The sun is finally back, the humidity has eased up, and it feels like the perfect excuse to head to the beach. After on-and-off storms throughout the weekend and last week, New Yorkers surely deserve some fun in the sun today.
But before you pack your towel and sunscreen, you’ll want to double-check your destination.
More than 90 beaches across New York City and Long Island are currently under swim advisories—or temporarily closed—following this week’s heavy rain.
Why Is the Water Unsafe Despite Today’s Sunshine?
Heavy downpours earlier in the week swept urban runoff, debris, and stormwater into surrounding coastal bays and coastal waters.
This sudden influx triggered elevated bacteria levels, prompting county health departments and the NYC Health Department to issue strict health warnings to prevent gastrointestinal and skin infections.
In addition to bacteria concerns, a Rip Current Statement remains active for coastal areas across Kings County (Brooklyn), Queens, Nassau County, and Suffolk County, creating dangerous swimming hazards along ocean-facing shores.
Hard Closures: Beaches Completely Off-Limits to Swimming
While many locations permit shore visits with swim cautions, certain beaches have been fully shut down to all water activity until contamination levels fall:
- Hewlett Beach (Nassau County)
- Ronkonkoma Beach (Suffolk County)
Note: Walking on the sand or boardwalk is still permitted at most locations, but entering the water is strictly prohibited or advised against while tests are pending.
NYC Beaches Under Active Swim Advisories
Health officials recommend avoiding swimming or wading at the following New York City public and private beaches:
- Brooklyn: Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, Gerritsen/Kiddie Beach, Kingsborough Community College, Sea Gate 42nd
- Staten Island: Cedar Grove, Midland Beach, South Beach, The Strand
- The Bronx: American Turner, Morris Yacht Club, Schuyler Hill Civic Association, West Fordham Street Association, White Cross Fishing Club
- Queens: Danish American Beach Club, Douglaston Manor, Trinity Danish, Whitestone Booster Civic Association
Long Island Beaches Impacted Across Nassau & Suffolk
Dozens of popular sound, bay, and oceanfront spots across Long Island have entered advisory status:
- Town of Huntington & North Shore: Asharoken Beach, Centerport Beach, Crab Meadow Beach, Crescent Beach, Eagle Dock, Fleets Cove, Hobart Beach, Lloyd Harbor Village Park, Steers Beach, West Neck Beach
- Town of Oyster Bay & Glen Cove: Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club, Morgan Memorial Beach, Piping Rock Beach, Pryibil Beach, Ransom Beach, Sea Cliff Beach, Tappen Beach, Theodore Roosevelt Beach
- South Shore & Fire Island Sound: Amityville Beach, Biltmore Beach, Brightwaters Beach, East Islip Beach, Island Park Beach, Islip Beach, Sayville Marina Park, Tanner Park, Venetian Shores, West Islip Beach
- Northport, Smithtown & Eastward: Callahan’s Beach, Nissequogue Point Beach, Short Beach, Stony Brook Beach, Miller Place Park Beach, Shoreham Beach, Sound Beach, Woodhull Landing
When Will Beaches Reopen for Swimming?
- Advisory Duration: Water quality warnings remain active through Wednesday morning, or until health departments complete lab sampling and verify that bacteria levels have safely subsided.
- Next Steps: Local health officials conduct daily water testing across public access points. Advisories will be lifted individually as water quality returns to state standards.