Rockaway Beach — Attraction in New York

Visiting Rockaway Beach offers a refreshing coastal escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City, combining a laid-back, beach-town vibe with the dynamic energy of Queens. Known as New York City's largest urban beach, Rockaway Beach stretches for miles along the Atlantic Ocean, offering sandy shores, crashing waves, and a diverse community atmosphere that feels worlds away from Manhattan.

One of the highlights of my visit was the surfing scene—Rockaway Beach is the only beach in NYC where surfing is legally permitted. The designated surf areas attract both beginners and seasoned surfers, creating a vibrant, active atmosphere on the water. Even if you’re not surfing, watching the surfers ride the waves adds to the beach's energetic charm. For those looking to try it out, there are several local surf schools and rental shops nearby.

The Rockaway Beach Boardwalk is perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride, offering stunning ocean views and easy access to the beach. Along the boardwalk, I discovered a variety of food vendors and casual eateries, serving everything from fresh seafood tacos to artisanal ice cream. One standout was Rippers, a popular beachfront spot known for its burgers and laid-back vibe. The boardwalk also features public art installations and playgrounds, making it family-friendly and visually engaging.

For nature lovers, the Rockaway Beach Wildlife Sanctuary offers a quieter, more secluded experience, with opportunities for birdwatching and exploring the area’s natural beauty. The beach is also well-equipped with lifeguards, restrooms, and outdoor showers, ensuring a comfortable day by the water.

To get to Rockaway Beach, I recommend taking the scenic NYC Ferry from Manhattan, which provides a beautiful, relaxing ride with views of the skyline and harbor. Alternatively, the A train offers convenient subway access. For the best experience, visit on a weekday or early in the morning to avoid crowds, especially during peak summer weekends.

Whether you’re looking to surf, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the ocean breeze, Rockaway Beach offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it an ideal getaway for both locals and visitors seeking a different side of...

The beach doesn't get such a great rating from me only because as a local we had to beg and beg and beg to get them to put sand on the beach and we're still begging for them which is the Army Corps of Engineers to put Rock Jetties out on the water made of boulders so that we don't have to keep refilling the sand every year because the tide keeps taking away everything that they put down every year sounds kind of stupid to me how about you and they also promised us here on the rockaways a wall so that if the water is too high it wouldn't flood the streets again like Hurricane Sandy did but we haven't gotten that yet either yet the Army Corps of Engineers truck 240 million dollars then put it back funds they said it wasn't enough three years ago and they got another 240 million dollars in addition and they've only made a cement board walk and can hardly keep up with the loss of sand issues somebody's not putting the money...

Great beach! Just wish they had a better wash off area set up [like how they have it in Jones Beach] to properly wash off all the sand. Like how are you supposed to get all the sand out of your private areas if everything is out in the open?!? And on top of it the water is extremely COLD!! 😬🥶😰. Another con is parking. It can be difficult but thats to be expected. They atleast designate an area for visitors but its always full. Additionally, the EZ Pass is flashed twice [going & coming]. Other than that the entertainment is great, the playgrounds are wonderful, the boardwalk is amazing [walk, run, rollerblade, bike ride, etc.] and the beach water is...