There's a reason photographers – both professional and amateur – head to Rockaway Beach on a regular basis. We have some of the most breathtaking sunsets around.

Yes, you can see a beautiful sunset from Rockaway Beach, but the experience differs depending on which side of the peninsula you are facing. Because Rockaway is a narrow strip of land, the beach itself faces South/Southeast toward the Atlantic Ocean, meaning you won't see the sun dip directly into the water from the sand. However, the bayside (facing Jamaica Bay and the Manhattan skyline) offers spectacular, unobstructed sunset views as the sun sets in the West. For the best "sunset experience" in 2026, locals head to the Rockaway Hotel’s rooftop bar or the various restaurants along the Beach 80th to Beach 116th Street bayside area. If you are on the boardwalk at sunset, you will still see the sky turn vibrant shades of pink and orange over the water, providing a dramatic backdrop even if the sun itself is disappearing behind the land behind you.