As the song goes, it's not far, not hard to reach—you can catch a ride to Rockaway Beach on the subway, bus, or Long Island Rail Road. After years of rebuilding the boardwalk and fortifying the beaches, the entire stretch of sand from Beach 116th to Beach 86th is fully open to the public. The boardwalk is lined with great spots to grab a bite, and the water is lovely in the summer—especially if you're looking to hang ten.
Nearby Jacob Riis Park, also known as "The People's Beach," is located at the western end of the Rockaway Peninsula. The beach, which is managed by the National Park Service, has some access restrictions in place this summer due to erosion of its shoreline; check the website for details.
Getting there
The Rockaways and Jacob Riis Beach are easily accessible via public transportation. The and Rockaway Park Shuttle make stops along the peninsula, but you can also take the bus, LIRR, or NYC Ferry.
Take the subway
1. Take the Rockaway Park Shuttle for the western section of the beach.
On summer weekends, service is extended to Rockaway Blvd. Switch there from any train. At other times, take a Far Rockaway-bound to Broad Channel for the .
Exit at any of the stations along the Rockaway Park Shuttle and walk a short distance to Rockaway Beach. The Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St station is accessible.
2. Take a Far Rockaway-bound train to the eastern section of the beach.
Train signs and announcements will tell you where the train is headed. You can also ask the conductor, who sits in the middle of the train. All stations from Beach 67 St to Beach 36 St are a short distance from the beach. The Beach 67 St station is accessible.
Take the bus
The beach is a short walk from most bus stops along the Rockaway Peninsula.
1. Take the Q22 toward Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Exit at any of the stops between Beach Channel Dr-Beach 36 St and Rockaway Beach Blvd-Beach 145 St.
For Jacob Riis Park, exit at Jacob Riis Pk Rd/Bath House.
2. Take the Q35 or Q53 SBS toward Rockaway Park.
On the Q35, exit at any of the stops between Newport Ave-Beach 145 St and Newport Ave-Beach 116 St. On the Q53 SBS, exit at any of the stops between Rockaway Beach Blvd-Beach 96 St and Beach 116 St-Rockaway Beach Blvd.
For Jacob Riis Park, take the Q35 and exit at Jacob Riis Pk Rd/Bath House.
3. Take the Q52 SBS toward Arverne.
Exit at any of the stops between Rockaway Beach Blvd-Beach 92 St and Beach 54 St-Beach Channel Dr.
4. Take the Q113 or Q114 toward Far Rockaway.
Exit at any of the stops along Seagirt Blvd.
Take the Long Island Rail Road
1. Take a Far Rockaway-bound LIRR train.
You can catch a train to Far Rockaway from any of the stations on the Far Rockaway branch, including Penn Station, Grand Central, and Jamaica. Far Rockaway is an accessible station.
2. Catch an MTA bus from Far Rockaway station to the beach.
Take the Q22 bus from Far Rockaway station and exit at any of the stops between Beach Channel Dr-Beach 36 St and Rockaway Beach Blvd-Beach 145 St, or take the Q114 bus to the Far Rockaway beach.
Take the NYC Ferry
1. Take a Rockaway-bound ferry from Wall St/Pier 11 or Sunset Park/Brooklyn Army Terminal.
If you take the ferry from a different stop, you must transfer to a Rockaway-bound ferry at Pier 11 or Sunset Park.
2. Exit the ferry at Rockaway.
The ferry stop is at Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive. From there, it's a short walk to Rockaway Beach.
For fare information and schedules, visit the NYC Ferry page.
While you're there
- The Rockaways has the distinction of having the city's only legal surfing beaches, located between Beach 67th and 69th Sts, and Beach 87th and 92nd Sts. For those who don't surf but are stoked to try, there are local groups that offer lessons—Surf's Up NY is just one of many with beginner's classes.
- Stroll the boardwalk for unparalelled people-watching. It stretches for more than five miles, and is dotted with concession stands, shops, playgrounds, and other points of interest.
- The most popular concession stands are located at Beach 97th St, Beach 86th St, and Beach 106th St. You'll find all manner of cuisines, from standard burgers and fries to Peruvian bites and Venezuelan arepas.