Fort Tilden Beach image

Fort Tilden Beach

Bar Public beach Beach volleyball court

Sandy strip backed by graffiti-covered gun batteries & hidden bunkers from a former U.S. army base. People often mention beach,


Address

Center Rd, Queens, NY 11697

Website

npplan.com

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (154 reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours
  • Monday: Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Featured Reviews


Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Sir Bernard Mendes F. 1 year ago on Google • 300 reviews
    Summertime in the City is the accessibility to the nearest getaway spot for pure relaxation and enjoyment. Though, not marked “safe” swimming into the surf, one should take precautionary steps to ensure safety at all levels. There is a drop-off point along the edge of the waterline that immediately creates an undertow—which is what makes the surf powerful enough to pull anyone into the tidal basin and underwater with the outgoing current or cross-current tow. Every year it becomes a haven for people of all ages to frolic on the beach, to play on the sand, sunbathe, and maybe swim. Though it’s timing that makes a difference when the water is its safest to splash around in—especially when the tide is at its very lowest point one can find that there’s a submerged sandbar around 25-30 meters offshore. Many love swimming out and walking around on it (whenever it’s low enough). But at all other times it’s hidden beneath the waters undetected. Insofar as beach goers here have for fishing, it’s always lovely, as long as the weather holds between windshield, the sun, the slow moving clouds, and intermittent rain. Once the weather temperatures cool down with the seasonal change it gets cooler sooner. But year round, there are miles and miles more sandy beaches to explore up and down the length of Long Island than just around Breezy Point. That is if transportation from going from one end of the beaches to the other is never an issue getting there back and forth. But generally it’s always really nice. And relaxing. Truly.
    19 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peace of C. 3 years ago on Google • 20 reviews
    Best beach for a relaxing day of sun bathing. The breeze is soooooo soothing and the sound of those waves....heavenly! A warning that the water is quite choppy and those waves will slap you...the water also has lots of algae pieces. Tide comes in early.
    23 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Samuel S. 1 year ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Hi, I moved recently to nyc and this beach is amazing. You feel like in nature. And less crazy than other beaches in the city. It’s a “clothing optional section” but this is not true. The police is around special during weekend and you can get a ticket for $180. We should organize and make this legal and have a clothing optional beach in the city.
    14 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicholas F. 3 years ago on Google • 147 reviews
    Fort Tilden is a place of beauty. Not too crowded. Clothing optional but no body shaming here. Everyone just having a good time, social distancing in groups and enjoying their choice of fun. Waves are great for body surfing and Jacob Riis is a 15 minute walk for food and restrooms. The perfect antidote to life’s current anxiety. N.B.: the parking lot is currently closed so you’ll have to walk from the Riis parking lot through the entrance with the Ben and Jerry’s
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Walter F. 2 years ago on Google
    Anything goes at this divine little stretch of sand. unofficial nude-optional beach (cover up when the cops come). Keep an eye out for dolphins! Make sure to pack everything you need, because there’s no boardwalk or shops here. On that same note, be careful of rip tides and don’t push your limits if visiting solo: there’s no lifeguard. Also please don’t bring your dogs. I would love to bring my pup, but there are critically endangered birds that live in the park. Even if your dog doesn’t hunt them, it’s likely to destroy their nesting sites.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sudhir B. 6 months ago on Google • 172 reviews
    My favourite New York beach. It actually is so connected to nature that it does not feel like NYC at all. But it is quite easy to get to and a whole lot of fun. Personally, I find the swimming here quite good - it's easy to get to shoulder level water quite fast without dealing with too many waves. And of course, it is so much fun to be able to swim with nothing on.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Victor L. 1 year ago on Google
    Was told my car would be towed without proper ticket, to which I immediately complied. When I asked the officer where to obtain the ticket, he confidently said in a very rude manner they are done for the rest of the year. Here is my problem with that. The officer either LIED, was MISINFORMED, or DIDN'T WANT OUR KIND HERE. Because upon my own research I could easily print out a pass online. I've been a minority my whole life, I'm sure there was part of him wanted my skin out of there. My white friend when he approached the officer, they ended up chatting about birds. These cops are racist The patrol officer needs to be retrained . This kind of projection by police will only lead to more negative interactions with police in the future. Be careful out there my brothers
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Co F. 2 months ago on Google • 163 reviews New
    This place is known for its serene atmosphere and offers a great escape by the Atlantic Ocean. Just be mindful that there are no lifeguards, and the water is almost never calm.

  • 3/5 Contour M. 2 years ago on Google
    I like the beach was very beautiful and clean.it was good environment. I dislike there was no wifi or connection in the beach and the bathroom was disgusting there was no showers or paper toilet.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Denzi Yishey (. 2 years ago on Google
    Too crowded on Sunday and the parking fees is $20. Yikes! Lol
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Darren M. 1 year ago on Google • 11 reviews
    A beautiful beach close enough to everything yet far away from it all. For me, it's a quick hop on the bus and I'm there. A bit of a hike from the bus stop, but it's worth it. Make sure you carry what you need as there are no concessions (but you can walk to Riis if need be). Water can be very choppy and there are no lifeguards, so know your limit. Some beachgoers go clothing-optional, too, so bear that in mind. As you can see in the picture, even on a hot summer day like today right outside of NYC, it's still a very calm beach - just you and nature.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ekaterina “Kate” M. 1 year ago on Google
    It’s very beautiful beach like a wild ❤️
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danny Delgado P. 3 years ago on Google
    Breezy Point next to Fort Tilden, a beach that will take your breath away. Enjoy it the most at dawn
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danila G. 7 months ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Peaceful, quiet and very beautiful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michele A. 1 year ago on Google
    Great !!! Easy and best way to get there by ferry, fantastic place to spend the all day. I go there even during the winter
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Courtney R. 9 months ago on Google
    Walking by Fort Tilden Beach was amazing! There's a fishing part of the beach along with a optional clothing part as well. I wanted to see the big fort from the pictures but I didn't know exactly where it was/ how to get there. I only saw the back of a metal-like box. Still, worth it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cameron W. 2 years ago on Google
    Really interesting place to check out. I mainly went there to go explore the hidden bunkers and the gun batteries, all of which made my drive from PA well worth it. The beach itself looks pretty nice though I haven't swam in it myself. Parking for the beach was $20 but it's free after 5pm so keep that in mind. If you're looking for a nice beach to swim in or some cool WWII era stuff to explore, come here.

  • 5/5 Jonas T. 1 year ago on Google
    Did you know New York actually has a great beach? This is where Williamsburg goes to get naked. A place where the tattoos outnumber the bikini tops 10 to 1. Traffic can be a beatch. Carpool or bring the bikes.

  • 5/5 Blanca A. 1 year ago on Google
    Just nature, dunes, sand, ocean and sun. So relaxing and beautiful. My favorite public beach in NYC.

  • 5/5 Louie L. 2 years ago on Google
    On this renowned beach in our town, we had a vacation last week. And with a nice view we find it very refreshing and the food is also very satisfactory. It's been a great holiday!

  • 5/5 Felix 7 months ago on Google
    Fort Tilden is a great escape from the City. During the summer months it is only a short ferry ride to the Rockaway. A free shuttle bus gets you the rest of the way or take a bicycle with you and go at your own pace. This beach is secluded in comparison to the rest of the Rockaway beaches including Riess Beach.

  • 4/5 L T. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful natural park. No lifeguards, portable toilets, no cars allowed in the high season. Perfect for a quiet day on the sand.

  • 5/5 sulman s. 3 years ago on Google
    Love this place alot. Very comfortable, no crowds. A little windy but worth it all. If you are lucky you could find Whelk Shells like I found one. My lucky shell.


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Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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