Spend Your Summer at These 3 Long Island Beach Clubs

Want to enjoy the beach without draining your kids’ college fund for a summer in the Hamptons? You’re in luck. Just about 25 miles outside of Manhattan, dozens of beach clubs offer you a chance to feel the sand beneath your toes and the sun on your face—plus a hot shower to rinse off the sunscreen before heading back to the car. Here’s an inside look at three of our favorites in Atlantic Beach. — by Leslie Pepper 1. CATALINA BEACH CLUB Photo: Caryn Levy Walk onto the grounds of this club in Atlantic Beach and you’ll swear you’ve been trans- ported back to the 1950s.The Art Deco–style stucco building; long, sculptured promenades; and balconies stretching toward the sea have been featured in TV shows such as Royal Pains, films such as Goodfellas, and even on a Beyoncé album cover. The club also offers an Olympic-sized pool, tennis courts, a steam room, and a day spa, as well as family activities such as mommy-and-me classes and a day camp for children ages three to seven. Prices range from simple $3,100 lockersbath cabins to tony $15,000 ocean-view upper cabanas, which are restricted to families with children over age seven. 2045 Ocean Blvd. near Daytona St., 516.239.2150 2. CLEARWATER BEACH CLUB Photo: Dominik Dedaj The largest club in Atlantic Beach offers a lot of room to spread out. Clearwater prides itself on making its members top priority. Whether it’s charming a pouting child or making a run to the surf shop for goggles, management here says they’ll do whatever it takes to create an unforgettable summer for everyone. Multiple generations of families can enjoy the over-the-counter restaurant, beach bar and loads of entertainment, including an Olympic-sized pool and courts for basketball, bocce ball, and horseshoes. The club even offers yoga on Sundays. Fro the latest on pricing for lockers and cabanas visit Clearwater Beach Club on Facebook . 1875 Ocean Blvd., 516.239.5511 3. THE SANDS Photo: Courtesy of The Sands The Sands in Atlantic Beach considers itself Long Island’s premier beach club, boasting a large heated pool, paddle ball courts, two play areas for kids, and beach volleyball. Members can spend a quiet day relaxing or socializing with cabana mates, neighbors, and friends. Every cabana comes with a cabana boy to open your unit, set up chairs, bring you sandwiches at lunch, and fill your coolers with ice. Lockers come with locker boys to set up your chairs and umbrellas on the beach. The Sands also has an extensive food court with everything from burgers and fries to chopped salads. And the club offers towel service (at an extra cost) so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own. Prices start at $2,100 for a half locker and top out at $22,800 for a full cabana with a prime ocean view. 1395 Beech St., 516.371.4000 Find your Long Island home by the beach by searching available properties currently on the market.