A. Although every beach in the city is open for surfing when the lifeguards are not on duty ( before 10 AM and after 5 or 5:30 PM), the designated and guarded all day surfing beaches are 7th Street beach and Waverly Beach (several blocks north of 1st Street). These beaches are guarded by lifeguards who keep out the swimmers and are on watch for problems. Other beaches in the south end of the island are also open for surfing, but are not guarded or regulated. These include 16th Street, 37th Street and several beaches near the old 59th Street fishing pier.
Although on any given day and swell, any beach can be good, several beaches have developed a reputation for consistant good breaks. 8th Street is one of the best on a big north swell. 3rd and 5th are the best on northeast wind swells, because the large jetties block both the drift and the chop. The north end ( 1st street through Seaspray) is usually lined up better on smaller to mid size waves. This area is also a longboard haven. The south end (from about 20th Street to 59th Street) usually is an outside sandbar break, and changes dramatically with the tides. It is often good, uncrowded, and overlooked.

Q. Do I need a beach tag to surf?

A. The short answer is yes. A beach tag is needed during the summer season at every beach. The long answer is that it depends on many factors. For example, no beach tags are required in the off season (Oct - April). Beach tags are not needed before the guards go on duty and after they leave the beach. If you only surf early morning before the guards come on duty or after the guards leave in the evening, you do not need one on that occassion. Also, at some unguarded beaches you may not see any beach taggers, and may enter the water without showing your badge. That being said, it is always a good idea to have a tag (seasonal if possible) on hand to avoid ruining a good session, since they are required by law.