Summer is back, which means it’s time to hit the beach for some fun in the sun, but which of the many choices on Long Island is worth the trip?
It may come as little surprise that Jones Beach State Park won the title of Best Park on Long Island for the second year in a row in the 2017 Best of Long Island contest. Of course, you can’t go to the beach without the right gear. Here to help with that is Bunger Surf Shop, which won Best Surf Shop on Long Island eight years running.
With about six million visitors in 2016, Jones Beach State Park is consistently in a horse race with Niagara Falls for the title of most-visited in the New York State parks system. And for good reason. In addition to swimming, surfing, sunbathing, playgrounds and picnic areas, this 2,413-acre oasis also has a 59-slip marina, two-mile boardwalk, swimming pool, nature center, bandshell, fishing pier, pitch-and-put golf course, mini-golf, snack bars and a 14,500-seat bayside amphitheater that hosts big-name acts throughout summer. Not to mention the views!
Before heading to the best beach on LI, any beach bum worth his or her weight in saltwater knows you have to go prepared. And there’s no better place to stock up than Bunger Surf, which also has locations in Babylon and an outpost at Gilgo Beach, just east of Jones Beach State Park. There, customers can get not only custom surf boards, but also swimwear, clothing, sandals, wet suits and plenty of other beach gear.
Jones Beach State Park is located on Ocean Parkway between the Wantagh and Meadowbrook state parkways in Wantagh. For more information, visit parks.ny.gov/parks/jonesbeach
Bunger Surf Shop is located at 50 East Main St. in Babylon, with a satellite location at Gilgo Beach. For more information, visit bungersurf.com
