Official Opening of NYC Public Beaches

New York City’s public beaches are set to reopen for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23, according to NYC Parks. The city says its beaches are free and open to the public, with swimming allowed only when lifeguards are on duty. The seasonal opening comes ahead of Memorial Day weekend and was listed by Time Out New York as one of the city’s highlights for May 18-24. NYC Parks says the season will run through September 13, 2026. ### Which beaches are reopening this weekend? NYC Parks says the city maintains 14 miles of public beaches across the five boroughs. Those include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Coney Island Beach, Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Cedar Grove Beach, Midland Beach and South Beach on Staten Island; and the Rockaway beaches in Queens. All are part of the city’s seasonal beach program, according to the agency’s beaches pages. (nycgovparks.org) Time Out New York’s weekly roundup referred to the “official opening of NYC beaches” as one of the week’s featured events. The listing placed the reopening alongside other city events scheduled for May 18-24, giving beach season a place in the week’s broader calendar of public activities. ### When can people swim, and what are the rules? (nycgovparks.org) NYC Parks says lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during beach season. The agency says swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections, which are marked with signs or red flags. The city also says all public beaches are free to enter. (timeout.com) NYC311 says beach status information includes whether a beach is open or closed, water-quality conditions and whether a swimming or wading advisory is in effect. The 311 guidance also says alcohol is not allowed on public beaches. ### How does the city decide whether a beach is open or under advisory? The New York City Health Department says it monitors and inspects beaches, water quality and beach facilities. (nycgovparks.org) The department says it collects water samples and tracks rain, contaminants and other environmental conditions, then assigns each beach one of three classifications: open, advisory or closed. If a beach is under advisory or closed, the department says signage is posted at the site. (portal.311.nyc.gov) The Health Department’s beach page and the city’s 311 system both direct residents to check current conditions before heading out. That means a beach can be in season but still face temporary restrictions tied to water quality or safety conditions. ### What about lifeguards and summer staffing? NYC Parks said in a February press release that it was recruiting lifeguards for summer 2026 and holding qualifying tests through late February at indoor pools, recreation centers and Department of Education sites. (nyc.gov) The agency said lifeguards play a “critical role” in keeping beaches and pools operating during the summer season. NYC311 says prospective lifeguards must pass a qualifying test that includes a swim and vision exam. The reopening date means those staff will be back in place at city beaches beginning Saturday, when supervised swimming resumes for the season. The city’s beach pages say that schedule continues daily through September 13, 2026. ### Where should beachgoers check before they leave home? NYC Health directs beachgoers to its beach status system for current water-quality and closure information. (nycgovparks.org) NYC311 also provides status updates for public and private beaches, including the Coney Island and Brighton Beach designation used by the city. Saturday, May 23, is the next key date in the city’s summer calendar, when public beaches officially reopen for swimming. (nycgovparks.org) NYC Parks says the season then runs through September 13, 2026, with lifeguards scheduled daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (nyc.gov)