Tobay Beach and Marina, Massapequa

Tobay Beach, also known as TOBAY Beach and Marina, is a Town of Oyster Bay oceanfront recreation complex on Ocean Parkway in Nassau County. Located on the barrier island south of Massapequa, it offers two very different waterfront experiences: a broad beach facing the Atlantic Ocean and a more sheltered bayside area with a marina, playgrounds, a spray park, and seasonal dining. The destination is a longtime summer favorite for residents of the Town of Oyster Bay and a recognizable landmark on Long Island’s South Shore.

The beach lies about four miles east of Jones Beach State Park, with West Gilgo Beach farther east along the parkway. Although it is often described simply as a public beach, Tobay is a town-operated facility with residency, identification, parking, and boating rules that visitors should understand before making the trip. Its ocean and bay sides are connected by the same beach complex, but they serve different kinds of recreation and have different safety considerations.

Where Tobay Beach Is Located

Tobay Beach occupies a stretch of the Jones Beach barrier-island system between the Atlantic surf to the south and the protected waters of South Oyster Bay to the north. This geography is central to its appeal. The ocean side delivers the expansive horizon, breaking waves, and open sand associated with Long Island’s ocean beaches, while the bayside provides calmer water views and access to boating facilities. Both settings are part of the larger network of beaches, marshes, channels, and tidal waterways along the South Shore.

The facility is reached from Ocean Parkway, which runs east and west along the barrier island. Most beachgoers arrive by car, using regional parkway connections from mainland Nassau County. The town lists the location as Ocean Parkway, Massapequa, and the beach office can be reached at (516) 679-3900. Travelers should not confuse Tobay with the neighboring state-operated Jones Beach or with other town beaches, because admission and parking arrangements differ.

History and Development of Tobay Beach

Tobay’s name comes from the initials of the Town of Oyster Bay. The beach became established during the mid-20th-century expansion of municipal shoreline recreation, when automobile travel and improved parkway access made the barrier islands practical day-trip destinations for more Long Island families. The nearby development of Jones Beach State Park helped establish the Ocean Parkway corridor as one of the region’s signature coastal recreation areas.

Over time, Tobay evolved from a traditional swimming beach into a broader family-oriented destination. Its oceanfront pavilions, bathhouse facilities, bayside marina, food service areas, and children’s amenities reflect successive generations of investment in town recreation. The Town of Oyster Bay has also noted that the shoreline was once used as the backdrop for a Marilyn Monroe photo shoot, an unusual piece of local beach history.

More recent changes have emphasized family recreation and waterfront dining. A major spray-park upgrade and a new marina-area playground were announced in 2019, adding interactive water features, shaded play space, and equipment for different age groups. In 2023, Tobay was named Best Beach on Long Island in the Bethpage Best of Long Island readers’ contest, a recognition announced by the town. These additions help explain why the complex is more than a simple stretch of sand.

Oceanfront Swimming and Beach Facilities

The south-facing side of Tobay Beach is its most familiar landscape: a wide expanse of sand, dunes, and open Atlantic water. On a typical summer beach day, visitors gather near the main pavilion, settle into the sand, and swim in designated areas when lifeguards are on duty. The beach also provides restrooms, concessions, and access routes from the parking areas, making it suitable for families who want facilities close at hand rather than a remote shoreline experience.

Swimming conditions can change quickly with surf, currents, weather, and water quality. The presence of lifeguards during posted hours does not mean that every part of the shoreline is open for swimming. Visitors should use designated areas, observe beach flags and staff instructions, and avoid entering the ocean when swimming is closed or lifeguards are absent. Families with young children should remember that an ocean beach has different hazards from a pool or protected bay.

Beachgoers who enjoy more active ocean recreation may also be interested in the guide to Long Island beaches with surfing. Surfing and board-use permissions at Tobay itself depend on local rules and designated areas, so it is important to confirm current restrictions rather than assume all ocean activities are allowed everywhere along the beach. For those seeking other nearby oceanfront experiences, Jones Beach offers a different range of state-park amenities and access arrangements.

Bayside Beach, Spray Park, and Playgrounds

Across the barrier island, Tobay’s bayside is oriented toward a quieter family outing. The town describes ocean and bayside swimming opportunities, with the bay’s more sheltered setting offering a contrast to the Atlantic surf. The north side also features picnic tables, playgrounds, and facilities near the marina. Visitors should still follow posted swimming designations, since calm-looking tidal water is not automatically a safe or permitted place to enter.

One of the most recognizable family amenities is the Tobay Spray Park, which the town upgraded with interactive water play. Its features include water jets, spraying structures, dumping buckets, and shaded areas designed to provide a break from the heat. The town’s 2026 information lists spray-park hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during its operating period. As with any seasonal outdoor attraction, operation may be affected by staffing, maintenance, weather, or special events.

Playgrounds near the marina and spray park add options for children who need a break from the beach. The combination of ocean sand, protected bay scenery, picnic space, and water play makes Tobay especially attractive for families who prefer to spend several hours in one location. Visitors should plan around the town’s access rules and remember that individual facilities may not all open or close at the same time.

Tobay Marina and Boating

The bayside marina is a defining feature of Tobay Beach. Officially identified as the Joseph J. Saladino Memorial Marina at TOBAY, it is a seasonal transient facility with more than 150 slips, situated on South Oyster Bay. Its amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, playgrounds, and food service. Boaters approach through local channels and must follow the town’s marina procedures, rather than treating the slips as unrestricted public docking space.

Unlike the general beach experience, the marina is explicitly restricted to eligible Town of Oyster Bay resident boat owners or lessees. The town’s published 2026 marina season ran from May 2 through October 31, with membership and daily slip charges determined by the applicable rules and vessel size. Boaters should verify requirements, documentation, available space, and operating dates directly with the town before departing. For broader options around the island, see the guide to boating and boat rentals on Long Island.

Even for visitors who are not arriving by boat, the marina contributes to the atmosphere of the bayside. Docks, passing vessels, tidal water, and waterfront seating create a different scene from the exposed Atlantic shoreline. It is also a useful reminder that the barrier island connects two related but distinct coastal environments, each with its own rules and recreational uses.

Dining, Concessions, and Seasonal Events

Tobay has developed a reputation for combining a beach day with waterfront food and entertainment. The Town of Oyster Bay currently identifies The Boatyard as a bayside dining venue and The Surf Shack as a beachside restaurant, along with several concession stands. Dining operations and opening hours can change independently of the beach season, so restaurant plans should be checked with the individual operators.

Seasonal events and community gatherings have also been part of Tobay’s appeal. Music, social events, and waterfront dining can make the beach feel lively well beyond the hours when families are swimming. However, a restaurant reservation or event ticket should not be assumed to grant general beach parking, swimming, or marina privileges. Guests should confirm the specific entrance and parking arrangements for the activity they intend to attend.

Fishing, Walking, Cycling, and Outdoor Recreation

Tobay is also a point of interest for people who enjoy shoreline activities beyond swimming. Anglers visit the Ocean Parkway corridor for saltwater fishing, while walkers and cyclists appreciate the coastal views and nearby shared-use paths. Surf fishing is subject to local access rules, state fishing regulations, and any permit requirements for nighttime use. The town’s 2026 permit system specifically provides for night fishing at Tobay during designated dates, with a separate application process.

Cyclists and walkers can explore portions of the barrier-island corridor using the Ocean Parkway shared-use path, where permitted. This route provides a way to experience coastal scenery without spending the entire visit on the sand, although the path is separate from the beach’s controlled entrance and parking arrangements. Riders should pay attention to path conditions, crossings, seasonal crowds, and wind, which can be significant on exposed barrier islands.

Photography is another natural attraction. The contrast between Atlantic waves, pale sand, dunes, marina docks, and protected bay water creates changing scenes throughout the day. Early mornings often bring softer light and fewer crowds, while late afternoons can be particularly attractive on the bayside. Visitors should respect marked dunes, private or restricted areas, and the privacy of other beachgoers when photographing the shoreline.

Wildlife, Dunes, and the JFK Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary

The natural setting surrounding Tobay is more ecologically significant than its developed facilities might suggest. Dunes help protect the barrier island from waves and storm-driven flooding, while the bayside wetlands provide habitat for birds, fish, and other coastal wildlife. Salt marshes and tidal flats are especially important feeding and resting areas for waterfowl and migrating shorebirds along the Atlantic Flyway.

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary at Tobay protects approximately 550 acres of wetlands. According to the town, entry is permit-controlled, with separate conditions for residents and nonresidents. The 2026 town information lists a free resident permit and a $60 nonresident permit that requires a resident sponsor. A regular beach parking sticker does not replace sanctuary authorization, and visitors should check current access hours and permit rules before planning a wildlife visit.

Respect for the dunes and wetlands is essential throughout the complex. Beach grass and other dune vegetation stabilize sand, while protected nesting and feeding areas can be disturbed by people entering restricted zones. Staying on designated paths, following posted wildlife notices, disposing of litter properly, and avoiding disturbance of birds are practical ways to help preserve this heavily visited coastal landscape.

2026 Beach Season, Parking, and Residency Rules

The Town of Oyster Bay’s published 2026 schedule listed weekend beach operations beginning May 23, followed by daily operations from June 27 through September 7. The town listed general beach hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lifeguards beginning duty at 9 a.m. These are the published 2026 dates and hours, not a guarantee of future-season schedules. Weather, staffing, or town announcements can affect actual operations.

For 2026, the town listed daily resident beach parking at $25 and a seasonal resident sticker at $70. A Town of Oyster Bay resident must be in the vehicle and show a driver’s license for daily entry; seasonal sticker purchases require vehicle registration and the vehicle receiving the sticker. Because the beach is operated with resident eligibility requirements, nonresidents should not assume they can simply drive in and purchase a regular beach pass. Guests should confirm current rules with the town before traveling.

The town’s official TOBAY Beach information page is the best starting point for current admission rules, fees, lifeguard schedules, and special facilities. The Beaches and Boating office can also answer questions about permits, accessibility arrangements, and seasonal changes. The town lists the beach telephone number as (516) 679-3900 and the Beaches Division at (516) 797-4110.

Planning a Visit and Nearby Destinations

For residents eligible to use the beach, a successful visit begins with confirming that the season is active, bringing the required identification or parking sticker, and choosing whether the ocean or bayside facilities are the priority. Families planning to use the spray park may want to bring a change of clothing and allow time for playgrounds and dining. Swimmers should check lifeguard coverage, and boaters should arrange marina access before arriving by water.

Visitors exploring the wider South Shore can combine the coastal drive with stops at Jones Beach State Park to the west or continue east past West Gilgo Beach toward Cedar Beach and the Town of Babylon shoreline. These locations have their own admission, parking, and recreation policies, so access at one beach should not be taken as access at another.

Tobay’s setting also makes it a useful starting point for understanding the geography of Long Island’s barrier islands. Ocean Parkway follows a narrow coastal strip that separates the open Atlantic from bays and marshlands behind it. The contrast is particularly apparent at Tobay, where a short change in direction takes visitors from surf and dunes to sheltered docks and tidal wetlands.

---

Tobay Beach, Massapequa

---

Key Facts & Details

Category	Details
Location	Ocean Parkway, Massapequa, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York
Beach Type	Town-operated oceanfront and bayside beach complex on a barrier island
Waterfront	Atlantic Ocean to the south; South Oyster Bay to the north
Managing Agency	Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department
Beach Office	(516) 679-3900
2026 Beach Season	Weekends beginning May 23; daily June 27 through September 7
2026 Beach Hours	8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; lifeguards listed from 9 a.m.
2026 Resident Parking	$25 daily or $70 seasonal sticker; identification and residency requirements apply
Beach Access	Town resident eligibility and guest restrictions apply; verify before visiting
Oceanfront Facilities	Seasonal lifeguards, sandy beach, restrooms, pavilions, concessions
Bayside Facilities	Spray park, playgrounds, picnic areas, dining, marina, designated bayside swimming
Marina	Joseph J. Saladino Memorial Marina at TOBAY; 150-plus transient slips; eligible town residents only
Wildlife Area	John F. Kennedy Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately 550 acres; separate permit required
Activities	Swimming, boating, fishing, beach walking, cycling, and coastal photography
Nearby Destinations	Jones Beach State Park, West Gilgo Beach, and Cedar Beach
Official Information	Town of Oyster Bay TOBAY Beach website

Tobay Beach remains one of the Town of Oyster Bay’s signature summer recreation areas because it brings together two sides of Long Island’s coast in one place. Its Atlantic shoreline offers the familiar experience of a sandy ocean beach, while its bayside marina, family amenities, dining, and nearby wetlands reveal another side of the barrier island. With the right permits, identification, and advance planning, eligible visitors can enjoy a distinctive South Shore destination that combines beach traditions with boating and natural scenery.