The 6 BEST New York Beaches in 2026

6) Green Lakes State Park - Fayetteville, NY

Located around 4.5 to 5.5 hours from Scarsdale, Green Lakes is totally different from the other coastal beaches on this list. It’s an upstate park with an insanely clear, almost turquoise colored lake. There are no ocean waves, and the swimming areas are calm, clean, and surrounded by dense forest. It feels more like a nature escape than a beach trip. It’s best for hiking and relaxing swims rather than a traditional beach day on Long Island.

5) Fire Island National Seashore - Fire Island, NY

Located around 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and ferry location, Fire Island is one of the cleanest and most remote ocean beaches in New York State. You take a ferry, and there are no cars, just boardwalks filled with pedestrians, bikers, and golf carts. The water is clean, and it has some small towns with shops like Ocean Beach.

4) Robert Moses State Park - Babylon, NY

Located around 1.5 to 2.5 hours from Scarsdale, Robert Moses Beach is one of the nicest public ocean beaches in the state. Field 5 is especially popular for swimming because of its lifeguard presence and clean shoreline. It’s less chaotic and much cleaner than Jones Beach, with consistently good water quality and clean sand.

3) Rockaway Beach - Queens, NY

Located around an hour to an hour and a half from Scarsdale, Rockaway Beach is the closest real ocean beach to us on this list. It is famous for its surfing and pretty clean waters. It is one of my personal favorite places to visit in NYC during the summer because of its energetic vibe with plenty of food stands and a newly built large boardwalk. I recommend visiting the restaurant Tacoway Beach on Beach 87th Street for a beach vibe right in NYC. Also, make sure to listen to "Rockaway Beach" by The Ramones on your drive there!

2) Long Beach - Long Beach, NY

Located around an hour to 2 hours from Scarsdale, depending on traffic, Long Beach is one of the cleanest and most reliable ocean beaches closest to NYC. It feels like a more pristine version of Rockaway Beach, which makes sense considering the $16.50 fee to enter. There is a town center close by with delis and shops for picking up lunch. It is a very family-friendly beach, and I highly recommend it for a day trip this summer.

1) Cooper's Beach - Southampton, NY

Located around 3 hours from Scarsdale, Coopers Beach is consistently ranked one of the best beaches in the entire country. It has extremely clean ocean water, soft white sand, and massive dunes. Beautiful beachside mansions surround the beach, allowing for a nice scenic walk while visiting. The beach is located in one of the wealthiest towns in the state and is close to the village of Southampton. It’s one of the farthest on this list, but it is definitely worth a visit. Although, be prepared to pay the $50 parking fee for the day.