Jones, Robert Moses and other Long Island beaches open for season

Several Long Island beaches officially opened for the season Memorial Day following strict new state guidelines for reduced capacity and social distancing, where officials expect parking lots at the most popular beaches to fill by noon. Many towns and municipalities are limiting beach access to residents only. State Park beaches, day-use areas and historic sites may charge entrance fees between $6-$10. Here are the details, including any admission fees or site-specific restrictions beachgoers will encounter:

OPEN TO PUBLIC

JONES BEACH STATE PARK, Wantagh Open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends and holidays with lifeguards on duty. Realtime parking updates will be posted at parks.ny.gov, Fee: $10 for parking, 516-785-1600.

ROBERT MOSES STATE PARK, Babylon Open dawn to dusk with lifeguards on duty for swimming 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Parking updates will be posted on parks.ny.gov, Fee: $10 for parking, 631-669-0449. 

GOV. ALFRED E. SMITH/SUNKEN MEADOW STATE PARK, Kings Park The beach is open sunrise to sunset daily with lifeguards on duty for swimming 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 631-269-4333. Fee: $10 for parking, parks.ny.gov

HECKSCHER STATE PARK, East Islip Gates open at 7 a.m. daily for the park set on the Great South Bay (no lifeguards until June 27), 631-581-2100, Fee: $8; $10 as of June 27, parks.ny.gov.

WILDWOOD STATE PARK, Wading River The beach set on the Long Island Sound is open but swimming doesn't begin until June 27. Fee: $8; $10 as of June 27, 631-929-4314, parks.ny.gov.

ORIENT BEACH STATE PARK, Orient Located on the eastern tip of the North Fork of Long Island, the beach and park are open dawn to dusk with swimming beginning June 27. Fee: $8; $10 as of June 27, 631-323-2440, parks.ny.gov.

HITHER HILLS STATE PARK, Montauk The beach is open to swimming with lifeguards on duty 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 631-581-2100, Fee: $10 for parking, parks.ny.gov.

SAILORS HAVEN/ WATCH HILL, Fire Island Ferries from Sayville (sayvilleferry.com) are not expected to run to Sailors Haven until at least June 25; the Patchogue ferry to Watch Hill (davisparkferry.com) is not available. Use the Patchchoge to Davis Park ferry for acccess to Watch Hill. Call in advance to verify if ferries are running to these locations; however, Sailors Haven is only around a mile walk from Cherry Grove, while Watch Hill is also about a mile from Davis Park. Lifeguards are expected to be activated by the end of June; call the Sailors Haven Marina (631-597-6014) or Watch Hill Marina (631-597-6073) in advance to confirm if lifeguards are in place.

LONG BEACH

Beach Residents can buy passes 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 300 Broadway, Long Beach. Proof of residency is required. Until further notice, nonresidents will not have access to the beach Friday-Sunday. The city will also close its 2.2-mile boardwalk nightly at 9 p.m. and restrict access with barricades.   Fee:  Season pass for residents: $50, $70 family, $15 senior, $25 ages 13-17. Non-resident season passes are not being sold at this time. Lifeguards on duty 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Labor Day, 516-431-1021, longbeachny.gov

NASSAU COUNTY RESIDENTS

EUGENE NICKERSON BEACH, Lido Beach Capacity will be capped at 1,000 at this beach open to Nassau County residents only for the time being. Lifeguards on duty at 10 a.m. Fee: $15 with proof of residency (credit or debit card only) will be collected 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; 516-571-7700, nassaucountyny.gov.

SUFFOLK COUNTY RESIDENTS

SMITH POINT COUNTY PARK, Shirley Open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m for Suffolk County residents only with proof of residency with lifeguards on duty. Tiki Joe's restaurant is open weekends for takeout. Fee: $9 parking with green key ($18 without green key); 631-852-1313, suffolkcountyny.gov.

CUPSOGUE BEACH COUNTY PARK, Westhampton Open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m for Suffolk County residents only with proof of residency with lifeguards on duty. Tiki Joe's restaurant is open weekends for takeout. Fee: $9 parking with green key ($18 without green key); 631-852-8111, suffolkcountyny.gov.

Compiled by Lynn Petry.