There is exactly one surf break in America you can reach on a subway car, and it happens to sit at the far end of Queens. Rockaway Beach is not a secret. It is eleven miles of sand, a string of stone jetties, and on a good fall swell, more surfers in the water than you will find at most beaches twice the size.
Why Rockaway Beach?
This stretch of the Rockaway peninsula is New York City's only legal, lifeguard sanctioned surfing zone, and it has been that way since 2005. A series of jetties, rebuilt and reinforced after Hurricane Sandy, shape the sandbars into consistent A frame peaks that work from the smallest wind swell to a full blown nor'easter.
→ Long period groundswell out of the east and southeast, left over from an Atlantic storm hundreds of miles offshore, is what actually makes Rockaway worth the trip.
↳ An offshore wind out of the north or northwest cleans that swell up into the kind of waist to head high peaks that keep surfers coming back from September through April.
Getting There and Getting Around
- Take the A train toward Far Rockaway. For the Beach 90th to Beach 116th St breaks, most riders transfer to the Rockaway Park Shuttle at Broad Channel, an easy same platform change.
- → From 59th St, Columbus Circle, expect roughly 70 to 90 minutes door to break depending on the transfer wait.
- ↳ A single subway fare is $3 as of 2026. NYC Ferry also runs to Beach 108th St on the bay side if you would rather skip the train.
- Free parking lots sit at Beach 11th to 15th St and Beach 95th St, plus metered street parking along the peninsula that fills up early on summer weekends.
When to Surf
Water temperature swings from a wetsuit free 70degF in summer down to a hooded, gloved 33degF in winter, so most locals surf in a 5/4 or thicker from late fall through spring. The most consistent, powerful swells arrive September through April, while summer brings the warmest water, the smallest waves, and by far the biggest crowds of beginners and surf school groups. Hazards: rip currents running beside the jetties, water quality advisories after heavy rain (check NYC's live beach water quality map before paddling out), recurring summer shark sighting closures, and a stretch of the Jacob Riis Park section that has been closed to surfing in recent seasons after erosion exposed old, rusted wooden groins. The lineup itself can run competitive on good days, especially around the two most popular jetties, so wait your turn and keep your board dinged, not someone else's.
Surf Breaks
- Beach 67th St: The most beginner friendly jetty, packed with surf school groups all summer.
Wave: Mellow, forgiving sandbar peak, a party wave more often than not.
Level: Beginner. - Beach 90th to 91st St: The iconic Rockaway peak, with a rock jetty and sandbar that hold their shape better than most.
Wave: Consistent, well shaped A frames for every level.
Level: Beginner to advanced. - Jacob Riis Park, Bay 1: The western end, separated by a long jetty, local and noticeably less crowded.
Wave: Longer rides, more powerful on a real swell.
Level: Intermediate to advanced. Check current beach notices before surfing here, since sections have closed in past seasons for underwater hazards.
Where to Stay
→ Prices below are approximate and were seen in November 2026, all on the Rockaway peninsula itself.
Budget ($)
Hotel Mint JFK Airport, Far Rockaway
A straightforward motel a few blocks from the Far Rockaway Mott Ave A train terminus. Rooms run from approx. $80/night, seen on Hotels.com.
Mid-Range ($$)
Wingate by Wyndham Far Rockaway, JFK Airport
A standard chain hotel on Beach 21st St. Rooms run from approx. $189/night, seen on Priceline.
Beachfront/Luxury ($$$)
The Rockaway Hotel, Rockaway Park
The neighborhood's boutique beachfront hotel, with a rooftop pool and bar a short walk from the Beach 90th St break. Rooms run from approx. $200/night, seen on Hotels.com and Priceline, though the exact rate swings with the date.
Food and Drink
-
Boardwalk burger: Rippers Burger, Rippers, Beach 86th St boardwalk
→ The go to boardwalk stand for a post surf burger, approx. $12, from the stand's own 2026 season menu. -
Breakfast sandwich: The Shark Attack, Boardwalk Bagel and Delicatessen, Beach 108th St
↳ Three eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, and cheese on a hero, approx. $8.95, seen on the deli's current menu. -
Fish tacos: Tacoway Beach, Arverne boardwalk
A long running local taco stand on the boardwalk. Reviewers mention fish tacos in roughly the $4 to $6 each range, though it is worth confirming it is open for the season before you walk over.
Photographing Rockaway Beach (Surf Snaps)
Between the jetty peaks, the boardwalk, and a skyline you will not find behind any other surf break in the country, Rockaway is one of the most photographed surf spots on the East Coast, and one of the easiest to actually get paid for shooting. Upload a session once at surf-snaps.com/upload and it stays live as a shoppable gallery, with no subscription, listing fee, or storage bill, and nothing owed until a photo actually sells. Surf Snaps takes a 10% revenue share on a sale and pays the rest out monthly, and the photographer keeps copyright throughout. Surfers can browse without even creating an account at surf-snaps.com/explore, with photos listed from $8.
FAQ: Surfing Rockaway Beach, New York
Do I need a permit to surf at Rockaway Beach?
No. There is no surf tag or permit required today. Stick to the designated surf zones at Beach 66th to 70th, Beach 87th to 92nd, and Beach 110th to 111th St to stay inside NYC Parks rules, especially when lifeguards are on duty.
How do I get to Rockaway Beach without a car?
Take the A train toward Far Rockaway and transfer to the Rockaway Park Shuttle at Broad Channel for the Beach 90th to 116th St breaks. Expect roughly 70 to 90 minutes from Manhattan.
Is Rockaway Beach good for beginners?
Yes, particularly around Beach 67th St, where most of the city's surf schools run lessons. Other jetties, like Beach 90th to 91st St, work for every level depending on swell size.
When is the best time to surf Rockaway Beach?
September through April brings the most consistent, powerful groundswell out of the east and southeast. Summer has the warmest water but the smallest waves and the biggest crowds.
Where can I find photos of my session at Rockaway Beach?
Check surf-snaps.com/explore, where photographers shooting the Rockaway jetties list their galleries by date, so you can search for your own session without needing an account just to browse.
