Top 5 Beaches For Your Long Island Beach Engagement

Long Island beaches offer some of the most stunning backdrops for engagement photos, combining natural beauty with that effortless coastal elegance that makes every shot Instagram-worthy. Not that everything is about whether or not it should be posted on social media, but you get my point. Whether you're dreaming of golden hour magic or dramatic sunset vibes, these top 5 beaches for your Long Island beach engagement will give you those swoon-worthy photos that are so dreamy and breathtaking.

As a Long Island wedding photographer, I've witnessed countless couples fall head over heels (again!) for these stunning coastal locations. From the windswept dunes of Robert Moses to the sophisticated charm of Long Beach, each of these beach locations in Long Island offers its own unique personality. Making finding the right beach for your engagement session seemingly a breeze. Let's dive into some of the most Long Island beach engagement locations that will have you falling more in love with Long Island.

Robert Moses State Park in Babylon, NY

Robert Moses State Park is hands-down one of the most perfect locations for beach engagement photos on Long Island. It's probably my most frequented beach for engagement sessions, and that MUST say something... right? This Fire Island gem offers five miles of pristine coastline, complete with rolling dunes, beach grass that dances in the ocean breeze, and those picture-perfect lighthouse views that scream coastal romance.

Why Robert Moses State Park?

The park's diverse landscape is basically like my ultimate playground as a photographer. You'll find everything from intimate dune settings, the stunning boardwalk and expansive beach vistas, plus the iconic Fire Island Lighthouse that adds a touch of Long Island history to your photos. Feel free to explore some of the photos that I've taken at Robert Moses State Park! The natural lighting here is absolutely magical, especially during golden hour when the sun casts that warm, honeyed glow across the sand.

Permits and Fees

Here's the good news: no special permits are required for getting your engagement photos done at Robert Moses State Park! You'll just need to pay the standard park entrance fee, which varies by season. During peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), expect to pay around $10 per vehicle before 5pm. (After 5pm, parking is free!) Off-season rates are typically lower at around $8 per vehicle, making Fall and Spring engagement sessions more budget-friendly and also less crowded.

Parking and Logistics

Robert Moses offers ample parking across multiple lots (Fields 2, 3, 4, and 5), but here's my insider tip: Field 5 is your best bet for engagement sessions. It's closest to the lighthouse area and offers the most diverse shooting locations within walking distance. Arrive early to your session during the Summer months because parking fills up quickly, especially on weekends!

One of the many reasons why I love Robert Moses State Park is that it's open year-round, however hours will vary by season. Summer hours extend until sunset, perfect for those dreamy golden hour sessions. Winter hours are more limited, so plan accordingly if you're going for that dramatic off-season vibe.

Long Beach, NY in Nassau County

Long Beach NY is a great engagement location spot in Long Island if you're wanting something a bit more casual. Here you can find ice cream shops, boardwalk performers, and fun dive bars that are perfect for couples that are wanting a little bit more excitement during their engagement session.

Why Long Beach?

What sets Long Beach apart is its impeccable maintenance and stunning two-mile boardwalk. The beach offers both intimate spots for romantic close-ups and some more expansive areas for some breathtaking wide shots. The boardwalk itself is so fun to bring you and your partner and get some cute moments overlooking the water that I completely fall in love with. Having the boardwalk there also makes it the perfect post-engagement session date night, which my couples LOVE to do after being all lovey dovey on the beach.

Beach Permits and Regulations

If you're wanting to head to Long Beach for your engagement session then you're in luck before there are no permit fees for you to shoot here, yay! This makes it 10x easier for you to be able to have a Long Beach engagement session and not be worried that you're going to be hounded for taking photos there. Long Beach is one of my favorite engagement locations on Long Island and this is definitely one of the many perks!

Parking and Access

Long Beach offers several parking options, including metered street parking and municipal lots. During peak season, parking can be challenging, so I would consider early morning or late afternoon sessions when spots are more readily available. The beach is easily accessible from the Long Island Rail Road, making it convenient for couples coming from the city.

Best Times to Shoot

Long Beach truly shines during the shoulder seasons aka late Spring and early Fall which offer the perfect combination of perfect photo weather and fewer crowds. The beach faces South, providing excellent lighting throughout the day, but sunset sessions here are the absolute best... IMO.

Smith Point Beach in Shirley, NY

For couples who love a more natural and untouched aesthetic, Smith Point Beach delivers drama and raw beauty in spades. This Long Beach gem offers a more rugged, windswept vibe that's perfect for couples who want their engagement photos to reflect a more effortless and undone type of vibe.

Why Smith Point Beach?

Smith Point is all about that untamed coastal beauty. The beach stretches for miles, offering endless opportunities for those epic wide shots that showcase the vastness of the Atlantic. The dunes here are particularly amazing, creating the perfect setting that changes with the seasons and weather conditions. Smith Point Beach also allows you to drive your car on the beach, making it a really cool prop for some fun and different engagement photos. Also, a major bonus for an engagement session at Smith Point Beach is also the fact that it's dog friendly! I love it when couples bring along their pups for their session. However, make sure you bring someone along to hold your pup while we get some solos of you.

Permits and Access

Smith Point County Park requires a Green Key Access Permit for drive-on entry, which costs around $40 for non-residents. The good news? No additional permits are needed beyond that - woohoo! I swear, those permits will get you but they are kinda worth it. For regular beach access, there is no cost after 5pm. A major benefit of Smith Point Beach is that the park is open year-round, making it easier to schedule engagement photos when the its a little less crowded like in the Fall months.

Parking and Amenities

The park offers extensive parking facilities, and even during busy Summer days, you'll typically find spots available. The beach is less developed than some other Long Island beach locations we've talked about, which means fewer crowds, however that also means fewer amenities. Come prepared with water and snacks, especially for longer sessions or sessions in the Spring/Fall.

Weather Considerations

Smith Point can be quite exposed to wind and weather, which creates those gorgeous, windswept looks but also requires some planning. Bring layers and be prepared for changing conditions.

West Meadow Beach in Setauket, New York

West Meadow Beach is Long Island's best-kept secret for engagement photos, and one of my all-time favorite Long Beach engagement session locations. West Meadow Beach offers a more intimate, secluded setting that feels like your own private paradise.

Why West Meadow Beach?

The beach's unique geography creates a natural harbor effect, resulting in calmer waters and more protected conditions. This makes it ideal for those romantic, intimate shots where you want to focus on connection rather than battling the elements. Which lets be real, being by the water it can make you feel like you are under attack against the wind and water - LOL. The beach also offers stunning views of the Long Island Sound, creating a different aesthetic from the other Atlantic-facing beaches.

Permits and Fees

West Meadow Beach is part of the Town of Brookhaven park system, and the best part? It's free! No parking fees, no permits required for engagement sessions, yay!! This makes it the perfect option for couples who are wanting to find a more budget-friendly option and is more hassle-free than some of the other Long Island beach locations that require permits.

Parking and Access

Parking is somewhat limited compared to larger beach parks, but this limitation is actually a blessing because it keeps crowds manageable and maintains that intimate atmosphere. The beach is easily accessible with a short walk from the parking area, making it one of the more convenient beach locations in Long Island.

Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park

Sunken Meadow State Park rounds out our top five with its unique combination of beach access and dramatic bluff-top views. This Kings Park location offers the best of both worlds – intimate beach settings and elevated vantage points that provide stunning panoramic shots.

Why Sunken Meadow State Park?

What makes Sunken Meadow special is its diversity. You can start your session on the beach for those beautiful coastal shots, then move up to the bluffs for more dramatic elevated perspectives. Sunken Meadow is an incredibly well maintained park that is easy access and gives couples the opportunity to have different elements showcased throughout their engagement photos. This park also offers tons of greenery, giving couples the best of both worlds during their engagement session.

Permits and Logistics

Sunken Meadow follows standard New York State Park regulations. You'll pay the vehicle entrance fee during the day (around $8-10 depending on the season), and no special permits are required for your engagement photos. The park is open year-round with seasonal hour variations.

Parking and Facilities

Sunken Meadow State Park offers excellent parking facilities and is generally less crowded than some of the more popular Long Island beaches. This makes it ideal for couples who want beautiful photos without the stress of dealing with crowds. The park also has restroom facilities and picnic areas, making it convenient for longer sessions and perfect for outfit changes ;)

Planning Your Perfect Long Island Engagement Session

Timing Is Everything

Everyone you ask may give you an answer on when the best time for your engagement session is. However, for me, I'd have to argue that the best times for a Long Island beach engagement session are almost *always* during golden hours. We're talking either the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset. These times provide that magical, warm lighting that makes everyone look absolutely radiant. Spring and Fall offer the perfect combination of great weather and fewer crowds, while Summer engagement Long Island beach engagement sessions require more planning but offer longer days and lush vegetation.

What to Expect

Each of the beaches mentioned in this blog offers its own unique personality, so consider what aesthetic matches your vision. Robert Moses provides that classic romance, Long Beach offers sophistication, Smith Point delivers more wild natural beauty, West Meadow Beach provides intimate seclusion, and Sunken Meadow is all about elevated beach charm.

Working with Your Photographer

When planning your Long Island engagement session, communication with your photographer is key. Discuss your vision, preferred locations, and any specific shots you're hoping to capture. Experienced Long Island wedding photographers (*cough cough*) will know the best spots, optimal timing, and how to work with the unique characteristics of each location.