Rockaways
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Seaside area of New York.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles33 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
14
Average
2
Poor
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Terrible
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3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Solo
I drove across a good portion of the peninsula on August 1st. The afternoon into early evening was at Riis Park. It was very crowded. Just driving west through Belle Harbor, there were plenty of cyclists heading back from the beach. I drove west and crossed the Cross Bay Bridge. Very crowded area on a Saturday during the summer.
Written October 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul S
New York City, NY553 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
TIP: Clear weather can be key to having a beautiful experience.
With social distancing rules and staying indoors so much in 2020 it was a real treat to have an instant "Vacation" day with this scenic ferry ride.
We left from pier 11 at the East River. --just below the Wall Street intersection.
The fare is so affordable at $2.75 per adult.
The waterway was beautiful ....seeing the tip of Manhattan, passing Governor's Island, seeing the NY skyline the Statue of Liberty off to our side, passing various parts of Brooklyn, going under the Verrazzano- Narrow's Bridge, passing by the amusements at Coney Island. Then one later we pulled n to the dock at Rockaway. Straight ahead from the Ferry Terminal was the beautiful beach (restrooms are along the walkway there). If we had chosen to walk too our right of the Ferry dock there would be some shops to see in a commercial section. Apparently there are also little jitney-shuttles that can take you to other parts of the beach or town. We simply headed for the beach itself. Fist we sat on the benches just enjoying the sea views. Next we moved down to the beach itself to watch some of our friends swim.
It was a beautiful day and it really felt like a vacation (so close to Manhattan but it felt so far).
Written October 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marion S
New York City, NY91 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Couples
It's a known fact that lots of tourists take the Staten Island ferry to get a good look (for free) at the Statue of Liberty. Now for $2.75 you can get a ferry to New York's iconic "surfer" beach. The ride is beautiful and takes you under the Verrazzano Bridge (the longest suspension bridge in the Americas). You also get a stunning view with ample time to take photos of Coney Island. You also pass parts of the Gateway National Park in Jamaica Bay. When you arrive at your destination, your just a couple of blocks to the beach. It's fun and easy. Even if you don't have time to spend the day frolicking in the ocean, it's worth it just to take the trip and get your feet wet.
Written July 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

citycousin
New York City, NY40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014 • Friends
This isn't a review about the Rockaways only the way to get there. In style and relaxed. I took the Seastreak Ferry from East 34th street Ferry to the Rockaways with some older relatives.

The trip is a photo op from the beginning. The Ferry terminal at 34th street and East River has great views of the UN and the Empire state Building. It's a bit loud from time to time as it's also near the Helicopter Landing site a few blocks away but the view of landing and arising helicopters is impressive.

Make sure you read the instructions for each ferry line. I got tickets for the wrong line and as each line has a different policy (some tickets you can ride on board and others are buy prior to boarding) it gets confusing.

The trip passes under three major bridges - the Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges with major photo ops, and of course passes the Manhattan skyline south of 34th street from the water which is also extremely impressive.

The ferry stops at Wall St. Ferry Terminal which is a near South st. Seaport (about 6 blocks away) and might be a nice way to head south without taking a subway or cab if you're going to downtown east. The ferry is only $3.50 one way but happens to be free from 34th to Wall Street. I took the "Seastreak" line. You pay on board but if you're going to wall street it's free, and then we paid on a new boat used when we transferred at Wall St. Ferry terminal.

The boat continues onto the Brooklyn Army terminal and then under the Verrazano Bridge to the Rockaway Ferry Terminal in the eastern part of the Rockaway peninsula. You pass Coney Island and the Brooklyn beach and Jamaica Bay into the Rockaway terminus.

Overall it's a great relaxing ride, that is not crazy crowded and you get to see both the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn seaside (including Coney Island) from a water perspective.

The ride should only get better with warmer weather. It's cheap, (fun) and has tons of photo op material all along the way.
Written May 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andrea W
54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2017
My roommate is from Hawaii so he comes here to surf all summer/fall. He tracks waves and stuff, so when he found a day that was small waves, he invited me and a few other first timers along.

The waves are perfect! Not too big, and not too small.

If you typically frequent more busy beaches (Coney Island) and are looking for a quieter beach, this one is lovely.

We drove there, but you could easily take the subway or ferry. Surf shop is the street right after the subway on the way to the beach. There are bathrooms and places to change right on the beach.
Written November 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robena02
Rockaway Park, NY2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2016 • Solo
You can take the ferry from Manhattan and Brooklyn and spend a great day at the beach. The Rockaways are a safe place to spend time in the sun. It's a million dollar view of Manhattan skyline and you travel under two bridges when you take the ferry. Can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to come to walk along the shore.
Written October 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Erin031
Ballymena, UK106 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2017 • Friends
We took the NYC ferry from pier 11 to Rockaway for a relaxing day out of the city. Beautiful views of the city on the 55 minute crossing for $2.75. On arrival short walk to the beach. Stopped at a shop to get refreshments. Beach clean and quiet. Atlantic Ocean chilly in September but enjoyed the dip. Returned in the evening- ferry departs every hour. On arrival at pier 11 we discovered another ferry which brought us up to 34th st, it went under Brooklyn bridge and again brilliant views of the NY skyline- saved us getting the subway as we were staying on 32nd st!!! Would really recommend this trip ! Cheap day out in the city!
Written September 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yogastronoma
Houston, TX27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Friends
The Atlantic Ocean $2.75 away is bliss. The brand new ferry from Pier 11 takes less than one hour and upon arrival al the ferry landing, you can take the FREE air conditioned shuttle bus to the beach.

We took the WEST shuttle and decided to get off at Fort Tilden. This was a quiet and clean beach where some women were topless. You need to bring food, water and shade since there are no services here.

For families or people looking for more services and larger crowds, get off at Riis Park beach. There it's more lively and happening if that's what you're after. There's also life guards services there.
Written July 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NYCSoul
New York City, NY6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2012 • Friends
this beach has gone from super ugly to beautiful and clean in over 10years. the beach is now super clean, great mix of people and food you would come back for. I had fresh raw oysters and rose petal soda from the food stand. Definitely worth the visit. There was a live band when i visited (saturday) you can also rent bikes 10$ hr. I will admit the waves are super strong, i would not visit the beach with kids.
Written July 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kitty272727
303 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Friends
Take the ferry from Pier 11 Wall Street. During the 55 minutes you will have a clear view of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, Coney Island, and Red Hook. At B108 Street walk to the boardwalk and beach (5 minutes). You can stay here for swimming and sun or walk towards B105 for concessions, bathhouses, and a pavilion, or go farther towards the B90s for surfing.The pavilions at B105 and B96 have arepas and salteñas and lots of drinks. Or go inland a block for a nice array of sit-down restaurants.
You can go back on the ferry, or take the A train at B116, B105, or B98 (about 75 minutes to Times Square). Do not consider driving here in season.
We live here part-time and really like it in all seasons. A winter walk on the uncrowded boardwalk to see the sky and the waves is unparalleled. Summer is great too.
Written December 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Rockaways - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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