Long Island is world-renowned for its beaches but it’s the breathtaking sunsets that often steal the show. Whether strolling the boardwalk at Long Beach, catching the golden hour on Fire Island, or watching the sky light up over Jones Beach, you’re sure to be in awe over Long Island’s endless sunset views.
Long Island sunrises are beautiful too making a surf lesson the perfect way to start your day. If surfing isn’t your sport, choose from paddleboarding on the bay, kayaking through calm inlets, or biking coastal trails. It’s worth noting that Long Island is known for more than its stunning beaches. Nassau, Long Island, and Suffolk counties offer a blend of rolling farmlands, wineries, golf courses, and family-friendly neighborhoods, making it easy to see why over 7 million people call Long Island home.
So, whether you love jogging, strolling, or sitting in gratitude at the end of your day, now is the time to take advantage of the thinner crowds and milder temperatures and hit a Long Island beach in time for sunset.
What Makes Long Island So Unique?
Long Island is an appealing combination of both suburban and rural landscapes, giving it a diversity that is rare and beautiful. It also has two distinct coastlines: The North Shore with its rocky cliffs, mansions, and harbors and the South Shore on the Atlantic Ocean side with wide sandy beaches and barrier islands. If Long Island were its own state, it would rank as the 13th largest in the U.S. stretching 118 miles long and up to 23 miles wide.
Long Island's North Shore is also home of the Gold Coast estates, inspiring F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The Westhampton region area boasts miles of pristine white-sand beaches, family-friendly day trips, and plenty of outdoor activities. This New York peninsula is also world-famous for its beaches, locally grown food, fishing, and so much more. Get the insider tips for the best spots to watch spectacular sunsets on Long Island while soaking up the sea breezes.
Robert Moses State Park—Babylon, NY
One of Long Island's most iconic beaches, Robert Moses State Park, stretches for five miles and offers unobstructed sunset views over the Atlantic. Head to Field 5 for a stroll along the boardwalk to the Fire Island Lighthouse, where you can watch the sky shift from fiery orange to deep purple.
Insider Tip: Bring binoculars as you'll often spot shorebirds and even deer along the dunes at dusk.
Jones Beach State Park—Wantagh, New York
Load up your surfboard, stand-up paddleboard, kayaks, or windsurfing gear and make Jones Beach your destination. Just 15 miles west of Robert Moses, world-renowned Jones Beach State Park is considered to be a top Long Island sunset destination. With its iconic boardwalk, this legendary beach delivers the kind of golden-hour glow that makes every photo Instagram-worthy.
Insider Tip: Grab an ice cream at the concession stand before golden hour then settle in on the sand for the show.
Point Lookout Beach—Lido Beach, New York
Small but charming, Point Lookout Beach sits on the eastern tip of Long Beach Barrier Island. Its size makes it less crowded than some of the larger parks and beaches, and the western-facing shoreline means spectacular sunset views over Reynolds Channel.
Insider Tip: Reynolds Channel is a hidden fishing gem tucked away on Long Island's south shore with a quiet vibe that serious anglers love.
Long Beach—Long Beach, New York
Known for its three-mile-long boardwalk, Long Beach is a go-to for both sunrise jogs and sunset strolls. Facing directly west, the boardwalk becomes the perfect stage for fiery skies sinking into the Atlantic.
Insider Tip: If possible, time your visit to coincide with one of Long Beach's summer concerts and sunsets for unbeatable beachy vibes.
Fire Island—Long Beach, New York
Fire Island, a sunset lover's paradise, is a large center island running parallel to the South Shore of Long Island. It is most easily accessed by ferry, though you can get there via car on one of two bridges. From Ocean Beach to Watch Hill, almost anywhere on the island offers incredible views. If you time your ferry ride just right, you'll be treated to a breathtaking sunset over the Great South Bay as you head back to the mainland.
Insider Tip: Stay for dinner in Ocean Beach, then catch the last ferry for a magical twilight ride home.
Centerport Beach—Centerpoint, New York
Tucked along the North Shore, this small community beach overlooks Northport Bay and the Long Island Sound. It is typically not as crowded as some of Long Island's South Shore beaches, so its calm setting makes for a peaceful sunset experience away from the larger crowds.
Insider Tip: Be sure to visit the Vanderbilt Museum and the Centerport Yacht Club while you're there!
Breezy Point Beach—Queens, New York
Though technically in Queens, Breezy Point stands out as the westernmost tip of the Rockaway Peninsula, making it feel like a hidden getaway. Facing west toward the Manhattan Skyline, this beach offers a unique sunset view you won't find elsewhere on Long Island.
Insider Tip: This area is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, so be sure to check the access rules before heading out.
Cupsogue Beach—Westhampton, New York
Located on Long Island’s South Shore, Cupsogue Beach County Park has a peaceful beach located at the western tip of Westhampton Island providing bay and ocean views. It's quieter than its Hamptons neighbors, making it perfect for reflective sunset watching.
Insider Tip: Go late in the afternoon when the crowds thin, plus it's a lesser-known gem, so you can enjoy the view in near solitude
Chase The Best Sunsets On Long Island With These Tips
With an Empire Pass (currently $80), you can unlock unlimited day-use access to Long Island’s state parks year-round, from sandy beaches to forested trails and everything in between. The pass also comes with select discounts on camping, swimming, and other park activities, perfect for adventure seekers who love to explore often. So, grab your camera, pack your gear, and chase Atlantic Coast sunsets that you’ll want to experience again and again.
Your Long Island Beach Storage Solution
Headed out for surf sessions, summer weekends, or a winter remodel project? StorQuest has several convenient Long Island locations designed to simplify your storage. We're here to help you stash your gear, safeguard your stuff, and keep life's adventures running smoothly. Find your local StorQuest storage solution or reserve your unit at one of our Long Island, New York, locations today!