Not only is New York City home to a multifaceted amount of entertainment, amazing art, and grand attractions, but you can also find plenty of surfing culture here. That’s right, surfing isn’t just a West Coast thing. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’re bound to find some of the best surfing beaches near NYC.
Where to Surf in New York
1.) The Rockaways
The Rockaways is the only beach in NYC where you can legally surf. Located in Queens, it’s accessible by taking the A train or the Rockaway S shuttle. As the only legal place to surf in NYC, Rockaway Beach operates under some strict rules. You’re only able to paddle between Beach 68th Street and Beach 71st Street, Beach 87th Street and Beach 91st Street, and Beach 110th Street and Beach 111th Street.
Out of these beaches, Beach 67th Street, Beach 69th Street, and Beach 92nd Street are some of the best to visit. Beach 67th and 69th are good for beginners, because the waves tend to be a little smaller, and there are consistent breaks, in case you’re getting sore from holding your head up the whole time. Beach 92nd is better for seasoned surfers, as the waves tend to be a little taller.
Summer is the most ideal time to visit, but just know that there will be a lot of people. Crowds on crowds. Believe it or not, there is also a winter surfing culture at The Rockaways — for the souls who dare to brave the cold ocean.
If you’re wanting to know more about NYC’s surfing culture, check out The Rockaway Beach Surf Club, which is a cultural event space, restaurant, and bar that is dedicated to promoting the love of surfing, environmental conservation, and supporting the local neighborhood. If you’re looking for surf lessons, be sure to check out Locals Surf School where they have lesson packages available and lessons are catered to all ages. New York Surf School is another great option for learning how to surf.
2.) Long Beach Island
Long Island offers some of the best surfing beaches near NYC. Accessible by the A, 1, 2, 3, and Long Beach Branch bus, you’re able to reach Long Beach in about an hour and a half from Manhattan. Long Beach itself is reportedly a good spot for beginners and is one of the more pleasant places to surf near NYC. Lido Beach, which is just east of Long Beach is known as the best surfing spot there. With a better swell angle and hollow waves, Lido Beach is ideal for the pros. But beware, that since it’s such a popular spot to suntan and surf, crowds can get big in the summer.
Long Beach Island is perfect for those who are coming for the waves, but also for those who just want to enjoy the beaches. For those just wanting a swim, Ocean Beach Park is known for their calm waters. To rent equipment, check out Long Beach Surf Shop and for lessons, check out Skudin Surf.
3.) The Jersey Shore
Before you say anything, yes, that Jersey Shore. Despite how you felt about the show, don’t let it lead you away from the longest stretch of publicly accessible beaches in the world. For some visitors, it’s just about the boardwalks and parks. But for surfing enthusiasts, the Jersey Shore provides amazing surfing spots. Belmar is for surfers at any level, Sandy Hook can be used for long-ride conditions, and Manasquan Beach can have waves anywhere from four to 10 feet. Insane, right?
Belmar gets flooded with tourists each year due to its lively bars and restaurant scene. But the best place to catch waves here is going down to 16th Avenue Beach. Summertime Surf and Eastern Lines are both great surfing schools to check out for those who are wanting to learn. Sandy Hook is known for “The Cove” which is a Jetty break that can work at any time of the year. If this is your spot, make sure to bring your own cooler, as concessions are limited. And last, is Manasquan Beach. This neighboring shore town has several family-friendly beaches spread across, but the place to get the best waves is at the Manasquan Inlet. Equipment is available at the Inlet Outlet. Summertime Surf also offers lessons in this area.
According to Visit NJ, the best season to surf is during the fall months, otherwise known as their “Indian Summer.”
4.) Montauk
At the very, very end of Long Island is Montauk. Yes, it’s quite a ways away but you can get there by taking the A, C, E lines, Babylon Branch, and Montauk Branch buses. Public transportation will take about three and a half hours and two hours by car. The location of Montauk helps it have some of the biggest waves in the region. It’s got a rocky and rugged shoreline which gives it plenty of point breaks. It’s even got a space where 20-foot waves can appear, but that’s only for the select few.
Montauk surfing is often compared to spots in California, but this is definitely a beach for intermediate to pro surfers. Lessons are still offered here and can be found (with rentals and more) at Sunset Surf Shack. The Hamptons are nearby Montauk, which is another location with some great surf spots.
5.) Fire Island
About an hour and a half from Manhattan, Fire Island is one of those rare spots where it’s pretty remote. There are plenty of resort communities, protected beaches, and activities in nature. The island is also extremely LGBTQ+ friendly. Fire Island is a good spot if you would like waves to yourself, but if you’re a fan of consistency, this might not be the destination for you. There’s no real telling when a wave will pop up, and the problem stems from shifting sandbanks that move all day and all night. Even though waves are inconsistent, Fire Island is still good for surfing because of its array of jetties and sandbars.
According to Fire Island, “the best sandbar breaks can be found in Atlantique, Point O’ Woods, and Smith Point. For a steeper, faster wave, surfers head to the Ocean Beach jetties. There is an east and west jetty, both with quality waves.” It is recommended to bring a few boards when visiting, because of how conditions change so rapidly. If you’re taking the ferry to Fire Island and need to rent or buy equipment, make sure to visit Bunger right before hopping on the ferry.
