GREAT... BUT BEWARE THE MOSQUITOS!
Had to park in this across-the-highway lot for the first time, due to the pandemic (i.e., limited capacity at preferred lots). Attendant recommended going to the west end, because it's "way less crowded".
PROS
* Walk to beach not as long as feared.
* Parking lot patrolled by law enforcement.
* Social distancing enforced at parking lot with cones. And at beach itself, on a weekday, people sat 12-30 feet away, and social distanced in the water, too.
CONS
* No walkway to beach, like the one at Field 2. If you have a stroller, then be prepared to drag it through sand.
* Only a couple showers (all outdoor). Can get a bit crowded. May want to shower back home.
* Swarm of large, aggressive mosquitos active near parking lot at the end of the day. The parking lot is bordered by heavy foliage, which may be their home. So if you park near the edge in a bid to be closer to the under-pass leading to the beach, then you'll be closer to it. In the space of ~5 minutes, I was bitten 14 times, most of them through a rash guard; still have hard red bumps 1 1/2 days later.
NEUTRAL
* Thongs. Over the past couple years (going to Field 2 and 6) had seen maybe 1. On this first trip to Field 4, saw 5 bikini bottoms an inch wide or less.
PS - Jones Beach staff have been excellent, regardless of Field. From parking attendants to vendors to life guards, they've been consistently competent and friendly. KUDOS TO MANAGEMENT, esp. in this difficult time. Helped us have a nice day out with the kids, after a while. read more