‘Secret' beach just a short ride from NYC named third best in US — and swimsuits are optional
New Yorkers looking to beat the heat — and get naked — needn't look much farther than the Big Apple.
BoatBooker, an international boat activity service, has named the most underrated beaches in the country — and a Garden State entry made the list.
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Gunnison Beach, located in Sandy Hook, came in third place thanks to its sprawling shores and top-tier views of New York City, located just across the water.
However, the skyline sights are far from the only spectacle this seaside destination offers.
Gunnison is also the only clothing-optional beach in Jersey, making it a popular place for people with a particular penchant for naturalism.
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3 Gunnison Beach was the only Northeast spot to snag a top ranking on the list.
Scenic Corner – stock.adobe.com
Gunnison Beach has been a favorite of naked New Jerseyans since the '70s.
However, the National Park Service advises that beach bums keep a close eye on posted signs to ensure they're not caught wandering au naturel out of bounds, as they could be slapped with a disorderly conduct charge.
3 The sandy stretch has plenty of signs about the clothing-optional culture.
Steven Hirsch
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3 Sandy Hook also has plenty of other beaches for the clothing-inclined, but they may be swarmed by summer crowds.
John McAdorey – stock.adobe.com
Not only is it clothing-optional, it's also a close commute for New Yorkers and Jerseyites alike. During the summer months, beachgoers can hop on a ferry from lower Manhattan to get to Sandy Hook in an hour or so.
New York has its own highly-ranked beaches to be sure, but this season, the most sought-after spots in the Hamptons have become costlier and more crowded than ever before.
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A simple weekend getaway can cost thousands of dollars, plus hours on the highways in traffic.
Aside from the New Jersey beach that took bronze, sandy spots in South Carolina and California fared favorably.
In fact, aside from Gunnison, literally no other beaches beat out the top-tier Palmetto and Golden State shores.
While these hidden gem spots may boast sprawling, crowd-free sands, many listed areas — Gunnison Beach included — do not have lifeguards on duty.
Top underrated beaches in the U.S. in 2025
Vereen Memorial Park, South Carolina Driftwood Beach, South Carolina Gunnison Beach, New Jersey Morris Island, South Carolina Torrey Pines City Beach, California Caswell Beach, North Carolina Dana Strands Beach, California Pirates Cove Beach, California Station 22 – Public Beach Access, South Carolina Edisto Beach State Park Campground, South Carolina
Amid a wave of high-profile drownings as a result of coastal rip currents, experts advise beachgoers to monitor weather and wave conditions closely.
Kaitlin Krause, the founder of the NYC-based rip current education non-profit Rising Tide Effect, previously told The Post that 'untrained rescuers often become victims themselves,' and advised onlookers to call 911 immediately, and said that 'if you must assist, throw something that floats, like a life ring, buoy or cooler.'
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