The barrier island of Jones Beach State Park attracts visitors to its 10km of white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean – and to its 2,397 acres of bays and estuaries on the south shore of Long Island. Located less than 32km from New York City, Jones Beach is easily accessible from the Big Apple. Come to play volleyball, cycle, kayak, sail, fish and swim at the lifeguard-attended beaches. Traveling as a family? Zach’s Bay is best for kids, as the waters are calm.

While Fire Island has a reputation for partying, the car-free island on the southern coast can surprise visitors with its uncrowded protected beaches and deer grazing in grass-covered dunes. Nature lovers will want to spend time at the Sunken Forest, a rare ecological community populated with 300-year-old American holly trees – most of which appear “sunken” behind sand dunes.

Robert Moses State Park is lauded for having one of the best beachfronts in New York, offering visitors a wide range of activities such as swimming, boogie-boarding, surfing, picnicking at the lighthouse and pitch and putt golf. Kudos to the Parks and Recreation Department for ensuring that all beaches along the park’s 8km shoreline are accessible by beach wheelchairs, which are available free of charge.

The low-key oceanside village of Montauk (population: 3,685) at the far eastern end of Long Island in East Hampton is sometimes called The End of the World. Visitors typically come for coastal relaxation, and that’s what you’ll experience at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa. Daily wellness classes on the beach include vinyasa yoga and boot camp pilates. Guests can also swim in Gurney’s indoor seawater pool or relax in the on-shore Finnish rock sauna.

Tapping into the coastal vibe of Montauk is easy when you bed down in one of the on-point beachy rooms at the Surf Lodge: white-washed walls, aqua hues, sun-bleached floors, ocean-facing private balconies, hammocks and surf-inspired artwork. The coastal connection extends to the food served at the Surf Lodge Deck, which features local seafood (lots of crab) fresh off the boats at Montauk Harbor.

The Coastal Research & Education Society of Long Island fosters a better understanding of coastal ecosystems through research and education – and that includes guided walks at Cupsogue Beach (in spring and summer) and West Hampton Beach (in fall and winter) to photograph the wild seals (harbor, gray and harp seals, among others). Participants get to learn about the coastal ecosystems of Long Island and photograph other animals (such as sea turtles) if they encounter them along the way.

Greenport, an unflashy village on the North Fork peninsula, has long cultivated a laid-back vibe. That’s also the feeling at Sound View Resort, a former 1950s motel that’s been revamped into a 55-room waterfront hotel where coastal minimalism meets New England modern. All clean lines and clutter-free, each room has two doors: one leading directly to the outside path network and the other to the private beach. It’s about disconnecting your devices and reconnecting with nature.

The Peconic River in Suffolk County on the eastern end of Long Island contains both freshwater and saltwater (where it morphs into an estuary). The scenic 25km slow-flowing and shallow Peconic is ideal for canoeing and kayaking. Paddlers, led by trained guides from Long Island Canoe Kayak Rentals, can get up close to marine life on this one-hour adventure. Nocturnal types can book the Moonlight Tour, which enables you to see how the river comes to life after dark, equipped with glow lights.

Sometimes, you simply want to spread your beach towel on the – preferably white – sand and take in some natural vitamin sea. This 297 acres barrier beach park offers lifeguard-attended swimming, the aforementioned sunbathing on white-sand beaches and excellent options for saltwater bass fishing. You’ll find everything you need for a lazy day at the beach: a snack bar, washrooms, changing rooms, showers and more.