midland Beach. For a quiet and private holiday experience, the relatively secluded Cedar Grove Beach is an excellent choice.
The NYC Parks Department reminds the public to adhere to swimming regulations, only allowing swimming when lifeguards are on duty and in designated areas. Lifeguard hours are from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Swimming is strictly prohibited in areas without lifeguard patrols or in sections of the beach marked with no-swimming signs or flags. Most beaches have designated swimming areas marked by buoys, and the specific open areas may vary depending on the beach’s conditions. Beachgoers are urged to follow instructions from on-site staff when swimming.
The Parks Department also recommends sun protection and will provide free SPF30 sunscreen at all the aforementioned beaches. Visitors can pick up sunscreen at designated locations on the beach.
To check water quality, you can visit the NYC Department of Health’s “NYC Area Beaches” webpage for real-time water quality reports for each beach.
For notifications, you can register for the official New York City emergency alert system, “Notify NYC,” and opt to receive “beach notifications” to stay informed about beach closures or sudden weather changes.
To find the nearest beach, you can visit the Parks Department website at nycgovparks.org/facilities/beaches or use the website’s location feature to search for beaches.