1. Home
  2. Beaches
  3. New York

Beaches in New York

15 beaches in New York with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Nassau County has the most (5). The darkest skies are at Lighthouse Beach (Bortle 6).

Top beaches

Coney IslandBeach
Coney IslandKings County
Rockaway BeachBeach
Rockaway BeachQueens County
Orchard BeachBeach
Orchard BeachBronx County
Jacob Riis ParkBeach
Jacob Riis ParkQueens County
Cedar BeachBeach
Cedar BeachSuffolk County
Rye Town Park-Bathing Complex and Oakland BeachBeach
Rye Town Park-Bathing Complex and Oakland BeachWestchester County
Beach
Tobay BeachNassau County
Ocean Beach ParkBeach
Ocean Beach ParkNassau County
Beach
Buono BeachRichmond County
Beach
Cedar BeachSuffolk County
Beach
Short Beach (New York)Nassau County
Beach
Bar BeachNassau County

Beaches by county

All beaches (15)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Coney IslandGatewayKings County—Coney Island9
Rockaway BeachGatewayQueens County1 mBelle Harbor9
Orchard BeachBronx County2 mCity Island9
Jacob Riis ParkGatewayQueens County—Neponsit9
Cedar BeachSuffolk County—Mount Sinai7
Rye Town Park-Bathing Complex and Oakland BeachWestchester County1 mRye8
Tobay BeachNassau County3 mEast Massapequa7
Ocean Beach ParkNassau County—Long Beach9
Buono BeachRichmond County3 mRosebank9
Cedar BeachSuffolk County1 mLindenhurst7
Short Beach (New York)Nassau County—Point Lookout8
Bar BeachNassau County—Glenwood Landing9
Water Taxi BeachStonewallNew York County—Long Island City9
Lighthouse BeachSuffolk County—West Bay Shore6
North Hempstead Beach ParkNassau County—Glenwood Landing9

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph beaches

Beaches facing east suit sunrise and west-facing beaches suit sunset; wet sand mirrors the sky color during golden hour.

  • Time visits around low tide to reveal tide pools, sea stacks and reflective sand — check the tide widget below.
  • Slow shutter speeds (0.5–2 s) turn receding waves into streaks that lead toward the horizon.
  • Watch for sneaker waves; never turn your back on the ocean on exposed coasts.
  • Salt spray coats lenses quickly; wipe often and rinse gear afterward.
  • Fog and marine layers can make minimalist images; don't give up on grey days.

Season: Winter storms bring dramatic surf on Pacific coasts; summer and autumn sunsets are popular on Atlantic and Gulf beaches.