Long Island is home to some of the best family-friendly beaches on the East Coast.
The North Shore offers calm waters. The South Shore provides crashing waves. Each has a perfect beach day waiting for every family. Whether you’re packing a cooler for a picnic, this guide will help you find the perfect sandy spot. It will also help if you’re chasing crabs with the kids.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Top Tips for Families

1. Arrive early for parking, especially on weekends and holidays.

2. Always check if a resident or non-resident permit is required before going.

3. Pack sunscreen, snacks, beach toys, wipes, goggles, nets, and plenty of water!

4. Check beach websites or social media for closures, water quality alerts, or jellyfish sightings.

Know of an upcoming event?
Contact us to submit it or share a flyer with us on Facebook Messenger.

🏘️ Top Family Beaches by Township

Permit: 🅿️ Resident Permit Required for parking at town beaches.
Location Type: Mostly 🌊 Ocean and 🌅 Bay beaches. (See a full key at the bottom)

Town of Babylon

• Cedar Beach (Ocean Parkway) 🌊 🧼 🍔 🧺 🏄 🚿 🅿 🎣 ⛵
  ✔️ Walkable boardwalk, food pavilion, playground, fishing pier nearby.
• Gilgo Beach 🌊 🧼 🍔 🅿
  ✔️ Surf-friendly and quieter vibe with food stand.
• Overlook Beach (residents only) 🌊 🧼 🧺 🅿
  ✔️ Cleaner and more private with a laid-back feel.
• Tanner Park (Copiague) 🌅 🚻 💦 🛴 🥪 🍔 👩‍🦽 🅿 🎣 ⛵
  ✔️ Bayfront park with spray park, large playground, concession stand, fishing pier, and marina. Live summer concerts make it a favorite for local families.
• Venetian Shores (Lindenhurst) 🌅 🚻 🛴 🥪 🍔 👩‍🦽 🅿
  ✔️ Family-friendly bay beach with shaded picnic areas, playground, volleyball court, and summer entertainment at the outdoor amphitheater.

Town of Islip

• Bay Shore Marina Beach 🌅 🚻 🛴 💦 🥪 🅿️ 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Splash pad, shaded picnic spots, perfect for little ones.
• Heckscher State Park Beach 🌅 🚻 🥪 🚿 🏄 🦋 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Wide open fields, kayaking access, nature center.
• Sayville Marina Park Beach 🌅 🚻 🛴 🥪 🅿️
  ✔️ Easy to supervise kids between the beach and playground.

Town of Brookhaven

• Cedar Beach (Mt. Sinai) 🌅 🚻 🛴 🐚 🥪 🚿 🅿️ 🦋 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Marine Environmental Center, playground, scenic walking trails.
• Shoreham Beach 🌅 🚻 🥪 🅿
  ✔️ Peaceful and perfect for families who enjoy less crowded beaches.️
• West Meadow Beach (Stony Brook) 🌅 🚻 🐚 🥪 🅿️ 🦋 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Boardwalks, tidal pools, and nature programs.

Town of Huntington

• Crab Meadow Beach 🌅 🚻 🛴 🥪 🍔 🚿 🅿️ 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Big playground, food concessions, calm water for young swimmers.
• Hobart Beach (Eatons Neck) 🌅 🚻 🥪 🅿
  ✔️ Small, scenic, and peaceful—great for relaxing.️

Town of Oyster Bay

• Tobay Beach 🌊 🌅 🚻 💦 🛴 🍔 🥪 🚿 🏄 🅿️ 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Ocean and bay access, splash park, dining, and playground.
• Centre Island Beach 🌅 🚻 🥪 🅿️ 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Calm waters and relaxing picnic spaces.
• Philip Healey Beach 🌅 🚻 🛴 🥪 🅿
  ✔️ Bayfront beach with a playground and easy access for families.️

Nassau County Parks

• Nickerson Beach (Lido Beach) 🌊 🚻 💦 🛴 🥪 🍔 🚿 🅿️ 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Spray park, multiple playgrounds, volleyball courts, family cabanas.

Suffolk County Parks

• Permit: Open to all; day use fees apply
• Smith Point County Park 🌊 🚻 🥪 🍔 🚿 🏄 🅿️ 🦋 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Fire Island access, nature center, camping available.
• Cupsogue Beach County Park 🌊 🚻 🥪 🍔 🚿 🏄 🅿️ 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Oceanfront fun, food stands, and walk-on access to Moriches Inlet.

New York State Parks (Open to ALL)

• Permit: Empire Pass or daily fee
• Jones Beach State Park (Wantagh) 🌊 🌅 🚻 🛴 💦 🥪 🍔 🚿 🏄 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Iconic boardwalk, splash pad, mini golf, wheelchair accessible beach mats. (Bay side is by the theatre.)
• Robert Moses State Park (Babylon) 🌊 🚻 🥪 🍔 🚿 🏄 🅿️ 👩‍🦽
  ✔️ Serene, wide beaches with access to Fire Island Lighthouse.

📌 Planning Your Visit

Make sure to bring:

• Beach toys and sandcastle tools in a net bag 🏖
• ️Don’t forget sunscreen or a sun hat if you burn easily!
• Life vests for non-swimmers
• A beach umbrella or pop-up tent ☂️
• Change of clothes and towels
• Baby powder (for easy sand removal)
• ALSO make sure everyone’s bathing suits are in bright colors like orange, yellow or neon pink. These colors are easily seen by lifeguards. (Check out ALIVE solutions’ graphic for pool and lake suggestions.)

🔍 Emoji Key for Amenities and Activities

💦 Spray Park	🚿 Outdoor Showers
🛴 Playground	🌊 Ocean Beach
🐚 Nature/Marine Life	🌅 Bay Beach
🥪 Picnic Area	👩‍🦽 ADA Accessible
🍔 Food/Concessions	🚻 Restrooms
🦋 Nature Center / Environmental Education	🅿️ Resident Permit Required
🎣 Fishing Pier	⛵ Marina
🏄 Water Activities (Surfing,(kayaking, & paddleboarding)

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Want to add an event to our list? Submit your info email to lifamilyadventures@gmail.com.