Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai, New York
Cedar Beach–Mount Sinai is a public North Shore beach and waterfront recreation area in Mount Sinai, within the Town of Brookhaven. The beach occupies a narrow peninsula separating Mount Sinai Harbor from the Long Island Sound.
This Cedar Beach should not be confused with the separate Cedar Beach in the Town of Babylon, which is located along Ocean Parkway on the South Shore. The Mount Sinai property is a much larger waterfront complex with two beach areas, a fishing pier, walking trails, a marina, boat-launching ramps and environmental programs.
In Short
Cedar Beach–Mount Sinai combines swimming and shoreline recreation with fishing, boating and opportunities to explore the coastal environment. Visitors can choose between Cedar Beach Main and Cedar Beach West, walk through the protected dune area, visit the marine environmental center or enjoy views across the Long Island Sound and Mount Sinai Harbor.
Cedar Beach Main and Cedar Beach West
The property contains two adjoining recreational areas known as Cedar Beach Main and Cedar Beach West. Cedar Beach Main is the primary swimming and activity area. It is closest to the main entrance and includes concessions, a playground, basketball courts, restrooms and other visitor facilities.
Cedar Beach West extends farther along the peninsula and generally provides a quieter beach experience. It is also associated with the fishing pier, jetty and boating facilities near the entrance to Mount Sinai Harbor. Lifeguard coverage at Cedar Beach West is more limited than at the main beach, so visitors should check the current schedule and swim only in an officially supervised area.
Swimming and Shoreline Conditions
The beach faces the Long Island Sound rather than the open Atlantic Ocean. As a result, wave action is ordinarily gentler than at Long Island’s ocean beaches, although water and weather conditions can change quickly. The North Shore shoreline contains pebbles and stones in addition to sand, making water shoes helpful for some visitors.
Seasonal lifeguards supervise designated portions of the beach. Visitors should enter the water only between the green swimming flags and follow all posted instructions. According to the Town of Brookhaven’s normal schedule, Cedar Beach Main receives its most consistent lifeguard coverage between July 4 and Labor Day, while Cedar Beach West is generally guarded on weekends during that period. Schedules remain subject to staffing, weather and water conditions.
Fishing, Boating and the Marina
Cedar Beach is also an important recreational access point for Mount Sinai Harbor. The waterfront complex includes a fishing pier, marina and boat-launching ramps. Anglers use the pier and nearby shoreline to fish the waters around the harbor entrance and Long Island Sound. Fishing is not permitted inside designated swimming areas.
Separate permits and fees may apply to boat launching, marina berths, moorings, kayak storage and nighttime fishing. A Town of Brookhaven night-fishing parking permit is required between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and is available only to eligible town residents.
Nature Center and Walking Trail
The Mount Sinai Marine Environmental Stewardship Center, sometimes called the Cedar Beach Nature Center, introduces visitors to the ecology of Mount Sinai Harbor and the Long Island Sound. Its educational features include aquariums, marine-life displays, an outdoor touch tank and interactive exhibits examining the plants and animals found along the shoreline.
A roughly 700-foot boardwalk passes through the dune system, where interpretive signs explain the vegetation and wildlife supported by this sensitive coastal habitat. The Town of Brookhaven also conducts guided walks, family activities and other environmental programs at Cedar Beach. Program dates, registration requirements and operating hours vary by season.
Parking and Beach Access
Brookhaven residents may purchase an annual virtual parking permit tied to a vehicle’s license plate. Visitors without an annual permit, including nonresidents, may generally use the on-site pay stations or the town’s designated mobile-payment system. Parking rates and collection hours vary by day, season and section of the property.
Cedar Beach Main typically has paid-parking hours extending later into the evening than Cedar Beach West and the fishing-pier area. Because permits, fees and operating procedures can change, visitors should review the Town of Brookhaven parking information before traveling.
Accessibility and Beach Rules
A Mobi-Mat provides a more stable route across portions of the sand, and an accessible beach wheelchair may be requested from the town. Availability should be confirmed in advance, particularly during busy summer weekends.
Town rules prohibit pets other than trained service dogs, open fires, grills, drones and smoking on the property. Rafts, inflatable toys, masks and snorkels are not permitted within the supervised swimming area. Boats, personal watercraft and fishing activities must also remain outside the marked swim zone.
Cedar Beach–Mount Sinai
Key Facts & Details
| Official name | Cedar Beach |
| Common identifying name | Cedar Beach–Mount Sinai |
| Location | 244 Harbor Beach Road, Mount Sinai, NY 11766 |
| Community | Mount Sinai |
| Municipality | Town of Brookhaven |
| County | Suffolk County |
| Waterfront | Long Island Sound and Mount Sinai Harbor |
| Beach areas | Cedar Beach Main and Cedar Beach West |
| Primary activities | Swimming, walking, fishing, boating, basketball and environmental education |
| Facilities | Concessions, restrooms, playground, basketball courts, walking trail, fishing pier, marina and boat ramps |
| Lifeguards | Seasonal and limited to designated hours and swimming areas |
| Parking | Town permit or payment at an authorized pay station |
| Accessibility | Mobi-Mat and beach wheelchair available |
| Dogs | Not permitted, except trained service dogs |
| Telephone | 631-451-8696 |
| Operator | Town of Brookhaven |
| Official information | Town of Brookhaven Cedar Beach page |
Summer weekends bring the largest crowds, especially around Cedar Beach Main, the concession area and the principal swimming section. Visitors interested primarily in walking, nature viewing or photography may find mornings and weekdays more relaxed. Sunset can be especially scenic from the peninsula, with broad views over the Sound and across Mount Sinai Harbor.
Cedar Beach–Mount Sinai is more than a conventional neighborhood beach. Its combination of supervised swimming, fishing access, boating facilities, environmental exhibits and protected coastal scenery makes it one of the most varied publicly operated waterfront destinations on the North Shore of Long Island. Visitors should check current parking requirements, lifeguard hours and facility availability before arriving, particularly outside the main summer season.
