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If you're planning a summer swim in New York City's corner of the Long Island Sound, you may want to be a little choosy about where you spread your towel.
A newly released water quality report from environmental nonprofit Save the Sound found that some local beaches were remarkably clean last summer, while others spent a concerning amount of time failing bacterial water quality tests.
The annual report card evaluates beaches from the western end of Long Island Sound all the way to Block Island by testing for bacteria associated with sewage, stormwater runoff, pet waste and other contaminants. Water samples are collected throughout the swimming season, and beaches are graded based on how often they meet safe swimming standards.
The good news? Across the Long Island Sound region as a whole, 77% of beaches earned an A or B in 2025, marking the strongest performance since 2022. The less encouraging news? New York City's beaches didn't exactly lead the class.
Eight of the city's 11 Sound beaches received Ds or Fs, with several private clubs in the Bronx posting some of the lowest scores in the entire Long Island Sound. According to Save the Sound, the biggest culprit remains stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows, which can release untreated sewage mixed with rainwater into surrounding waterways during heavy rain events.
At the top of the rankings was Orchard Beach, the Bronx's beloved public beach and the only public beach in New York City located directly on Long Island Sound. It earned a B+, tied with the nearby West Fordham Street Association. Morris Yacht and Beach Club wasn't far behind with a solid B.
Meanwhile, a cluster of private beaches along Eastchester Bay landed at the bottom of the list. White Cross Fishing Club, American Turners and Trinity Danish Young People's Society each received an F, making them the worst-performing beaches in New York City's section of the Sound.
Environmental experts say the stronger-performing beaches around City Island benefit from less intense development and years of local stewardship efforts aimed at protecting water quality.
The Cleanest and Dirtiest NYC Beaches on Long Island Sound
- Orchard Beach — B+
- West Fordham Street Association — B+
- Morris Yacht and Beach Club — B
- Douglas Manor Association Beach — D+
- Manhem Beach Club — D
- Whitestone Booster Civic Association — D
- Danish American Beach Club — D-
- Schuyler Hill Civic Association — D-
- American Turners — F
- Trinity Danish Young People's Society — F
- White Cross Fishing Club — F