All About Dog-Friendly Rockaway Beach, New York

Rockaway is a renowned dog friendly beach in NY. This pet-friendly beach lays down a few rules to follow. Visitors and furry friends must always abide by the policies and laws here. The beach allows dogs to enjoy both on (in some areas) and off-leash. A journey towards the beach is an easy one-day trip via bus, shuttle, and ferry.

The beach is a popular hotspot, especially during summer. Visitors visit Rockaway Beach at any time of the year. They find multiple choices to explore around. The nearby town features beautiful parks, outdoor restaurants, rooftop bars, beer gardens, etc. There are many options for dog-friendly lodging and eating nearby. 

Rockaway Beach Dog Rules, NY

• Dogs are allowed on a leash on Rockaway Freeway Beach. The leash can be a maximum of 6 feet.
• At designated off-leash areas and dog runs, pets are allowed to enter freely (without lease) during prescribed hours. 
• Owners must prevent their pets from chasing other birds and animals. 
• Dogs are barred from entering playgrounds, fields, bathing areas, buildings, etc.
• Owners must pick up and throw away their pets’ waste in appropriate bins provided throughout the beach. 

Dog-friendly Rockaway Beach, NY: Know the rules before you go! Discover which sections welcome dogs & leash requirements for a great visit.

Rockaway Beach Dog Licensing

State laws in New York City require owners to license their pets. Dogs that are 6 months old or have permanent teeth must be registered. Proof of rabies vaccination by a certified veterinarian is mandatory for licensing. This vaccination must last for 10 months during the licensing period. It needs to be renewed annually. 

Visitors can register their dogs online via the Health Department website. Alternatively, they obtain a form from a pet shop, veterinarian, or animal shelter. The license tag needs to be attached to the dog’s badge at all times. Registration charges depend on the type of dog (neutered/spayed) & expiry length. 

How to reach Rockaway Beach, NY

• By Air: The nearest airport to Rockaway Beach is Morristown Airport (MMU) (8.9 miles away).
• By Subway: The closest subway station to Rockaway is Beach 60 St (4 min walk). 
• By Bus: Visitors take Q22, which goes to Rockaway Beach Blvd. They also take Q35 or Q53 to reach Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St.
• By LIRR: Visitors take the Rockaway branch from Jamaica or Atlantic Terminal. They reach Rockaway station and take the Q114 bus to reach the beach. 
• By Ferry: Ferry services for Rockaway Freeway Beach are provided by NYC Ferry Service.

About Dog-Friendly Rockaway Beach – New York

Rockaway Beach is a beautiful neighborhood in the borough of Queens. This beach is also called the “Irish Riviera,” as there is a vast population of Irish American people. Visitors call it the “Best Summer Retreat” in New York City. In addition to a breathtaking waterfront, there are many great shops. They sell everything from vintage to modern. 

Visitors even find outdoor bars and affordable food trucks on the beach. Rockaway Beach also offers the best Tacos in New York. Surfing lessons to catch a wave or just chill out are available. There are many stores selling surfing gear and equipment. Station RBNY and Breakwater Surf Co. rent out wetsuits & surfboards. 

• Parking: 1 Cross Bay Pkwy Parking and 108-03 Beach Channel Dr Parking
• Nearby Visiting Places: New York Transit Museum and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
• Dog-Friendly Restaurants: Margie’s and Tap That
• Dog-Friendly Hotels: Pod Brooklyn Hotel and Latisha House
• Dog Boarding: Pawlacio Pets and Wet Noses Pet Sitter
• Things to do: Surfing, bicycling, skating, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc
• Events: Rockaway Beach Surf Music Festival and Rockaway Beach / Breezy Point Irish Festival
• Rental Providers: Vintage Rockaway and 60’s Surfer Camp
• Amenities: Concession stand, mobile charging stations, beach mats, wheelchair accessibility, bathrooms, etc
• Beach Hours: Every day from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm

Rockaway Beach Cams

Beach cams are becoming popular day by day. They are a great way to enjoy the beach while sitting at home. There are multiple webcams at Rockaway Beach, NY. These cameras offer real-time information on water temperature, wave & tidal conditions, local weather, storm coverage, etc.

As the place is most popular among city surfers. Footage from Rockaway Surf Cam & Report is the most viewed. This webcam provides information on popular surfing spots. Additionally, forecasts and other reports are also made available to viewers. People even enjoy views from nearby coastal towns. 

Rockaway Beach Ferry

Reaching Rockaway Beach has now become easy. NYC Ferry serves as a transit link between Lower Manhattan, Sunset Park, and Rockaway. The ferry service helps in connecting New Yorkers with the city’s beaches. This service is available from Pier 11 on Wall Street. Ticket costs start at as low as $8 (approx) for one-way tickets. 

The vessel is comfortable, fast, and large. A team of expert crew & captains operates it. NYC Ferry can accommodate 250 passengers at a time. There is also an open bar onboard. While on the journey, visitors will see the Statue of Liberty, Coney Island Lighthouse, Jamaica Bay, Breezy Point, etc. 

Rockaway Beach Boardwalk

The beautiful Rockaway Beach covers an area of 170 acres. The boardwalk here is a pleasant place to take a long stroll. This 5.5-mile boardwalk was reconstructed after Hurricane Sandy. It’s among the longest in NYC, featuring many cultural & historical installations. 

There are plenty of eating and drinking options on the boardwalk. Visitors enjoy a perfect day with dancing and live music. Local skaters trying different tricks are common sights here. The boardwalk remains closed from 10:00 pm till 06:00 am. 

Rockaway Beach Surfing

Rockaway Beach is NY’s only legal surfing spot. Renowned surf culture and high waves make it popular among visitors. There are several surfer-owned bistros and surf schools & shops nearby. The surfing community at Rockaway is quite active & popular.

Generally, surfing conditions are best from September to April. Today, Rockaway has become NYC’s quintessential surf break. The surf spot is easy to reach via subway or ferry. Visitors indulge in this adventure sport and then enjoy Broadway shows.  

Rockaway Beach Surf Club

Rockaway Beach Surf Club is a popular indoor-outdoor restaurant. It also serves as a bar and venue for hosting events. The club is known for hosting artwork viewings, movie nights, and more. It remains open for the season till October. Signature dishes available here are fish tacos, pina coladas, passion fruit margaritas, etc. 

Rockaway Beach Rules and Regulations

• Littering, smoking, and consuming alcohol are prohibited on Rockaway Freeway Beach.
• Open flames and barbecuing are only allowed in designated areas.
• Surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are only allowed at designated places on Rockaway Beach.
• Camping, erecting tents, and jet skiing are prohibited on the beach.
• Visitors are barred from fishing in swimming areas or from climbing & walking on the jetty.
• Events or demonstrations involving more than 20 people require prior permission.
• Bathing and swimming are only allowed in the presence of a lifeguard. Red-flagged areas must be avoided. 

Conclusion

NYC is among the best places to spend quality time with near & dear ones. There are many pet-friendly parks, playgrounds, & beaches here. Most popular among them is the dog friendly Rockaway Beach. The beach offers plenty of things to do all year round. Visitors enjoy sun tanning, wildlife glimpsing, sightseeing, fishing, swimming and more.