Jones Beach State Park

I’m not fan of swimming at Jones Beach State Park beaches (more like jumping in the waves rather than swimming), but I do like the park for its walking and hiking opportunities. Trail leading from West End 2 parking lot to the ocean side and then around west side perimeter to the bay side and back to parking lot is a nice one. Another nice walk is in the Short Island beach area (park at boat basin parking lot). Zach’s Bay presents yet another opportunity to hike next to the bay starting at the theater parking lot. Best time to walk is in spring or fall when the weather is mild but not hot.

I visited Field 6 last year with a friend and had a great time, so I decided to return this summer with someone new. Things were different this time. I arrived early (around 9 a.m.) and found a good spot near the water, but the beachfront area was already completely taken. I relied on the umbrella rentals, but they didn’t open until almost 11 a.m., so I had to buy umbrellas from the shop instead. Unfortunately, both had defects and needed to be exchanged, which was frustrating.

By mid-afternoon (after 3 p.m.), the beach became extremely crowded, and the atmosphere felt very different compared to last year. On the positive side, the bathrooms are impressively clean considering the heavy traffic of visitors — they have many stalls and are well maintained. Parking is also spacious and convenient.

Overall, I’d recommend arriving early and bringing absolutely everything you might need with you, because relying on rentals or the nearby shop can complicate the experience. Personally, I don’t think I’d return, but I still tried to make the best of it with my friend.

The pool and beach (Westbath House) are amazingly beautiful. I always come here; it is the best beach near the city, both on public transportation and by car. Car parking is 10 bucks. The eating area is very expensive, and the food is average. So if you visit the pool area, be prepared to pay over 20 bucks for just 4-piece chicken fingers with fries no drink. If you want to have a good time and a safe family trip, go here, it's great!

We just visited **Robert Moses Beach** at Jones Beach to celebrate the 20th anniversary of when we first met (our actual wedding anniversary comes later). The day was unforgettable.

There was thunder, lightning, and heavy rain at times, but it didn’t matter — we went to the beach anyway, and it turned out to be magical. There was even a wedding and an engagement happening in the middle of the storm, and somehow it all added to the beauty of the day.

By the end, the weather calmed down, and it was simply stunning. The beach itself is clean and peaceful, so different from the New York City beaches, which can be pretty unpleasant.

Overall, it was an amazing experience at a beach that truly feels special. Highly recommend!

Just recently visited Jones Beach State Park, and we were pleasantly surprised by how good the surf was! We weren’t expecting much, but the waves really delivered. Clean sets, decent size, and just the right amount of challenge for intermediate surfers.
The beach itself is beautiful and well-maintained, with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the sun. The atmosphere was relaxed, and even though it was a popular spot, it never felt overcrowded. Parking was convenient, and the facilities were clean and accessible.
Overall, Jones Beach gave us a perfect day of sun, surf, and good vibes. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into surfing or just want a great beach day on Long Island. We’ll absolutely be back!