The Only Private Beach in the Five Boroughs

When viewing Breezy Point from the Rockaway Inlet it is easy to forget that you are a mere 22 miles from Manhattan in a waterway that separates Brooklyn from Queens. The khaki colord sand beach is very clean and usually empty. On the beach sits the large "Lighthouse" Fire Control Tower, which looks lighthouse missing that is missing its light, or a huge lifeguard tower, with a row low-slung beachhouses of various styles, but all maintained beautifully framing the beach. From the beach, there is a great view of Manhattan, Brighton and Coney Island Beaches, Jamaica Bay, and the Manhattan Skyline. And because it sits on a bay, the beach is significantly less rough than the ocean side (it does get very rough, however.)

Breezy Point, which the New York Times calls "the whitest neighborhood in the city," is a small neighborhood of about 2800 homes on the Western end of Rockaway Point. Known as the Irish Riveria, Breezy Point is the only private beach in the five boroughs and run as a cooperative where the Breezy Point Cooperative, Inc. owns the land and the co-op members own the building only. Houses rarely go for sale on the open market and are typically sold through word of mouth. If you do find one, you'll have to need to put at least 50% down and use to use one of two co-op approved banks. You will also need three references from established residents, a large percentage are fourth and fifth generation. You'll need to do all of this prior to getting board approval.

The neighborhood, which is gated, with security guards, has no schools and very limited shopping. In addition to the seclusion and beautiful beaches, It is the home of the Rockaway Point Yacht Club and also has one of the most diverse populations of state and federally listed collection of shorebirds in the area, with over 1,000 nested terns (non-gull birds) in the co-op.

Non co-op members can visit Breezy Point by picking up a free one-day permit at the Jacob Riis Park Visitor Center, which will permits a car to park at the lot at the end of Rockaway Point Boulevard. Or do what we do, and check it out from the water. Either way, you won't be disappointed.