Heckscher Beaches & Swimming

Heckscher State Park has two swimming beaches on the Great South Bay, West Beach at Parking Field 6 and Overlook Beach at Parking Field 8. In 2026 West Beach was open with lifeguards from June 27 to September 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, and Overlook Beach from June 27 to August 9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays only. The water is calm bay water with Fire Island on the horizon, not ocean surf. The park's swimming pool is closed.

The Two Beaches

NYS Parks lists bay swimming among Heckscher's main draws, and its maps show two guarded beaches on the south shore of the park.

West Beach (Field 6)

West Beach is the larger, busier beach, at the south-west corner of the park beside Parking Field 6. The state's site map puts a concession stand, a playground, a softball field and restrooms right by the lot, with a picnic area just to the north. It is the beach with the longest season: in 2026 it opened daily from June 27 to September 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Overlook Beach (Field 8)

Overlook Beach sits at the east end of the bay shore, beside Parking Field 8, close to where the park turns north along Nicoll's Bay. It is smaller and opens for fewer days: in 2026, weekends and holidays only from June 27 to August 9, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Restrooms stand at the field. If West Beach is packed on a summer Saturday, Overlook is the other choice.

Swim Only When and Where Lifeguards Are On Duty

State park rules ban swimming where there is an obvious danger or against the direction of a sign or park employee, so treat the posted lifeguard hours as the swimming hours. Outside the season, and outside the guarded area, the beaches are for walking and the view. Rules also bar tubes, floats, fins and other swimming aids unless the park has specifically allowed them, so leave the inflatables at home and check the signs at the beach.

Water Quality

NYS Parks posts beach sampling results online and links them from the Heckscher page. Bay beaches can close after heavy rain while the water is retested, so check the water quality results before you drive out.

Is the Heckscher Pool Open?

No. NYS Parks lists the swimming pool as closed. The pool complex still stands on the bay shore between Fields 6 and 7, and older park guides call it the South Beach Pool, but it is not operating. For swimming, use the two bay beaches in season.

Parking for the Beach

Park in Field 6 for West Beach and Field 8 for Overlook Beach. In 2026 the vehicle use fee was $10 a car from June 27 to September 7, collected 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays; an Empire Pass covers it. Buses pay $35. See hours and fees and parking and directions.

What to Bring

• Sunscreen, water and something for shade.
• Food or cash for the Field 6 concession stand.
• Insect repellent for the walk through the picnic groves; NYS Parks warns about ticks in grassy and wooded areas on Long Island.
• Leave the dog at home: dogs are not allowed in bathing or picnic areas. See dogs.

Beach Season vs Off-Season

Outside the swim season the bay shore stays open sunrise to sunset like the rest of the park. Off-season visits are for a beach walk, birding along the shore, or launching a kayak from Field 7 between March 1 and November 30 (see kayaking).