Best Beaches Near NYC
Escape Manhattan for a day at the Jersey Shore. These beaches are 1-2.5 hours away by car or train - perfect for a summer day trip.
40 mi
Closest Beach
3
Free Beaches
6+
Train Accessible
⛴️
Ferry Available
🏆 Top Pick for NYC Day Trippers: Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook is the closest beach to Manhattan and the only one with a direct ferry connection. The NYC Ferry runs seasonally from Wall Street and East 35th Street, making it possible to reach the beach in under an hour without a car. Plus, the beach itself is free (just pay for ferry or parking).
All Beaches by Distance from NYC
Closest beach to Manhattan with ferry access
🚗 Drive Time
50 min - 1.5 hrs
🚂 Transit Time
1.5 - 2 hrs
Transit Options:
Best For:
Long Branch
50 milesDirect train from Penn Station with Pier Village dining
🚗 Drive Time
1 - 1.5 hrs
🚂 Transit Time
1.5 - 2 hrs
Transit Options:
Best For:
Asbury Park
55 milesArts, music, and LGBTQ+-friendly with direct train
🚗 Drive Time
1 - 1.5 hrs
🚂 Transit Time
1.5 - 2 hrs
Transit Options:
Best For:
Belmar
60 milesFamily-friendly beach town with train access
🚗 Drive Time
1.25 hrs
🚂 Transit Time
1.5 - 2 hrs
Transit Options:
Best For:
Point Pleasant Beach
65 milesClassic boardwalk with Jenkinson's aquarium
🚗 Drive Time
1.25 - 1.5 hrs
🚂 Transit Time
2 hrs
Transit Options:
Best For:
Seaside Heights
75 milesIconic boardwalk with rides and Casino Pier
🚗 Drive Time
1.5 hrs
🚂 Transit Time
2.5 hrs (with bus transfer)
Transit Options:
Best For:
Casinos, free beach, and 24/7 entertainment
🚗 Drive Time
2 hrs
🚂 Transit Time
2.5 - 3 hrs
Transit Options:
Best For:
Massive FREE beach with huge boardwalk - worth the drive
🚗 Drive Time
2.5 hrs
🚂 Transit Time
Not practical (requires multiple transfers)
Transit Options:
Best For:
How to Get There from NYC
NYC Ferry to Sandy Hook
The most scenic option. Ferries run from Wall Street and East 35th Street seasonally (May-September). About 40 minutes to Highlands, then shuttle to beach.
NJ Transit from Penn Station
North Jersey Coast Line runs directly to Long Branch, Asbury Park, Belmar, and other shore towns. About 90 minutes to most destinations.
Drive via Holland/Lincoln Tunnel
Take Garden State Parkway South from the tunnel. Traffic is heavy on summer weekends - leave before 7am or after 2pm.
Bus Options
Academy Bus runs express service from Port Authority to various shore towns during summer. Check schedules in advance.
Beat the Traffic: Departure Strategies
Early Bird
Before 7amBest for: Full beach days, parking priority
Pros:
- ✓ Beat all traffic
- ✓ Best parking spots
- ✓ Full day at beach
Cons:
- ✗ Very early wake-up
- ✗ May wait for beach services to open
Midweek Warrior
Tuesday-Thursday any timeBest for: Flexible schedules, remote workers
Pros:
- ✓ Almost no traffic
- ✓ Cheaper everything
- ✓ Less crowded beaches
Cons:
- ✗ May not work with typical work schedule
Night Owl
After 8pm FridayBest for: Weekend trips, stay overnight
Pros:
- ✓ No traffic
- ✓ Arrive ready to sleep
- ✓ Full Saturday morning
Cons:
- ✗ Late arrival
- ✗ Need overnight accommodation
Reverse Commute
Sunday morning to shoreBest for: Contrarians, Sunday-Monday trips
Pros:
- ✓ Empty roads going south
- ✓ Monday beaches deserted
Cons:
- ✗ Need Monday off
- ✗ Sunday afternoon beach crowded
🚫 Worst Times to Leave NYC:
- • Friday 2-8pm (standstill on GSP)
- • Saturday 8am-noon (everyone leaving at once)
- • Sunday 2-6pm (return crush)
Train or Drive? Decision Guide
Solo or couple, no kids
→ Train
Relax, read, no parking stress. Cheaper than gas + tolls + parking.
Family with young kids
→ Drive
Need car seats, stroller, tons of gear. Train with toddlers is exhausting.
Group of friends
→ Drive
Split gas/tolls 4 ways = $15/person. More flexible, can cooler drinks.
Planning to drink
→ Train
No designated driver needed. Beaches allow alcohol in many towns.
Staying overnight
→ Drive
More luggage, flexibility to explore towns, grocery runs.
Friday evening departure
→ Train
Sitting in 3-hour traffic vs. 90-min train ride reading a book.
🚗 Driving Costs
- Tolls: $10-15 roundtrip
- Gas: $25-40 roundtrip
- Parking: $15-30/day
- Total: $50-85 solo, split with passengers
🚂 Train Costs
- Ticket: $30-40 roundtrip
- Uber at shore: $10-20 if needed at shore
- Total: $30-60 per person
NYC Packing Guide
✓ Bring from NYC
- Sunscreen
Shore prices are 2-3x higher
- Reusable water bottles
Fill at water fountains, save $5+ per person
- Beach towels
Buying at shore costs $15-25 each
- Snacks/sandwiches
Boardwalk food is expensive
- Cash
Many beach badge booths are cash-only
- NJ Transit app
Buy tickets before boarding or pay more
🛒 Buy at Shore
- Beach umbrella
Too bulky for train, rent or buy cheap there
- Beach chairs
Hard to carry on transit
- Ice/cold drinks
Will melt on journey anyway
- Boogie boards
Cheap rentals available everywhere
🚂 Train Rider Essentials
- Backpack (not rolling bag)
Stairs at stations, sandy paths
- Dry bag for wet items
Keep return trip luggage dry
- Portable phone charger
Long day, no car outlet
- Light layers
AC on train, hot at beach
First-Timer's Guide for NYC Residents
Myths vs. Reality
"Jersey beaches are gross"
✓ NJ beaches are clean, well-maintained, and have lifeguards. Far nicer than NYC-area beaches.
"Need a whole weekend"
✓ Day trips work great. Leave early, back by 9pm. Perfect summer Saturday.
"Too expensive"
✓ Free beaches exist (Sandy Hook, Atlantic City, Wildwood). Pack lunch and it's cheaper than a Brooklyn day.
"Need a car"
✓ Train goes to 6+ beach towns directly. Uber/bike once there.
First Trip Tips
Start with Sandy Hook
Closest, free beach, ferry option. Perfect test run.
Download NJ Transit app
Buy tickets before boarding or pay cash penalty.
Check badge requirements
Most beaches need badges ($8-15/day). Sandy Hook, AC, Wildwood are free.
Bring cash
Beach badges often cash-only. ATM fees at shore are brutal.
Leave early or go midweek
Summer weekend traffic is brutal. Not an NYC myth - it's real.
Expect a vibe shift
Shore towns are relaxed, friendly, unpretentious. Embrace it.
Common Mistakes
- ✗ Leaving NYC at 10am on Saturday (traffic nightmare)
- ✗ Not bringing cash for beach badges
- ✗ Underestimating sun exposure (ocean breeze masks sunburn)
- ✗ Skipping sunscreen reapplication after swimming
- ✗ Assuming all beaches allow alcohol (most don't)
Timing Your Day Trip
| Your Goal | Leave NYC | Arrive Shore | Head Back | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum beach time | 6:30am | 8:30-9am | After 7pm | Full day, 8+ hours of beach. Best parking. Avoid all traffic. |
| Relaxed day trip | 8am | 10am | After 6pm | Still beats traffic going. Good parking. 6-7 hours beach time. |
| Half-day escape | 11am | 1pm | 7-8pm | Beat the morning rush, miss worst of return. 4-5 hours of beach. |
| Sunset focus | 3pm | 5pm | 10pm | Skip the midday heat, catch sunset, dinner on boardwalk. |
NYC Day Trip Tips
Timing
- • Leave early (before 7am) to beat traffic
- • Beach arrival by 9-10am is ideal
- • Return after 6pm when traffic eases
- • Weekdays are much less crowded
What to Bring
- • Cash for beach badges ($8-15/day)
- • Sunscreen and shade
- • Cooler with drinks and snacks
- • Towels and change of clothes
If Taking Transit
- • Check return train schedules before going
- • Pack light - you'll carry everything
- • Download NJ Transit app for tickets
- • Bring refillable water bottle
Money Savers
- • Free beaches: Sandy Hook, Atlantic City, Wildwood
- • Beaches are free before 9am and after 5pm
- • Buy weekly badge if staying multiple days
- • Pack lunch to avoid boardwalk prices
Plan Your Beach Day
Explore all Jersey Shore towns to find your perfect beach escape.