Imagine being able to stretch out on a towel on the sand to sunbathe, or play beach volleyball right across the water from midtown Manhattan! Beach lovers can do those things at Water Taxi Beach. This artificial beach is on the East River at Hunters point in the borough of Queens. It is operated by the New York Water Taxi Company and is open to the public seven days a week from the Memorial Day weekend in May to the Columbus Day weekend in October. There is no admission charge.
Water Taxi Beach was conceived as an experiment to attract New Yorkers to Long Island City and to encourage the use of passenger water transport. The concept is similar to France's Paris Beach. Four hundred tons of sand were trucked in from New Jersey to make a beach where there had formerly been a wharf. The experiment has proven to be such a resounding success that the beach was enlarged. A similar project has been proposed for Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Visitors to Water Taxi Beach can play beach volleyball on one of the courts, or just relax by the water. The sunsets over the Manhattan skyline can be spectacular. The beach can be rented for private parties, and every Friday night there is a musical event called Turntables on the Hudson. Fast food, beer, wine and tropical drinks are available at a local restaurant. Visitors must bring their own beach chairs, blankets and towels. You can get to Water Taxi Beach by subway or by taking the water taxi from Manhattan.
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Instead of calling a taxi on the street, head on down to the docks and hail a New York Water Taxi. It is an environmentally friendly way to see the city.
