Swimming in Queens
Queens, NY, United States
Best Swim Spots in Queens
Ranked by community ratings. Check real-time conditions before heading out.
Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach runs along the Atlantic from Beach 9th Street in Far Rockaway to Beach 149th Street in Neponsit, and it holds the city's only legal surfing beaches, so swimmers and surfers use separate zones. The A train and the NYC Ferry both reach the peninsula. Swim in front of an open lifeguard stand and check which sections are flagged closed that morning.
Jacob Riis Park
Jacob Riis Park is the National Park Service's ocean beach at the west end of the Rockaway peninsula, backed by a 1930s Art Deco bathhouse and a long boardwalk. Swimming is limited to the bays where lifeguards are posted, and erosion has kept some eastern bays closed in recent seasons. Check the Gateway beach page before you go, since the guarded bays shift during the summer.
Open Water Swimming in Queens
Queens offers 2 open water swimming locations across Ocean environments. Whether you are a beginner looking for a calm, sheltered swim or an experienced open water swimmer seeking a challenge, there are options for every level.
Before heading out to any swim spot in Queens, check current water conditions on SwimPass. Our SwimScore combines real-time weather, marine data, tides, and water quality into a single 0-100 rating so you can make an informed decision in seconds.
Ocean swimmers in Queens should pay attention to tide schedules and swell forecasts. Swimming around slack tide typically offers the calmest conditions. Check our guide to reading water conditions for tips on interpreting local marine forecasts.
New to open water swimming? Start with our safety guide and first swim guide before heading to any new spot.
Swimming Guides
Prepare for your swim in Queens with these guides.
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