You Can Surf in New York City?
It’s a question I’ve been asked more times than I’ve been snaked in my NYC surfing tenure. Although in recent years, the frequency with which I’m asked this question—both in the city and in lineups from Biarritz to Tofino to the Maldives—is starting to taper off. Maybe it’s the pervasiveness of NYC surf brands, a brighter spotlight on local organizations and talent, or that surf fever Brian Wilson and the boys crooned about is truly catching on. So once more, yes, you can surf in New York City (and fly fish, and rock climb, too). Below is all you need to know about it.
First off, a note about writing a surf guide. For decades, gatekeeping was the norm in surf culture. If you don’t surf, don’t start. If you’re not from here (here, usually meaning right next to the break) you’re not welcome. Pair that with the surf industry’s historically dismal record of representation of any experience that isn’t cis, white, hetero, and baked to a blinding shade of blonde by the SoCal sun: you’ve got a recipe for uniformity and discrimination of every flavor. We’re here to join the growing chorus of voices across surfing in politely exclaiming, ‘fuck that.
Learning a subculture’s norms and respecting history is important in understanding and experiencing any new pursuit—those unwritten rules that demand learning by doing. Surfing is one where you’ve got to earn the glory for yourself outside of a lesson. However, creating a welcoming environment where it’s fair game for all to paddle the peak is the way the tides are moving. We’re stoked to share the stoke.
This guide dives deep into NYC surfing, including what you need, where to go, when to go, who to link up with (organizations and shops), where to grab that precious post-session bite, and more. Let’s get it.

JFK airport is just a couple miles away
Rockaway, Queens: The Closest Surf Beach to the City
The Rockaways, located at the southern edge of Queens, New York's most diverse of the five boroughs, is the go-to spot for any New York surfer and a damn good beach hang when the waves are flat. Accessible by the A Train, the Rockaway Peninsula stretches 11 miles long but is just three-quarters of a mile wide. The beach is the main draw for most visitors, but there’s much more to explore within the surrounding nine neighborhoods, including expansive parks, nature reserves, restaurants, and bars worth the trip alone.
For a deep dive into living life at Far Rock, check out “Rockaway: Surfing Headlong into a New Life” by local writer and ripper Diane Cardwell, founder of Vibe magazine and former reporter and editor for The New York Times. While a beachside bungalow is the dream, most of us will have to settle for day trips.