Beaches are open along the Rockaway Peninsula from Beach 9th Street in Far Rockaway to Beach 149th Street in Neponsit. There are some closures in effect for the 2022 season; visit the NYC Parks Department website for details. Lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
You can get to Rockaway Beach a few different ways, including the train, bus, and Long Island Rail Road. Plus, extended Rockaway Park Shuttle service is back with more cars for beach season!
Getting to Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk
By subway: Take a Far Rockaway-bound train or Rockaway Park-bound . Beginning May 28, the Rockaway Park will be extended to the Rockaway Blvd station from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during summer weekends. This service will also run on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
By bus: Take the Q22 toward Rockaway Beach Blvd, the Q35 or Q53 SBS toward Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St, or the Q52 SBS toward Arverne.
By LIRR: Take the Far Rockaway branch from Atlantic Terminal or Jamaica to the Far Rockaway station. It's a short walk to connect to a bus that will get you closer to the beach.
By ferry: Take the NYC Ferry's Rockaway route to the beach.
Tips for getting to the beach
- Allow plenty of time. We do critical repair work on weekends and you may need to transfer or take a different line to finish your trip. Learn more about planned service changes.
- Skip the MetroCard vending machine and pay your fare with OMNY. Use your contactless fare payment device, like your smartphone or credit or debit card, to pay your fare. Learn more on the OMNY page.
- Buy your LIRR ticket before you board. You can buy tickets at a ticket office or at a vending machine, or use the MTA's TrainTime app.
- Keep seats and aisles clear. Try to keep your beach gear out of walkways and doorways, too.
Option 1: Take the A train and the Rockaway Park Shuttle
1. Take a Queens-bound train to Broad Channel or (on weekends) Rockaway Blvd.
Train signs and announcements will tell you where the train is headed. You can also ask the conductor, who sits in the middle of the train.
The is extended to Rockaway Blvd on summer weekends between May 28 and Labor Day.
2. Transfer to the Rockaway Park Shuttle at Broad Channel or Rockaway Blvd.
Exit at any of the stations along the Rockaway Park Shuttle and walk a short distance to Rockaway Beach. The Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St station is accessible.
Fare information for this trip can be found here.
Option 2: Take an MTA bus
1. Four MTA buses make stops near Rockaway Beach: the Q22, Q35, and the Q52 or Q53 SBS.
The beach is a short walk from most bus stops along the Rockaway Peninsula. Fare information for this trip can be found here.
2. Take the Q22 toward Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Exit at any of the stops between Beach Channel Dr-Beach 36 St and Rockaway Beach Blvd-Beach 145 St.
3. Take the Q35 or Q53 SBS toward Rockaway Park.
On the Q35, exit at any of the stops between Newport Ave-Beach 145 St and Newport Ave-Beach 116 St. On the Q53 SBS, exit at any of the stops between Rockaway Beach Blvd-Beach 96 St and Beach 116 St-Rockaway Beach Blvd.
4. Take the Q52 SBS toward Arverne.
Exit at any of the stops between Rockaway Beach Blvd-Beach 92 St and Beach 54 St-Beach Channel Dr.
Option 3: Take the Long Island Rail Road to Far Rockaway
Fare information: Fares start at $6.25 for seniors, and $9.25 for adults, depending on peak hours and stations. Find more fare information here.
This is an accessible trip.
1. Take a Far Rockaway-bound LIRR train.
You can catch a train to Far Rockaway from any of the stations on the Far Rockaway branch, including Penn Station and Jamaica.
2. Catch an MTA bus from Far Rockaway station to the beach.
Take the Q22 bus from Far Rockaway station and exit at any of the stops between Beach Channel Dr-Beach 36 St and Rockaway Beach Blvd-Beach 145 St.
Option 4: Take the NYC Ferry
1. Take a Rockaway-bound ferry from Wall St/Pier 11 or Sunset Park/Brooklyn Army Terminal.
If you take the ferry from a different stop, you must transfer to a Rockaway-bound ferry at Pier 11 or Sunset Park.
2. Exit the ferry at Rockaway.
The ferry stop is at Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive. From there, it's a short walk to Rockaway Beach.
For fare information and schedules, visit the NYC Ferry page.