When is the best time to surf Long Beach?
Peak Sep–Oct · often good Nov–Mar, Aug · can still fire Apr–Jul.
September is the prime month — post-summer hurricane swell with still-warm water (low 70s°F) and the cleanest, most consistent peaks of the year, running into a strong October–November autumn window. December through March brings the biggest, emptiest waves via nor'easters and North Atlantic storms — brutal cold (water in the 30s–low 40s°F) demanding a 5/4 hooded suit, gloves and boots, but the best surf of the year for anyone who suits up. Summer (June–August) is the warmest water and generally smaller, with southern windswell and early tropicals sneaking in real days — worth watching, since that's also when surf-zone restrictions and crowds peak. Bring a 3/2 for early-autumn hurricane swells and a 5/4 setup for winter.
What does a surf trip to Long Beach look like?
A typical trip from our guide. A real alert comes with the forecast for each day and a fare from your airport.
How much does a surf trip to Long Beach cost?
A five-night trip, per person, before food and rentals.
Flight ranges are typical round-trip fares for July from Google Flights price history, checked Sep 3. Stays use our guide's nightly bands; transfers use the guide's quoted rates. Real alerts price the exact dates.
Where should you stay at Long Beach?
Ocean Club Long Beach (vacation rentals) $
vacation rental · 1–3 blocks to the boardwalk depending on unit
Why this one: Long Beach's lodging is overwhelmingly short-term rentals rather than hotels — Airbnb/Vrbo apartments and beach houses a few blocks off the sand are the realistic mid-range pick, often cheaper per head for two or more surfers and within easy walking distance of a jetty. Verify the exact listing and house rules before booking; inventory and individual hosts rotate.
Nicer: The Allegria Hotel, On the boardwalk — steps to the sand and jetty peaks · Also: Long Beach boardwalk-area Airbnbs (Park Ave / West End), 2–5 blocks to the boardwalk
Points play: Hampton Inn & Suites Rockville Centre (Hilton), about 30–45k points a night, 15 min from the break.
Browse stays near the breakThe full list, with every pick and its booking link, is under where to stay below.
What is the wave like at Long Beach?
Break type
Beach/Jetty
Wave direction
Both
Best swell
ESE (E–SE window)
Ideal size
2–5 ft
Best tide
Low to mid
High: swamped shorebreak
Consistency
Consistent
Peak season
Sep–Oct
Nearest airport
JFK · ~14 mi
Drive from airport
25–45 min
The calendar here is a rhythm worth learning. Long Beach runs on two engines: late-summer and autumn hurricane swell (September is the standout month, with August and the fall run close behind), and winter nor'easters and North Atlantic storms that funnel cold, powerful surf into the jetties from December through March. Those winter days are the best and emptiest waves of the year, and they demand a 5/4 wetsuit, hood, gloves and 5–7mm boots — people genuinely paddle out covered in ice. Between swells, summer goes small and playful, and a southern-hemisphere windswell or early tropical system can wake the jetties with only a few days' notice. There's a strict city-run surfing program too: leashes required, designated rotating surf beaches, and zones that close at noon on summer weekends and holidays, so checking the current beach schedule before you paddle out matters here in a way it doesn't at most breaks.
The upside of an urban break is everything behind the boardwalk. Park Avenue and West Beech Street give you two real surf shops, bagel counters, taco joints, BBQ and serious New American kitchens, a Stop & Shop two blocks off the sand, and the train back to Manhattan. You don't need a car, you don't need to plan a season, and you can be standing on the boardwalk checking it within an hour of leaving the city. Time it to a hurricane pulse or a winter swell window and Long Beach delivers the most accessible quality surf on the Eastern Seaboard.
Who it suits
Intermediate-and-up surfers chasing accessible, swell-dependent beach-break peaks within an hour of NYC; cold-water-ready travelers who can time a hurricane or winter swell window. Summer beginners can find soft, friendly days but should expect mostly small surf.
Where exactly is Long Beach?
40.5883, -73.6683
What are the lineup and the town like at Long Beach?
Localism
moderate
Crowd
A large, year-round surfing population plus weekend visitors from across the city — summer and clean autumn swells draw genuine crowds at the marquee jetties (Lincoln Blvd, Lido). It thins out fast in cold water: the best winter nor'easter days see only the committed few willing to suit up in the 30s. Dawn patrol is your friend any season.
Long Beach is known as a real city surf town with a deep, capable local population, so lineups can be competitive and the better jetty peaks get prioritized by regulars who surf them daily. It's not aggressive by reputation, but it rewards lineup awareness: don't drop in, don't paddle straight to the inside of the best bank, take your turn, and the welcome warms quickly. Crowds and tension ease dramatically once the water turns cold.
In the lineup: Peaks form against the granite jetties/groins, throwing A-frame rights and lefts off the rocks — sit just off the sandbar that's working, not on top of the rocks, and watch for jetty rip current that can sweep you toward the structure on bigger days. Best around low tide. Surfing is restricted to designated city surf beaches (Lincoln Blvd and Azores run year-round; others rotate), with leashes required and zones that close at noon on summer weekends/holidays — check the current schedule.
Long Beach feels like a dense, walkable beach city rather than a sleepy surf village: a 2.2-mile boardwalk, a gridded street plan, a Park Avenue spine of bagel shops, bars, tacos and sushi, and a West End nightlife strip — all on a barrier island 55 minutes from Manhattan. It's a year-round community (this is people's actual home, not a resort), with a strong post-Sandy rebuilt pride. Summer is crowded and lively; the off-season is quieter, colder and, for surfers, better.
How do you get to Long Beach?
Fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport, Queens (JFK) — about 14 miles from the break, 25–45 min (traffic-dependent). LaGuardia (LGA) is roughly 20 mi / 35–55 min and fine for domestic arrivals. Newark (EWR) works for international or cheaper fares but is ~35 mi and 1–1.5+ hours across the city. For most surfers flying domestic, JFK is the obvious choice.
- rideshare$45–75 to Long Beach · 25–45 min
Uber/Lyft straight from the JFK rideshare pickup is the simplest door-to-door option with boards — request an XL for anything over 6'6" or a bag, and confirm the driver is okay with a board bag. Surge pricing spikes in bad weather (i.e. exactly when it's firing).
- rental car$45–90/day · 25–45 min drive
All major agencies at JFK. Useful if you want to also surf Lido, Long Beach West End, or chase swell to Rockaway/Montauk, but parking on the barrier island is metered/permit-restricted in summer. Request a wagon or SUV with roof rails, or bring soft racks for longboards.
- bus$8–17 LIRR fare (plus AirTrain $8.50 + subway) · 1.5–2 hours total via the city
Carless public-transit route (LIRR commuter train): JFK AirTrain to Jamaica, then LIRR — but the direct Long Beach Branch runs from Penn Station/Jamaica, so you'll often change. Doable with a single travel board bag, awkward with a coffin. Note: bicycles are not allowed on LIRR. Hourly service, ~56 min Penn–Long Beach.
- taxi$55–90 to Long Beach · 25–45 min
Yellow cabs and the JFK taxi line will do the run on the meter plus tolls; agree the vehicle fits your board bag before loading. Rideshare is usually cheaper unless surging.
Do you need a car at Long Beach?
Do you need a car?
optional
Walkability
Excellent. Long Beach is a compact, gridded barrier island — from most lodging or the LIRR station you can walk to the boardwalk, surf shops, Park Avenue restaurants and the sand in 5–15 minutes. The beach and boardwalk run the full length of town, so wherever you stay you're close to a jetty peak.
You don't need a car here. The town is flat, walkable, and bikeable end-to-end along a 2.2-mile boardwalk, with LBNY Bike Rental and other shops offering beach cruisers (roughly $25–45/day). Uber and Lyft operate normally for runs to Lido, the West End, the train, or Stop & Shop. The LIRR Long Beach Branch connects you to Manhattan and the wider Long Island network in under an hour. A car only earns its keep if you plan to chase swell to Rockaway, Gilgo or the South Shore on a road trip.
Boards: On the island, walk or bike your board to the jetty nearest your lodging — most peaks are a short stroll from the boardwalk ramps. Rideshare with a board means requesting XL and messaging the driver; sedans won't take a coffin bag. Bikes can't go on the LIRR, so plan the train leg as walk-on with a travel bag. Both surf shops rent boards if you'd rather not fly with one.
Where can you stay near Long Beach?
On the boardwalk — steps to the sand and jetty peaks · Long Island's main oceanfront hotel and effectively the only full-service option directly on Long Beach's boardwalk: 156 rooms, rooftop pool, two restaurants, and a complimentary daily beach pass. The convenient (if pricey) base if you want to roll out of bed and check the surf. Book ahead for autumn weekends. (Direct (allegriahotelny.com), Booking.com, Expedia)
1–3 blocks to the boardwalk depending on unit · Long Beach's lodging is overwhelmingly short-term rentals rather than hotels — Airbnb/Vrbo apartments and beach houses a few blocks off the sand are the realistic mid-range pick, often cheaper per head for two or more surfers and within easy walking distance of a jetty. Verify the exact listing and house rules before booking; inventory and individual hosts rotate. (Airbnb, Vrbo)
2–5 blocks to the boardwalk · The bulk of in-town stays: well-reviewed (4.8–4.9 avg) one- and two-bed apartments and beach-house floors near Park Avenue's restaurants or out in the West End near the BBQ/bar strip, most a short walk to a surf beach. Best value in shoulder season; summer beachfront books out early. (Airbnb, Vrbo)
~10–15 mi inland — 20–30 min drive to the beach · Long Beach itself has very few traditional hotels, so on sold-out summer weekends travelers fall back to chain and boutique hotels in nearby Nassau towns (Garden City, Rockville Centre, Westbury). Only worth it if in-town rentals are gone; you'll need a car or rideshare to the surf. Confirm the specific property and current ratings before booking. (Booking.com, hotel direct sites)
Adjacent to Lido Beach jetty peaks; ~2 mi east of central Long Beach · Quieter, more residential rentals just east in Lido Beach put you next to Lido's jetty sandbars and a calmer scene than central Long Beach, while still a short ride from Park Avenue. Good for surfers who want to be on the sand without the boardwalk bustle. (Airbnb, Vrbo)
Where do you eat at Long Beach?
- Long Island Bagel Cafecafe · $ budget
Fresh bacon-egg-and-cheese on a hand-rolled bagel before a dawn session — Classic Long Island bagel counter at 757 E Park Ave — every bagel you can think of, fast, cheap, and the standard pre-surf fuel stop. The kind of place that's busy from sunrise.
- Long Beach Coffee & Teecafe · $ budget
Espresso and a fresh pastry on a flat-day morning — Well-reviewed Park Avenue coffee spot at 220 W Park Ave (4.5 on Yelp/Restaurant Guru) with espresso drinks, teas, pastries and two outdoor areas — the post-session coffee for anyone who wants something better than a deli cup. Open year-round.
- Swingbellys Beachside BBQrestaurant · $ mid-range
Hickory-and-cherry-smoked brisket and ribs off the rotisserie pit — West End institution at 909 W Beech St — low-and-slow wood-smoked BBQ with house sauces and from-scratch sides. Hearty, well-reviewed, and the go-to refuel after a cold winter session. Bookable on OpenTable.
- Nagahama Japanese Restaurantrestaurant · $ mid-range
Sushi and sashimi (Zagat-rated tops for Long Island sushi) — Long-running, highly rated sushi at 169 E Park Ave. The sit-down dinner when you want something beyond beach food; can get a wait on weekends.
- Lost and Foundrestaurant · $$ high-end
Seasonal New American small plates — Intimate, top-ranked New American spot at 951 W Beech St (4.5 on Tripadvisor, #3 of ~90 restaurants). Dinner only, roughly Thu–Sun, 5–10pm — reserve ahead. The nice-night-out option in town.
- Patio Catrachorestaurant · $ budget
Honduran baleadas and grilled meats — Honduran kitchen at 66 W Park Ave — cheap, filling, and a reminder Long Beach has real local diversity behind the boardwalk crowd. Solid budget eat.
- The Coffee Nut Cafecafe · $ budget
Espresso and fresh-baked pastries, the indie alternative to the chains — Independent Park Avenue coffee-and-dessert café at 250 E Park Ave with a loyal local following — espressos, lattes, gelato and house-baked pastries. Good for a slow flat-day morning.
- Vito's on the Beachbar · $ mid-range
Beers and casual Italian-American at the West End boardwalk — Popular West End hangout at the western end of the boardwalk — the after-surf beer-and-a-bite spot when you want a deck and a crowd. Casual, seasonal energy.
Cooking for yourself
- Stop & Shop (85 E Park Ave)supermarket
Full-size supermarket two blocks off the boardwalk on Park Avenue, open ~7am–10pm daily, with produce, meat/seafood, bakery, pharmacy and a gas station. Everything you need to self-cater a rental for a swell window. The main grocery in town.
- Park Avenue delis & marketsminimart
Park Avenue and the side streets are lined with delis, bodegas and small markets for sandwiches, snacks, water, beer and last-minute basics within a short walk of any lodging — handy for a quick pre-dawn grab when Stop & Shop is a few blocks too far.
- Long Beach Farmers Market (seasonal)farmers market
Seasonal Saturday farmers market (warmer months) with local produce, baked goods and prepared food — a nice flat-day stop, though hours/location shift by year, so check current listings before counting on it.
Where do you rent or fix a board?
- Unsound Surfboard rental · wetsuits · ding repair · board sales · lessons · wax · leashes · fins · apparel · ~$25–45/day board; wetsuit rental extra
Long Beach's anchor surf shop, established 1997 and located on E Park Ave — a true surf/skate/snow shop with board and wetsuit rentals, ding repair, a full retail wall (boards, suits, hardware, wax) and lessons. The first stop for wax, a leash, a rental, or a winter-suit fix. Recent, active Google/Yelp presence.
- Skudin Surflessons · board rental · Lessons ~$80–120+ depending on private/group
Long-established surf school (beach tents at Long Beach, Lido and TOBAY) run by a well-known local big-wave family — year-round lessons 7 days/week and summer day camps for kids and adults. The pick for first-timers or anyone wanting a guided session; not a retail board store. Book via skudinsurf.com.
What do you do when it's flat?
- Long Beach boardwalk walk or bikenature · free; bike rental ~$25–45/day
The 2.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk is the heart of town — walk or rent a cruiser from LBNY Bike Rental and ride the full length checking every jetty for sandbars. The default flat-day activity and the best way to scout the surf.
- Day trip into NYC via LIRRculture · $8–17 each way (LIRR)
The unbeatable urban-break perk: a ~56-minute train from Long Beach to Penn Station puts you in Manhattan for a flat-day museum, show or dinner, then back to the beach the same night. Hourly service, every day.
- Surf Rockaway Beach (Queens)water · free to surf; ~$30–50 rideshare or LIRR+ferry
NYC's other surf zone, ~30–40 min west, with its own jetty peaks at 67th–69th St and a buzzy beach scene. A solid swell-window alternative when Long Beach's banks aren't working, or just to compare lineups.
- Jones Beach State Parknature · ~$10 vehicle entry (seasonal); free to walk in
Vast state-park beach and boardwalk a short drive east, with the Jones Beach Theater concert venue and miles of sand. The big-nature day-trip when you want space away from town.
- Long Beach bar & boardwalk nightlife (West End)nightlife · $
The West End strip along Beech Street packs the town's bars and casual nightlife — a lively after-dark scene in summer, mellower in the off-season. Where the local surf crowd ends up post-session.
- Stand-up paddle / kayak the bay sidewater · ~$30–60 rental/tour
The calm Reynolds Channel / bay side of the island is good for SUP and kayaking on flat ocean days — seasonal rental operators run out of the bay-side launches. A mellow cross-train when the surf's dead.
What should you know before you go?
Cash & ATMs
No cash problems — this is metro New York. ATMs are everywhere along Park Avenue (bank branches, delis, Stop & Shop) within a short walk of any lodging, and cards are accepted essentially everywhere. Bring a little cash only for tips and the odd cash-only deli.
Medical
Mount Sinai South Nassau, a full acute-care hospital with a 24/7 emergency department, is in nearby Oceanside, roughly 5–7 mi / 15–20 min from Long Beach. Urgent-care clinics and pharmacies (including the Stop & Shop pharmacy) are in town on Park Avenue. For surf injuries you're well covered.
Water safety
Cold water is the dominant hazard: winter ocean temps drop into the 30s–low 40s°F, demanding a 5/4 hooded wetsuit, gloves and boots, and bringing real hypothermia and ice-up risk on the best days — never surf winter alone. The jetties create localized rip currents that pull toward the rock structure, so sit off the bars, not against the granite, and respect the groins on bigger swells. Lifeguards staff designated beaches in summer (roughly 9am–6pm) but not in the off-season prime surf months, so winter and shoulder-season surfers are on their own. Water quality is generally good and monitored, but avoid surfing for ~24–48 hours after heavy rain due to stormwater/CSO runoff. Leashes are legally required at the city surf beaches.
United States basics: money, entry, phones, water
Currency
US Dollar (USD) — Home currency — 1 USD = 1 USD
Entry (US passport)
Unlimited — domestic travel — No passport needed for travel within the 50 states (including Hawaii) or to Puerto Rico. Since May 7, 2025 you need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (star marking) or a passport to clear TSA for domestic flights — check your license before booking.
Language
English, Spanish (widely spoken, esp. California, Texas, Florida). Native — English works everywhere, including every surf town.
Plugs
A, B · 120V / 60Hz
Tipping
Expected and culturally significant: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, 10–15% for taxis/rideshares. Counter-service tip screens are common but optional.
Phone / data
Your existing US plan, T-Mobile / AT&T prepaid, Travel eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad). Strong LTE/5G in cities and most coastal towns. Expect dead zones on rural stretches of coast — parts of the Big Sur/Central California coast, the North Shore of Kauai, and remote East Coast barrier beaches. Download offline maps for surf-check drives.
Tap water
Safe to drink nationwide from municipal supplies, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Emergency
911 for police, fire, and ambulance everywhere (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico). International visitors: US healthcare is extremely expensive — an ER visit can run thousands of dollars — so travel insurance with medical coverage is essential.
Other passports: entry rules differ — check the official source before booking.
Alert me when Long Beach is on
Drop your email and you'll get one message when our forecast shows a trip-worthy window here: the dates, the size, and a place to stay. Free, no account.
Frequently asked questions about Long Beach
Can you surf in Long Beach, NY?
Yes — Long Beach on Long Island is New York City's main surf break, a jetty-and-sandbar beach break 55 minutes from Penn Station by train. Surfing is allowed year-round at designated city surf beaches (Lincoln Blvd and Azores run all year, others rotate), with leashes required and some summer weekend/holiday time restrictions.
When is the best time to surf Long Beach, New York?
September is the standout month — hurricane swell with still-warm water — running into a strong autumn window through November. Winter (December–March) brings the biggest, emptiest waves via nor'easters but in very cold water needing a 5/4 hooded wetsuit. Summer is warmest but usually small and crowded.
How do you get to Long Beach from NYC or the airport?
The LIRR Long Beach Branch runs hourly from Penn Station in about 56 minutes ($8–17). From JFK (about 12 miles), a rideshare is 25–45 minutes and ~$45–75; LaGuardia and Newark are alternatives. You don't need a car — the town is fully walkable and bikeable.
Do you need a wetsuit to surf Long Beach?
Almost always. Summer water sits in the 60s–low 70s°F (a 3/2 or boardshorts-plus-top by midsummer), but the best surf comes in autumn and winter when you'll want a 3/2 for early hurricane swells and a 5/4 hooded suit with gloves and 5–7mm boots for the cold-water nor'easter season.
Is there a surf shop in Long Beach, NY?
Yes — Unsound Surf on E Park Ave (est. 1997) is the full retail and rental shop for boards, wetsuits, wax, ding repair and lessons, and Skudin Surf runs year-round lessons and summer camps from beach tents. Both are an easy walk or ride from the boardwalk.
How crowded does Long Beach get for surfing?
It can be busy — Long Beach has a large, year-round local surf population, so clean summer and autumn swells draw real crowds at the best jetties like Lincoln Blvd and Lido. It thins out dramatically in cold water, so the emptiest quality waves are winter nor'easter days for those willing to suit up.
Do surfers need a beach pass at Long Beach?
Long Beach charges seasonal and daily beach passes in summer (roughly mid-June through early September, with daily passes roughly $12 resident / $16.50 non-resident, and surfers 13+ still need a pass in season), but the surf beaches and off-season surfing operate differently from general beachgoing — check the city's current beachpass and surfing-info pages, since rules and surfer requirements change yearly.
Sources for this guide
- longbeachny.govofficial · Official surf rules: leash requirement, designated/rotating surf beaches (Lincoln Blvd, Azores), foil-board ban, weekend/holiday noon closur
- surfline.comsecondary source · Spot character, jetty/sandbar setup, best tide (low), peak season (September/autumn), crowd and access notes
- surfing-waves.comsecondary source · Beach reclamation/jetty fortification creating predictable sandbars, Lincoln Blvd and Lido as main spots, crowd and seasonal access
- unsoundsurf.comofficial · Unsound Surf existence (est. 1997, Dave Juan & Mike Nelson), services: board/wetsuit rental, repairs, lessons, retail
- skudinsurf.comofficial · Skudin Surf lessons/camps, year-round 7-day operation, Long Beach/Lido/TOBAY beach-tent locations, family big-wave background
- allegriahotelny.comofficial · Allegria Hotel as Long Beach's main oceanfront hotel — boardwalk location, 156 rooms, complimentary daily beach pass, ~11 mi to JFK
- stores.stopandshop.comofficial · Stop & Shop grocery at 85 E Park Ave — hours ~7am–10pm, pharmacy/gas, full supermarket two blocks off boardwalk
- swingbellyslongbeach.comofficial · Swingbellys Beachside BBQ (909 W Beech St) — wood-smoked rotisserie BBQ, West End location, live menu
- nagahamasushi.comofficial · Nagahama Japanese Restaurant (169 E Park Ave) — sushi, Zagat-rated, live site/menu
- m.yelp.comsecondary source · Lost and Found (951 W Beech St) — New American, top-ranked, recent reviews, hours/days
- mta.infoofficial · LIRR Long Beach Branch — hourly Penn Station service, ~56 min, $8–17 fare, bikes-not-allowed rule
- longbeachny.govofficial · Beach pass system and seasonal/daily fees, summer pass requirement dates and hours
- cleanlinesurf.comsecondary source · Northeast wetsuit guidance and seasonal water temps — 5/4 hooded + boots/gloves for winter, 3/2 for early hurricane swell
- mountsinai.orgofficial · Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital (Oceanside, ~5–7 mi) — acute-care with emergency department, nearest hospital
- lbnybikerental.comofficial · Boardwalk bike rental availability and that Long Beach is fully bikeable along the 2.2-mile boardwalk
Guide researched and verified 2026-06-17. Details change; confirm bookings and entry requirements before travel.