BEACH PATROL

Summer is finally here and now is the time to enjoy the gorgeous beaches in the Hamptons. From Westhampton Beach to Montauk, the beaches on the East End are some of the most spectacular in the world.

On the western end of Dune Road, Cupsogue Beach County Park in Westhampton Beach is a 296-acre barrier beach park on the ocean with white sandy beaches. It has lifeguards, restrooms, outdoor showers, and The Cupsogue Beach Hut Raw Bar & Grill, offering seafood and live music. Recreational Vehicle Permit is required for outer beach access and camping. East of the Shinnecock Canal on the Great Peconic Bay, is Meschutt Beach County Park in Hampton Bays. It has a playground, lifeguards, restrooms, outdoor showers, and The Meschutt Beach Hut Raw Bar & Grill, offering seafood and live music. On Friday summer nights enjoy the Classic Car show. East of Shinnecock Inlet is Shinnecock East County Park in Southampton, an undeveloped barrier beach park with both ocean and bay beach recreation areas. It features a favorite fishing and surf spot just off the jetty, popularly known as “Flies.” Recreational Vehicle Permit is required for outer beach access and camping. No lifeguards or restrooms! www.suffolkcountyny.gov

The Village of Westhampton Beach and The Village of Quogue feature ocean beaches for residents/renters only, with lifeguards, restrooms, and outdoor showers. Westhampton Beach includes Lashley Beach, with a surf spot off the jetty and Rogers Beach, with beach volleyball and a snack bar in the pavilion.
www.westhamptonbeach.org. Quogue Village Beach is a small beach with a concession stand in the pavilion. www.villageofquogueny.gov

The Town of Southampton has seven ocean beaches and one bay beach featuring lifeguards, restrooms, outdoor showers, and mobile concession trucks or food pavilions. On the ocean, Pikes Beach is a quiet beach in Westhampton Dunes, Tiana Beach in East Quogue has a food pavilion, and Ponquogue Beach in Hampton Bays, the largest town beach, features a food pavilion and deck. It also has beach volleyball. Across the road, there is a boat ramp at The Old Ponquogue Bridge Marine Park. Heading east Flying Point Beach in Water Mill has beach volleyball. In Bridgehampton, W. Scott Cameron Beach is for residents only and Mecox Beach has beach volleyball. Sagg Main Beach in Sagaponack is a beautiful big beach. Surfing allowed outside protected swimming areas at these beaches. The quiet bay beach, Foster Memorial (Long) Beach on Noyac Bay is great for children. Enjoy stand-up paddleboarding and watching the sunset. www.southamptontownny.gov

The Village of Southampton features eleven ocean beaches including Coopers Beach, the only Southampton Village beach with lifeguards. It has volleyball, a pavilion with a concession stand, restrooms, and outdoor showers. It was voted the best beach in the U.S. in 2010 by Dr. Beach, for its pristine white sand and nice amenities. Surfing in designated areas. www.southamptonvillage.org. The Village of Sag Harbor’s only beach, Havens Beach is a small bay beach with views of the sailboats on Sag Harbor Bay. It has a playground, lifeguards, restrooms, and gazebo. www.sagharborny.gov

The Village of East Hampton has three ocean beaches with lifeguards and restrooms. Georgica Beach is a beautiful beach with a popular surf break. Has an outdoor shower. Main Beach has outdoor showers and a nice concession stand in a pavilion. It was voted the best beach in the U.S. in 2013 by Dr. Beach for its water and sand quality. Two Mile Hollow Beach is more secluded. No surfing allowed in designated swimming areas at these beaches. Wiborg Beach is a favorite surf spot and Egypt Beach is a more rugged beach. No lifeguards or restrooms!
 www.easthamptonvillage.org

The Town of East Hampton bay beaches with lifeguards and restrooms include Maidstone Park in Springs, with a playground, picnic tables, and a concession trailer, Big Albert’s Landing Beach in Amagansett, with BBQ grills and picnic tables, and East Lake Beach (Gin Beach) in Montauk, overlooking Block Island Sound with beautiful sunsets. Town ocean beaches featuring lifeguards, restrooms, and outdoor showers, include Amagansett’s Indian Wells Beach with beach volleyball and a concession trailer and Atlantic Avenue Beach with a concession stand. In Montauk, Kirk Park Beach has free parking and Edison Beach behind The Sloppy Tuna has beach volleyball, no outdoor showers. Ditch Plains Beach, the renowned surfer’s beach with its scenic cliffs and jetty, features the famous “Ditch Witch” concession trailer.
www.ehamptonny.gov

Hither Hills State Park in Montauk is a 168-site campground on the ocean featuring picnic areas, fireplaces, a playground, lifeguards, restrooms, outdoor and indoor showers, a concession stand and General Store. It is a beautiful, scenic sandy beach. No pets allowed. To make a reservation for one week only, visit www.reserveamerica.com exactly nine months in advance! At the eastern tip of the South Fork, Montauk Point State Park offers magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound. Watch the seals on the rocks offshore or visit Montauk Point Lighthouse. Surfing is allowed from December 15 through March 31. Restrooms. No lifeguards! www.nysparks.com

Discover the magnificent beaches along the South Fork. From the white sandy beaches of the Hamptons to the scenic rocky shoreline of Montauk, the East End is a coastal paradise!

Ruth Thomas, a freelance writer on the East End enjoys history, music, literature, art, nature, the beach, and her cute dachshund, Clancy. She can be contacted at [email protected]