Long Island is filled with beaches all across Nassau and Suffolk County. Sure it’s a blessing but it can also lead to a problem—how do you decide which one to bring your cooler, chair and towel to? In search of the ones worth visiting this year, we turned to you. These six beaches seem to have Long Islanders a little more excited than others. Grab the suntan lotion and park it at any of these favorites. Share your summer fun and win prizes. Follow @longislandpulse on Instagram for weekly #SummerofPulse challenges.
Related Content: The Adventure Seeker’s Guide to Summer on Long Island
Robert Moses State Park, Babylon
image: facebook.com/robertmosesstatepark
Drive past the usually overcrowded Jones Beach and head to one of five fields at Robert Moses State Park. Robert Moses is a popular spot to swim, boogie-board and even surf. It also serves as a great spot for photos with the park’s landmark Water Tower most visible from Field 3 and the lighthouse accessible from Field 5. Click to swim
Cedar Beach, Mount Sinai
Located on the Long Island Sound, Cedar Beach offers beachgoers more than just blue water and sand. Along with the two beach areas—Cedar Beach Main and Cedar Beach West—there’s also a playground, concession stand, walking trail, basketball courts, swimming lessons, fishing pier, marina and ramps to launch boats. Another plus? Frequenters boast about the beautiful sunsets here, comparing it to evenings in the Caribbean. Click to swim
West Meadow, Setauket
Often described as a tranquil beach, West Meadow Beach is another that’s located on the Long Island Sound. The large beach area comes equipped with a playground, volleyball court, a two-mile walking trail, gazebo, spray park, swimming lessons and even five checkerboard tables. It’s also a great place for nature lovers with a slew of environmental programs that are free upon registration. This year’s programs include nature walks and bird watching. Click to swim
Smiths Point, Shirley
Aerial view of Smith Point beach. image: facebook.com/smithpointbeach
Known for its white sands, Smiths Point is a popular summertime hangout. Located on the barrier island of Fire Island, it’s also the “county’s largest oceanfront park.” There’s scuba diving, surfing, camping, a playground, showers and fishing. When food cravings call, beachgoers can grab a bite at the casual Smith Point Beach Hut offering seafood and tropical drinks and daily specials like lobster on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Click to swim
Lido Beach, Long Beach
Once a best-kept secret, Lido Beach has grown in popularity over the last few years. A slew of amenities, including tennis, basketball and paddle ball courts, make it an ideal location to come with the entire family or big group of friends. The same can be said for the picnic area where outdoor tables encourage visitors to sit, eat and relax. Click to swim
Kenney’s Beach, Southold
Head to the North Fork for a day in the sun at Kenney’s Beach. This little paradise is open to the public until 10pm. It’s common to catch people fishing, kayaking, canoeing, walking on the boardwalk or snapping photos of yet another gorgeous sunset. After lounging on the beach, heading to nearby Greenport for a bite to eat (Claudio’s anyone?) doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Click to swim
This month, Pulse is focusing beaches and marine life. Check back July 13 to learn whether whales are making a comeback on Long Island and later this month to meet the people working to make our beaches clean and pristine.