Beaches near Brooklyn

New York and its surrounding boroughs, including Brooklyn, is perhaps the ultimate urban vacation destination. So while everybody knows that New York is on the water, visitors often don't even think about the beaches you can explore here.

But spending some time on the beach is a great way to find some contrast to the incredible urban life of New York and Brooklyn, and New York City beaches offer some great experiences. Coney Island is well-known for its lively rides and entertainment options. On Staten Island, Midland Beach offers a war memorial and plenty of playgrounds and sports facilities and South Beach has kayak rentals and free concerts. And if you're looking for more natural environments where you can recharge your batteries, you can find those, too.

Brooklyn is home to some of the best beaches in New York, but it's worth remembering that this isn't the Caribbean. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean never get that warm, even in summer, so it's best to think of these beaches as great places to hang out, enjoy the scenery, and maybe take a refreshing dip to cool off.

4 awesome beaches near Brooklyn

Every Brooklyn beach has its own unique charm and appeal. Whether you want incredible views of the city, a place to swim on a hot day, or a waterfront park with plenty of hiking trails, you can find it here. Leave your luggage behind with Bounce in Brooklyn and check out some of these lovely local beaches.

Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach is located in the southern part of Brooklyn, and it’s easily accessible by public transportation. You can take the B or Q subway lines from Manhattan, and the ride takes about 45 minutes to one hour, depending on your starting point. The Brighton Beach subway station is just a short walk from the beach. If you’re driving, there are parking lots and metered street parking available, but they tend to fill up quickly, especially on summer weekends.

Brighton Beach is famous for its rich cultural heritage and proximity to the iconic Coney Island. Nicknamed "Little Odessa," the neighborhood around Brighton Beach is known for its large Russian-speaking community, giving the area a unique vibe compared to other New York beaches. Visitors can expect a blend of traditional seaside fun with a distinctly Eastern European atmosphere.

The beach itself offers a wide, sandy stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, making it a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. The waters are generally calm, and the beach tends to be less crowded than nearby Coney Island beach. The Brighton Beach Boardwalk is perfect for a stroll if you've had your fill of sandy beaches, with plenty of benches where you can sit and enjoy the sea breeze.

This beach is the perfect place to explore the beach life of Brooklyn. But before you jump on the subway, leave your bags behind with a Bounce luggage storage. We partner with local businesses to make sure you always have a place to leave your things.

Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach, located in Queens, is one of New York City’s most popular beach destinations. The beach is also easily reached using public transportation. You can take the A train to the Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street Station, which takes about 1.5 hours from Manhattan. Alternatively, the NYC Ferry provides a scenic ride from Wall Street’s Pier 11, arriving at Rockaway Beach in about one hour. If you’re driving, the journey takes about 45 minutes to an hour from most parts of the city, with parking available but often limited on busy days.

Rockaway Beach is the largest urban beach in the United States, stretching over seven miles along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s famous for its laid-back, surfer-friendly vibe and wide sandy shores. It's a perfect escape from the city without leaving New York. Rockaway Beach is unique in that it’s the only legal surfing beach in NYC, with designated surfing areas on 67th-69th streets and 87th-92nd streets, where both beginner and experienced surfers can catch waves. The strong ocean breezes and consistent swells make it a surfer’s paradise.

Rockaway also offers a quintessential beach experience with areas for swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. The long boardwalk is a great spot for biking, running, or simply strolling while enjoying the ocean views. The beach’s relaxed atmosphere, combined with its proximity to the city, makes it a favorite for both locals and visitors.

You may want to explore Rockaway Beach as soon as you arrive in New York as it's fairly close to JFK Airport, but if you have heavy bags with you, you're not going to have as much fun. If you can't check into your hotel yet, don't worry. Bounce has local partners that can hold onto your bags for as long as you need so you can enjoy a full day at the beach without worrying about your things.

Manhattan Beach

Southern Brooklyn's Manhattan Beach is adjacent to Brighton Beach and a short distance from Coney Island Avenue. You can take the B or Q train to Brighton Beach Station and then transfer to the B1 or B49 bus, which will take you directly to the beach in about 10-15 minutes. Have a car? It’s about a 10-minute drive from Coney Island, with parking available in a nearby lot, though it can be tricky to get a spot, so arrive early. Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach is one of the quieter and more family-friendly beaches in Brooklyn. Unlike its bustling neighbors, Brighton Beach and Coney Island, Manhattan Beach offers a more serene atmosphere, so it should top your list if you want a more relaxed beach experience. The beach features soft, clean sand and calm waters, ideal for swimming and wading, especially for families with young children. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months to ensure safety.

The beach is located within Manhattan Beach Park, which offers grassy picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports facilities, including tennis courts, handball courts, and a baseball diamond. Combine these activities easily with a beach day when you drop off your extra gear with Bounce ahead of time. The beach’s peaceful, low-key vibe makes it a hidden gem for Brooklyn locals and visitors who want to escape the crowds.

Aside from sunbathing and swimming, Manhattan Beach Park offers a variety of activities. You can enjoy a picnic in the shady park areas or take a stroll along the beach’s promenade, which provides great views of the ocean. The park also has several BBQ grills available on a first-come, first-served basis, perfect for a beachside cookout.

In New York, you're going to have lots to explore. If you don't get to Manhattan Beach until your trip is nearly over, don't worry. You can leave your bags behind with Bounce so you can enjoy the beach to the fullest, then pick up your things once you're ready to go.

Pelham Bay Park

Pelham Bay Park is the largest public park in New York City, located in the Bronx. It’s accessible by public transportation, with the 6 train taking you to the Pelham Bay Park station, the last stop on the line, followed by a short bus ride or walk into the park. If you're driving, the park is about 30 minutes from Manhattan, and there is ample parking available in various areas throughout the park.

Spanning over 2,700 acres, Pelham Bay Park offers a variety of outdoor experiences, from beaches to hiking trails and historic landmarks. One of the park’s highlights is Orchard Beach, often called "The Bronx Riviera." This crescent-shaped, man-made beach offers 1.1 miles of sandy shoreline along the Long Island Sound. The beach features designated picnic areas, playgrounds, and nearby concession stands, making it perfect for families and groups. The scenic promenade along the beach offers lovely views of the water and surrounding park.

Beyond the beach, Pelham Bay Park is known for its diverse natural landscapes, including salt marshes, woodlands, and meadows, providing a peaceful escape from city life. The park’s vastness and diversity make it an excellent spot for birdwatching, nature walks, and wildlife viewing, with over 200 species of birds calling the park home.

Pelham Bay Park has a wide range of activities for nature lovers, athletes, and history buffs alike. You can explore Pelham Bay Golf Course, New York City’s only 36-hole golf course, or visit the nearby Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, a historic 19th-century estate set within the park. For more outdoor adventure, the park has extensive hiking and biking trails, including the Kazimiroff Nature Trail, which winds through the protected forest and is worthwhile for the scenic views of Pelham Bay.

To really enjoy the feeling of escaping the city, make sure you're not carrying more than you need to. Leave your bags behind with a Bounce luggage storage location near Pelham Bay Park or any of the beaches near Brooklyn so you can enjoy your seaside time even more.