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Move With John · Southern Nassau County
Central Jones Beach: A Sunset Walk Along the Boardwalk
By John Cordeira · Visited October 24, 2026 · Original photos from my walk
Quick Facts
Where: The central oceanfront boardwalk at Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh
Start: Parking Field 6
Route: Out-and-back, west toward the Field 4/Central Mall area and Gatsby on the Ocean
Distance: About 3 miles round trip planned (1.5 out, 1.5 back). I was already at 1.66 miles heading out when I checked.
Pace: Walked the way out, ran the way back
Surface: Boardwalk and paved promenade
Best for: An easy evening walk with ocean views and a sunset
Check first: Parking hours and seasonal fees on the New York State Parks Jones Beach page
You don't always need a full-day adventure to enjoy Long Island. Sometimes a drive to the beach, a pair of sneakers and a little time before sunset are enough.
On an October evening, I headed down to Jones Beach, parked at Field 6 and started walking toward Field 4. I used to take this walk more often, and it had been a while. The plan was simple: walk a mile and a half out, then run the mile and a half back.
With the sun dropping in front of me and the boardwalk stretching ahead, I ended up going a little farther.
The boardwalk as the evening light began to change. Original photo by John Cordeira.
The Central Jones Beach Boardwalk
By central Jones Beach, I mean the main oceanfront boardwalk and promenade at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, not the separate West End 2 area. It's the familiar Jones Beach setting: a broad beachfront, ocean views, places to sit, and recreation and dining along the way.
What I like about this walk is that you can keep it simple. Move at a steady pace, stop for photos, or spend a few minutes on a bench watching the light change.
My Route: Field 6 Toward Field 4 and Beyond
I started at Field 6 and walked west along the oceanfront toward the Field 4/Central Mall area, then on toward Gatsby. The plan was about 3 miles round trip, turning around at a mile and a half. That was my plan, not a recorded final total.
New York State Parks describes the Jones Beach boardwalk as approximately two miles long, so there's room to adjust. That's the length of the boardwalk, not the distance between Field 6 and Field 4. When I checked my tracker, I'd already reached 1.66 miles heading out. Easy to do when you keep stopping to look around. Then I turned and ran back, which made the return trip a lot quicker than the stop-and-start walk out.
Pick your turnaround based on how far you want to walk, how much daylight is left and the posted parking hours.
Sunset Along the Boardwalk
The sunset was the reason I came down, and it became the highlight of the walk.
Earlier in the evening, the benches and railings cast long shadows across the wooden boards. As the sun dropped toward the dunes, the light shifted from gold to orange. Looking back the other way, the sky had softer pink tones, with the moon already up above the boardwalk.
One of the benches along the walk, with long shadows across the boards. Original photo by John Cordeira.
I kept taking pictures of the same stretch because it looked different every few minutes.
My advice: arrive before sunset, not just as the sun disappears. Give yourself time to walk, find a view you like and enjoy the changing light without rushing back. And turn around once in a while. Some of my favorite photos from this evening were taken looking away from the sun.
Looking back toward the moon and the softer colors in the opposite sky. Original photo by John Cordeira.
Passing Gatsby on the Ocean
One of the landmarks along this stretch is Gatsby on the Ocean, at the historic West Bathhouse. The oceanfront venue hosts dining and private events, including weddings.
There was a wedding going on when I walked by. Between the building, the evening light and the activity around it, this part of the walk had a different feel.
It also brought back a memory. My friends and I used to come down here as teenagers, once we could drive ourselves. I remember spending hours around the pool and the stone walls nearby. These days I'm more interested in the walk and the sunset, but it's nice to pass a place that's been part of your life that long.
Gatsby on the Ocean during my evening walk. Original photo by John Cordeira.
An Unexpected IRONMAN Moment
My visit happened to land on the same day as the Northwell Health IRONMAN 70.3 New York at Jones Beach.
A few athletes were still making their way along the course as the evening went on. They looked tired, and when I waved, a couple gave me a nod and kept going. I'd come down for a casual walk. They were finishing a very different kind of day.
It's also a reminder: when you're sharing the boardwalk with an organized race, pay attention to cones, marked routes and event staff.
Before You Head Down
Check parking hours and seasonal fees. Vehicle-entry fees and collection times at Jones Beach vary by season, and parking fields keep their own schedules. Plan an evening visit around the posted closing time, not just the sunset. Check current New York State Parks information before you leave.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer you can take off. I had on fairly heavy clothes that evening, which was fine for the walk out. Since I ran back, a lighter layer I could take off would have made more sense.
Keep the distance flexible. Three miles was my plan, not a requirement. A shorter walk with a few stops can be just as worthwhile.
Don't count on every summer amenity. Facilities run on seasonal schedules. Check ahead for anything you specifically plan to use.
John's Take
This evening, Jones Beach was exactly where I wanted to be.
I'd recommend this outing for an evening when you want ocean views and some movement without making a whole day of it. Walk out slow and take it in, then run back if you want the workout. The best part wasn't reaching a particular field or hitting a mileage goal. It was having enough time to notice the long shadows, the changing sky and the familiar places along the way.
That's a big part of Move With John: getting outside and experiencing what's around us. Sometimes it's a mountain hike. Sometimes it's returning to a boardwalk you haven't walked in a while.
A quick sunset photo along the way. Photo by John Cordeira.
Jones Beach Sunset Walk FAQs
Where should I park for a sunset walk on the central Jones Beach boardwalk?
I parked at Field 6 and walked west toward Field 4. Parking fields keep their own hours and seasonal fees, so check New York State Parks before an evening visit.
How long is the Jones Beach boardwalk?
New York State Parks describes it as approximately two miles long. That's the boardwalk's length, not the distance between any two parking fields.
How far did you walk?
I planned about 3 miles round trip: walking a mile and a half out, then running back. I was already at 1.66 miles heading out when I checked, so plan on going a little farther than you think.
When should I arrive for sunset?
Before the sun starts dropping, not as it disappears. That gives you time to walk, find a view and still get back before the posted parking closing time.
Is central Jones Beach the same as West End 2?
No. This walk covers the main oceanfront boardwalk. West End 2 is a separate, quieter area with dunes and the Energy & Nature Center. I wrote about it in my West End 2 adventure.
Live near Jones Beach
Wantagh, Seaford and Massapequa all put you a short drive from the beach. Start with the Wantagh guide for the neighborhoods, parks and what it's like to live there.
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Visit notes and all five photographs are from my own outing. Planning references: New York State Parks, Gatsby on the Ocean and the official 2026 IRONMAN event listing. Hours, fees, access and event arrangements can change.
John Cordeira
Broker/Owner, Cordeira Homes
Long Island, New York
#RippedRealtor