11 New York City Beaches That Will Make You Forget You're in Gotham

Escape for some ocean spray, and we're not talking cranberry juice.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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This feature also appears in Complex's June/July 2011 issue.

Come summer, New York City turns into a biological soup of weird smells, inexplicable brown puddles, and 9 million people sweating in unison. But evolution is within reach. New York has enough waterfront to provide every kind of beach escape, from the after work sandy beer to the weekend solitary retreat.

Here are 11 New York City beaches that will make you forget you're in Gotham.

South Beach

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WHERE: Father Capodanno Blvd. & Sand Lane, Staten Island

HOW TO GET THERE: Staten Island Ferry to a bus, but ideally by car

This beach combines with Midland Beach and features bocce courts, ballparks, and barbecue areas along its 2.5-mile boardwalk. If sun, sand, and saltwater aren’t enough to keep you sated this summer, you can always go skateboarding—they have a small park here as well.

Gunnison Beach

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WHERE: Route 36, Sandy Hook, N.J.

HOW TO GET THERE: New York Beach Ferry to Sandy Hook

This is a nude beach—what you do on your time is your business. Still, it’s a beautiful stretch of beach, and if you hate wearing clothes, it’s just about the only place you won’t get arrested for sunning your d***.

Water Taxi Beach

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WHERE: South Street Seaport, North side of Pier 17, Manhattan

HOW TO GET THERE: 2, 3 to Wall St.

You can’t swim here (the water is the East River), but it’s one of the only places you’ll be able to dig your toes into sand while eyeing the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s full of food and beer vendors, which makes this a laid-back alternative for an evening unwind.

Coney Island

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WHERE: Surf Ave. at Atlantic Shore, Brooklyn

HOW TO GET THERE: D, F, or Q Train to Coney Island Stillwell/Surf Ave.

Coney Island is in limbo right now, stuck somewhere between its 19th-century heyday, recent derelict kitsch, and future Disney World makeover. Like everything in New York, it was better before you heard about it, but that’s no reason not to go. It’s still got the boardwalk, it’s still got the Cyclone roller coaster, and it’s still got Nathan’s classic hot dogs.

Brighton Beach

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WHERE: Brighton Beach, Brightwater Ave., Brooklyn

HOW TO GET THERE: B or Q Train to Brighton Beach

Like a trip to the Black Sea, a visit to Brighton Beach wouldn’t be complete without Speedos, Russian cuisine, and vodka. It’s known as much for the food and local flavor as it is for the beach, so make sure you exercise moderation in your intake.

Fort Tilden State Park

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WHERE: Breezy Point, N.Y.

HOW TO GET THERE: Car or a long bike ride

This hidden stretch of dunes and coastline is run by the National Park service and is also known as Beach H. It’s a pain in the ass to get to, which keeps the crowds at bay. If you do make it out there, explore the bunkers of the old fort or bring a picnic and kick back by the dunes. You’ll forget you’re technically in Queens.

Rockaway Beach

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WHERE: Beach 1st St., Far Rockaway to Beach 149th St., Neponsit

HOW TO GET THERE: A train to Beach 90th St.

If you ever see a guy on the A train holding a surfboard while you’re on your way to work, he’s either just been or is going to Rockaway. It’s the only true surf spot in the five boroughs and has a decent, easily accessible break with tons of history. It’s also a kick-ass Ramones song, but for our MetroCard money, Rockaway is for surfing.

Jones Beach

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WHERE: 1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, N.Y.

HOW TO GET THERE: LIRR to Freeport

Jones Beach is easily accessible, massive in size, and in close proximity to millions of New Yorkers, which is why it’s insanely packed every day. It’s a goldmine for people watching and is Nassau County’s version of the Jersey Shore. It’s also home to the beach’s namesake summer concert series.

Robert Moses Beach

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WHERE: Robert Moses Causeway, Babylon, N.Y.

HOW TO GET THERE: LIRR to Babylon

If you want to be left alone and take in the natural coastal beauty of New York without a lot of distractions, Robert Moses Beach is it. Its relative remoteness on the western end of Fire Island draws people looking for a quiet alternative to the Jones Beach mayhem.

Flying Point Beach

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WHERE: 1055 Flying Point Rd., Water Mill, N.Y.

HOW TO GET THERE: LIRR to Southampton

If you want to go to the Hamptons but don’t need the flaunt and flash, check out the public Flying Point Beach. It’s the same ocean and the same beach as the private Hamptons beach clubs, with all of the hot girls and half the snobbery.

Ditch Plains Montauk

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WHERE: Ditch Plains Rd., Montauk, N.Y.

HOW TO GET THERE: LIRR to Montauk

Welcome to the end. This picturesque Montauk beach with majestic bluffs and one of the most consistent breaks on Long Island (thanks to the rock bottom) makes it an amazing spot for beachgoers and surfers alike. It can get crowded in the lineup and turns into hipster hell on the weekends, but it’s worth it.

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