Whether you prefer the dramatic cliffs and rocky shores of the Sound, the ocean's rough waves, or the calm of local bays and lakes, there's a beach for every taste along Long Island's miles of coastline. So grab some towels, pack up the kids' sand toys and discover a different beach each week. We bet you'll have a new local favorite by the end of the summer!

North Shore Beaches

City of Glen Cove Beaches

Crescent Beach, Morgan Memorial Park Beach and Pryibil Beach, Glen Cove

516-676-3766; www.glencove-li.com

Attractions: Overlooks Long Island Sound. Morgan Memorial Park Beach offers a picnic area, food concession and hiking trails.

Hours: 10am-6pm daily.

Cost: FREE; Glen Cove residents only. Morgan Memorial Park Beach: Glen Cove and Locust Valley residents only.

North Hempstead Beach Park

Port Washington

516-869-6311; www.northhempsteadny.gov or www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks

Attractions: Long Island Sound beach. Basketball and bocce courts, shuffleboard, picnic areas, playgrounds. Food stand. Sunday concerts at 1pm.

Hours: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9am-dusk.

Cost: Nassau County residents $40 for the season; daily parking $15. Non-residents $20 daily.

The Town of Oyster Bay (North Shore) Beaches

Centre Island Beach, Bayville: 516-624-6124.

Charles E. Ransom Beach, Bayville: 516-624-6160

www.oysterbaytown.com

Attractions: Centre Island overlooks Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound and offers a food stand; Charles E. Ransom Beach also overlooks the Sound and offers outdoor showers.

Hours: 8:30-6pm.

Price: $50 seasonal sticker for Oyster Bay residents, $10 daily for non-residents.

South Shore Beaches

Village of Atlantic Beach

516-371-4600; www.vofab.org

Attractions: Ocean beach community featuring a boardwalk and beach clubs overlooking the ocean.

Hours: Lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm.

Cost: FREE to Atlantic Beach residents only and their guests.

Town of Hempstead Beaches

Hewlett Point Park, Bay Park; 516-599-4064

Lido Beach Town Park; 516-431-6650

Lido West Town Park; 516-432-0940

Town Park at Point Lookout; 516-431-3900

Town Park at Sands, Lido Beach; 516-6910

www.toh.li

Attractions: Hewlett Point Park overlooks Hewlett Bay; the rest are ocean beaches. Many offer sports facilities including basketball, tennis and volleyball courts; picnic areas.

Hours: 10am-6pm at Hewlett Point Park; 7am-5pm for ocean beaches; lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm.

Cost: Hewlett Point Park is free, but only open to Town Of Hempstead residents. All other beaches: $7.50 daily parking fee for residents; $22 non-residents.

Jones Beach State Park

Wantagh

516-785-1600; www.jonesbeach.com or www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks

Attractions: Ocean beach, showers, recreation programs, pool, playground, picnic tables, performing arts theater, museum/visitor center, marina, golf, gift shop, food, and fishing. No pets allowed.

Hours: Open year round. Zach's Bay swimming area open daily for the season through August 16.The East Bathhouse swimming pool is closed for 2010. Call regarding the West End Ocean swimming beach.

Cost: Parking: $10 per car.

The City of Long Beach

516-431-1000; www.longbeachny.org

Attractions: 2.5 mile boardwalk and beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Playground on Magnolia Blvd. in front of boardwalk. Several beach concerts and events are held during the summer.

Hours: Lifeguards from 9am-6pm. See website for schedule of events.

Cost: Beach admission $12 per person over age 13. Seasonal passes available; residents receive discount with proof of address.

Nickerson Park Beach, Lido Beach

Between Long Beach and Point Lookout

516-571-7701; www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks

Attractions: Ocean beach.  Family "Fun Zone" with a skate park, basketball courts, two tennis courts, new nautical-themed playground and another playground with climbing apparatus and puzzles. Also offers baseball field, beach volleyball courts, dog run, camp grounds, cabana areas, beach showers, food, two picnic areas with benches and grills, and parking areas. There are two pools at either end of the park, along with small "kiddie" pools (fee required).

Hours: Open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. The pools are open through Labor Day, Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday and holidays 11am-7pm.

Cost: $8 for Leisure Pass holders; non-leisure pass holders: $30 per car.

The Town of Oyster Bay (South Shore Beach)

Tobay Beach, Massapequa

516-679-3900; www.oysterbaytown.com

Attractions: Beaches on the Great South Bay or the ocean, surfboarding areas, spray park playground, pavilions, refreshment stands including Singleton's Seafood Shack.

Hours: 8am-4pm. Ocean beach is open on weekends only for Oyster Bay residents.

Cost: Open to Oyster Bay residents only on weekends with a permit; non-residents can visit on weekdays for $30.

North Shore Beaches

The Town of Brookhaven (North Shore) Beaches

Cedar Beach, Mount Sinai

Shoreham Beach, Shoreham

Stony Brook Beach, Stony Brook

West Meadow Beach, Stony Brook

631-451-TOWN; www.brookhaven.org

Attractions: Overlooks the Long Island Sound; Cedar Beach also offers a fishing pier, nature center, walking trails, and snack bar. West Meadow Beach offers nature crafts and a variety of family programs.

Hours: 10am-6pm daily. 

Price: FREE for Town of Brookhaven residents; $20 daily parking fee for non-residents.

Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park

Kings Park

631-269-4333; www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks

Attractions: Beach, biking, bridle path, fishing, food, golf, hiking, nature trail, picnic tables, playground, playing field, recreation programs, and showers. Dogs allowed only in undeveloped areas of the park with a leash.

Hours: Open year round, sunrise to sunset.

Cost: Parking: $10 per car, weekdays 8am-4pm and Saturdays and Sundays 7am-6pm.

The Town of Huntington Beaches

631-261-7574; http://town.huntington.ny.us/departments.cfm

Asharoken and Crabmeadow Beach, Northport

Centerport and Fleets Cove Beach, Centerport

Crescent Beach and Gold Star Battalion Beach, Huntington

Hobart Beach, Eaton's Neck

West Neck Beach, Lloyd Harbor

Attractions: Overlooks The Long Island Sound. Many offer playgrounds. Crab Meadow Beach and Centerport Beach have picnic areas and Crab Meadow Beach also offers a boardwalk.

Hours: 8:30am-8pm daily.

Cost: Town of Huntington Residents $25 for the season or $15 daily; non-residents $25 daily.

The Town of Riverhead Beaches

Iron Pier Beach, Jamesport

Reeves Park Beach, Riverhead

South Jamesport Beach, South Jamesport

Wading River Beach, Wading River

631-727-5744; www.riverheadli.com

Attractions: All overlook The Long Island Sound, except for South Jamesport, which overlooks the Peconic Bay. Basketball/tennis courts at South Jamesport; playground at each beach except for Reeves; fishing pier at Iron Pier. Concession stands at Iron Pier and South Jamesport.

Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day, 10am-5pm.

Cost: $15 yearly permit for Town of Riverhead residents under age 60; $5 age 60 and over. Non-residents $200 yearly or $35 daily.

The Town of Shelter Island Beaches

Crescent Beach, Shell Beach, Menhaden Lane Beach, Wades Beach

631-749-0291; www.shelterislandtown.us

Attractions: Beaches overlooking Shelter Island Sound.

Hours: Generally 9am-5pm; some are open 24 hours.

Cost: Residents FREE, those renting a house or staying in a hotel must purchase a permit. $35 a week, $200 season. 

The Town of Smithtown Beaches

Callahans Beach, Fort Salonga

Long Beach, Nissequogue

Schubert's Beach, Nissequogue

Short Beach, Nissequogue

631-269-1122; www.smithtowninfo.com/parksdepartment

Attractions: All beaches overlook the Long Island Sound.

Hours: Lifeguards on duty from 9am-5pm.

Prices: FREE for Town of Smithtown residents only.

The Town of Southold Beaches

New Suffolk Beach, New Suffolk

Norman Klipp Park, Greenport

Southold Town Beach, Southold

631-765-1800; http://southoldtown.northfork.net

Attractions: New Suffolk overlooks the Peconic Bay, Norman Klipp Park faces the Peconic Bay/Shelter Island Sound and Southold Town Beach overlooks The Long Island Sound. All offer playgrounds, boat ramps.

Hours: Open dawn-dusk; lifeguards on duty from 10am-5pm.

Prices: Town of Southold residents $6 for the year; $150 for non-residents or $25 daily.

Orient Beach State Park

Orient

631-323-2440; www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks

Attractions: Beach overlooking The Long Island Sound, biking, fishing, food, hiking, nature trail, pavilions, picnic tables, playground, playing field, recreation programs, and showers. No pets allowed.

Hours: Open year round, sunrise to sunset. Swimming season late June through early September.

Cost: FREE beach admission; $10 per car through Labor Day.

Wildwood State Park

Wading River

631-929-4314; www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks  

Attractions: Beach overlooking The Long Island Sound, biking, camper recreation, campsites, fishing, food, hiking, nature trail, picnic tables, playground, recreation programs, showers. No pets allowed.

Hours: Open year round, sunrise to sunset. Camping season ends Columbus Day. Call for reservations.

Cost: $8 per car.

South Shore Beaches

Camp Hero State Park

Montauk

631-668-3781; www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks

Attractions: Ocean beach, biking, bridle path, fishing, hiking. Dogs allowed on a leash.

Hours: Open year round, sunrise to sunset. Open 24 hours a day to fishermen with permits.

Cost: FREE. Parking: $8 per car.

Town of Babylon Beaches

Cedar Beach, Babylon

Gilgo Beach, Babylon

Overlook Beach, Babylon

Tanner Park, Copiague

Venetian Shores, Lindenhurst

631-893-2100; www.townofbabylon.com

Attractions: All ocean beaches, except for Tanner Park and Venetian Shores, which overlook The Great South Bay. Most feature picnic areas and playgrounds, and some offer fishing piers. In addition, Cedar Beach offers the Cedar Beach Marina and trailer camp sites, Tanner Park offers tennis courts, and Venetian Shores offers ball fields and a spray ground for kids. The Gilgo Beach Inn also offers food and live music.

Hours: Open seven days a week, 8am-6pm.

Cost: Town Of Babylon permit is $35 for the season. Non-resident fees: Cedar Beach, Tanner Park and Venetian Shores: $15 weekdays; $25 weekends. Gilgo Beach: $30 weekdays; $40 weekends. Overlook Beach is for Town of Babylon residents only with permit.

Town of Brookhaven (South Shore) Beaches

Corey Beach, Blue Point

Davis Park, Fire Island (across from Patchogue)

Great Gun, Fire Island (across from Center Moriches)

Sandspit Beach, Patchogue

Shirley Beach, Shirley

631-451-TOWN; www.brookhaven.org

Attractions: Fire Island beaches overlook the ocean; the rest overlook The Great South Bay. Corey Beach, Davis Park and Great Gun offer playgrounds. Great Gun also offers a marina and picnic areas.

Hours: 10am-5pm, 10:30am-5:30pm for Davis Park.

Cost: FREE for Town of Brookhaven residents; $20 daily for non-residents.

Cupsogue Beach County Park

Westhampton

631-852-8111; www.suffolkcountyny.gov

Attractions: Overlooks the ocean, fishing area, food concession, camping, scuba diving, Beach Hut serves food. Live music offered in the summer.

Hours: Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 8:30am-8pm.

Cost: FREE. Suffolk Residents pay $5 with Green Key cards or $10 for non-Suffolk residents.

East Hampton Village Beaches

Egypt Beach, Georgica Beach, Main Beach, Two Mile Hollow Beach, Wiborg Beach

631-324-4150. www.easthamptonvillage.org/beaches

Attractions: Ocean beaches. Main Beach also offers a snack bar. Main Beach was named the #5 beach in America's Top 10 Beaches List by Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research.

Hours: Lifeguards on duty at Georgica, Main and Two Mile Hollow beaches, 10am-5pm.

Cost: Village parking permits are sold out for the 2010 season. $20 per day weekdays only at Main Beach and Two Mile Hollow Beach,otherwise must be East Hampton Village resident.

Town of East Hampton

631-324- 2417; www.town.east-hampton.ny.us

Atlantic Avenue Beach, Big Albert's Landing Beach, Indian Wells Beach, Amagansett

Ditch Plain Beach, East Lake Beach, Esssex Beach, Kirk Park Beach, South Lake Beach, Montauk

Maidstone Park, East Hampton

Attractions: All ocean beaches, except East Lake, which is on Block Island Sound and Maidstone Beach on Gardiners Bay. Many offer food stands.

Hours: Lifeguards are on duty from 9am-6pm.

Cost: $15 Monday-Friday only daily parking offered at Atlantic Avenue Beach. Daily parking also offered for $10 at Kirk Park in Montauk. All other beaches require a permit; free for Town of East Hampton residents and $375 a year for non-residents.

Heckscher State Park

East Islip/Great River

631-581-2100; www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks

Attractions: Beach on the Great South Bay, biking, boat launch sites, camper recreation, campsites, fishing, food, hiking, nature trail, pavilions, picnic tables, playground, playing field, pool (fee), recreation programs, showers, and tent/trailer sites. Dogs only allowed in undeveloped areas, on a leash not more than six feet.

Hours: Open year round, daily 7am-sunset. Swimming pool open July 4-August 17, 8am-4pm.

Cost: Parking: $8 per car.

Hither Hills State Park

Montauk

631-668-2554; www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks

Attractions: Ocean beach,, biking, bridle path, camper recreation, campsites, dumping station, fishing, food, hiking, hunting, nature trail, picnic tables, playground, playing field, recreation programs, showers, and tent/trailer sites. Dogs only allowed in certain areas, on a leash not more than six feet.

Hours: Open year round, sunrise to sunset. Beach open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Cost: Parking: $10 per car.

Town of Islip Beaches

631-224-5403. www.townofislip-ny.gov

Atlantique Beach and Marina, Fire Island: 631-583-8610

Benjamin Beach, Bay Shore: 631-224-5778

Islip Beach, Islip: 631-224-5413

Ronkonkoma Beach, Lake Ronkonkoma: 631-451-6100

Attractions: All are on the Great South Bay, except for Benjamin Beach, which is on the ocean, and Ronkonkoma Beach, on Lake Ronkonkoma. All feature playgrounds, basketball, volleyball courts, food stands.

Hours: 10am-6pm daily.

Cost: Town of Islip resident with Recreation Card is FREE; otherwise $5 daily.

Meschutt Beach County Park

Hampton Bays

631-852-8205; www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/parks

Attractions: Still-water bathing beach on Great Peconic Bay, campgrounds, picnic areas, windsurfing & sailing areas, playground, The Meschutt Beach Hut Raw Bar & Grill.

Hours: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Cost: FREE beach admission, parking: $8 per car.

Robert Moses State Park

Parking Field 5, western end of Fire Island

631-669-0470; www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks

Attractions: Five miles of ocean beach, fishing, food, golf, marina, picnic tables, playground, recreation programs, and showers. No pets allowed.

Hours: Open year round, sunrise to sunset. Lifeguards on duty from 10am-6pm weekdays; 9am-7pm weekends.

Cost: Parking: $10 per car,

Sailors Haven Beach

Fire Island; take Ferry from Sayville

631-597-6183. www.nps.gov/fiis/index.htm

Attractions: The Sunken Forest (a maritime environment with guided tours and a hiking trail), large ocean beach for swimming, picnic areas, boardwalk with trails for bird watching, nature exhibits, and a snack bar. The Sailors Haven Visitor Center offers children's programs in which kids discover marine life and participate in nature crafts.

Hours: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Call for daily hours.

Cost: FREE beach admission. Call the Sayville Ferry at 631-589-8980 or visit www.savyvilleferry.com for prices.

Shadmoor State Park

Montauk

631-668-3781; www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks

Attractions: Ocean Beach, biking, fishing, hiking. Dogs allowed only on a leash.

Hours: Open year round.

Cost: FREE.

Smith Point County Park

Shirley, on Fire Island

631-852-1313; www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/parks

Attractions: The county's largest oceanfront park offers swimming, camping, surfing, scuba diving, salt-water fishing, outer beach access, snack bar, playgrounds.

Hours: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming when lifeguards are on duty.

Cost: Parking fee: $10 per car.

Town of Southampton Beaches

Coopers Beach, Southampton (voted #1 in America's Top 10 Beaches List by Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research)

Flying Point Beach, Water Mill

Foster Memorial Beach, Sag Harbor

Mecox Beach, Bridgehampton

Pikes Beach, Westhampton

Ponquogue Beach, Hampton Bays

Sagg Main Beach, Sagaponack

Tiana Beach, Hampton Bays.

W. Scott Cameron Beach, Bridgehampton

631-728-8585. www.southamptontownny.gov

Attractions: All are ocean beaches, except for Foster Memorial Beach, which overlooks the Peconic Bay. Many offer picnic tables, volleyball courts, food concessions.

Hours: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming when lifeguards are on duty.

Cost: Residents seasonal parking permit $30; non-resident $225; $20 non-resident daily fee.

Watch Hill

Fire Island; take ferry from Patchogue

631-597-3109; www.watchhillfi.com or www.nps.gov/fiis/index.htm

Attractions: Ocean beaches for swimming and surfing, campgrounds, hiking trails, bird watching, a marina, and The Pier Restaurant and Snack Bar. The Watch Hill Visitor Center offers children's programs in which kids can walk along the nature trail, go canoeing, participate in nature crafts and explore marine life.

Hours: Open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. Swimming only permitted when lifeguards are on duty.

Cost: FREE. Call the Davis Park Ferry Terminal, 631-475-1665, for ferry schedule and prices from Patchogue to Watch Hill.