Best Beaches of New York

Some of the best beaches in New York can be found along Long Island. If you've never been, you're in for a treat. Drive the entire length of the island and you'll probably take a good 3 hours. But stop at some of these spectacles, and you could take a lifetime. It's one postcard after another and much unlike the hustle of downtown New York City. No wonder those who know this area of the country continue to come back time after time. Much like Rio and the beaches that surround it - you just need to get away some time. Unfortunately these beachese cannot be enjoyed year-round like Rio, but still, they make for a wonderful summertime visit.

More people asked us to visit the Hamptons while we were in New York than any other beach. Long Island's South Fork seaside towns make up what we found as opulence, elegance, and attainment. Throw in a dash of vulgarity and you'll get the idea.

One single road connects them all, Route 27, the Montauk Highway. We found it slow as New York molasses, but folks here consider themselves lucky to be stuck in this gridlock of glamor. How many Mercedes did we count? Well, we lost count. Let's just say the Hamptons is akin to Stuttgart-by-the-Sea.

But if you like graying cedar shingles, shifting sand dunes, wide-open, jet-ski-free Altantic beaches, then you'll love the Hamptons. Don't be surprised to find just what you see in the pictures. It's like a storybook, yet inviting to be mussed up. Still, there's an air of aristocracy which makes you self conscious.

Let's run through the noteworthy beaches - those we believe you should visit if in the area. These will keep you from landing at a crummy beach - without much sand, poor view. Here we go:

Flying Point Beach - Water Mill

Sagg Beach - Sagaponack

Long Beach - North Haven

Mecox Beach - Bridgehampton

Two Mile Hollow - East Hampton

Indian Wells Beach - Amagansett

Main Beach - East Hampton

Labels: Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Flying Point Beach, Gibson Beach, Indian Wells Beach, Long Beach, Mecox Beach, Sagaponack, Sagg Beach, Southampton, Two Mile Hollow, Wainscott Beach

Come here and prepare to stand on this breezy shore and take in Americana. It's the focal point of Southampton and a wonderland of sand that carries off into the distance. Yet people are drawn to Flying Point Beach in Water Mill not because it's the only thing here, but because it is such a gem and the locals know it. Plan on spending a day here, and if you can, grab a bed and breakfast nearby. The bed and breakfast route is amazing almost any time of the year, and especially in the fall. This beach is fun for just about anything, but remember because of the onshore breeze, it can be a challenge for some sports.

This is one of the smallest beaches in the area, but it is nice and worth a visit. The property, owned and operated by the Town of Southampton, is only 250 feet fronting the Atlantic.

Surfers know Flying Point Beach as a great place to catch a few waves as winter approaches. But the surf is kind of flat during the summer. And then you can simply enjoy the beach and people watch.

Because of the location, Flying Point Beach attracts European tourists, celebrities, and the like. Who know who you may see here.

The beach is delightful because in addition to the nice sand and short cliff from the road, we found a very cool food stand that is open during daylight hours. Prices are a little steep, but what you'd expect for food at the beach.

And we love Flying Point Beach because we're able to strike up a game of beach volleyball. The Town of Southampton provides nice courts. They also have spotless restrooms and showers.

You will have a fun time at Flying Point Beach, but you'll need a parking permit to park at the beach in the summer months.

Beach Index:

Sand - tan and slightly coarse
Facilities - first class
Sports - volleyball, surfing, suntanning, swimming
Recommended

Labels: Flying Point Beach, Southampton