Rockaway Beach sits at the far end of the A train’s longest branch, a 10-mile barrier peninsula separating Jamaica Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The neighborhood is physically removed from the rest of New York City in ways that no other part of the five boroughs is — the ocean on one side, the bay on the other, and the only real connection to the mainland through a narrow causeway or the subway trestle over Jamaica Bay.
That isolation is the neighborhood’s primary asset. Rockaway feels different because it is different — a beach community that operates on beach-town rhythms, with a surf culture that predates the neighborhood’s recent gentrification, a boardwalk that fills in summer with a mix of longtime residents and visitors, and an ocean that is genuinely the Atlantic rather than the calmer waters of Long Island Sound or the harbor.
The Beach and the Surf
Rockaway Beach stretches from Beach 9th Street to Beach 149th Street along the southern shore of the Rockaway Peninsula. The public beach is managed by the NYC Parks Department and is open for swimming from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The waves along the central beach (Beach 67th to Beach 90th Street) are the most consistent surf breaks in New York City — real Atlantic swells, rideable by intermediate surfers, accessible daily.
The Rockaway Beach Surf Club at Beach 87th Street is the center of the surfing community — board rentals, lessons, and the particular social environment of a functioning surf club. The shop and the culture around it have been here for decades; the recent influx of younger visitors has added new restaurants and coffee shops without displacing the original surf culture.
The Food: Rockaway Taco and Beyond
Rockaway Taco at Beach 96th Street (seasonal, typically May through October) has been one of the most talked-about taco operations in the five boroughs since it opened in 2009. The fish tacos, the carne asada, and the agua frescas are all excellent. The line is worth it; arrive at opening or late afternoon to minimize the wait.
Caracas Arepa Bar Rockaway at Beach 106th Street is the Rockaway outpost of the East Village Venezuelan restaurant, serving arepas with various fillings in a casual outdoor setting. The Rippers at Beach 86th Street is the summer burger shack — simple, good, exactly right for the setting.
Getting There
The A train runs two branches to the Rockaways: Far Rockaway/Mott Avenue and Rockaway Park/Beach 116th Street. The branches split at Howard Beach — check the front of the train for which branch it’s on. From Midtown Manhattan: about 60-70 minutes. The Long Island Rail Road Beach branch runs seasonally (summer weekends) from Penn Station to several Rockaway stops in about 45 minutes. The NYC Ferry operates a seasonal Rockaway route from Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan and from Bay Ridge in Brooklyn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rockaway Beach worth visiting from Manhattan?
Yes — Rockaway Beach is New York City’s only ocean beach accessible by public transit. The A train from Howard Beach or the Rockaway Park branch reaches the beach in about 60-70 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. The beach itself is a genuine Atlantic Ocean beach with good surf, the Rockaway Beach Surf Club, and a summer boardwalk scene that feels completely removed from the city.
How do I get to Rockaway Beach from Manhattan?
Take the A train to either Far Rockaway/Mott Avenue or Rockaway Park/Beach 116th Street (the branch point is at Howard Beach — both branches work). From Penn Station, the Long Island Rail Road has a seasonal Beach branch that reaches Rockaway in about 45 minutes. The NYC Ferry operates a seasonal Rockaway route from the Brooklyn waterfront.
What is the surf scene like at Rockaway Beach?
Rockaway Beach has a genuine surf culture — the only surfing beach in New York City with consistent rideable waves. The Rockaway Beach Surf Club and surrounding shops rent boards and offer lessons. The best surf spots are between Beach 67th and Beach 90th Streets. The surfing community in Rockaway is serious and has been there for decades, predating the neighborhood’s more recent gentrification.
When is the best time to visit Rockaway Beach?
Summer (June through September) for swimming and the full boardwalk experience. The beach officially opens Memorial Day weekend. September is excellent for surfing — the crowds thin but the waves are often better than summer. The boardwalk and Rockaway Taco operate through October. The beach in winter is worth the trip for the solitude and the ocean views.
Also see: our free Queens activities guide
Also see: our 40 free things to do in Manhattan guide
