Sun’s out, buns out.
New Yorkers looking to beat the heat — and get naked — needn’t look far.
Travel site BoatBooker has named the most underrated beaches in the country — and a Garden State entry made the list.
Gunnison Beach, in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, came in third place thanks to its sprawling shores and top-tier views of New York City, located just across the water.
And the skyline sights are far from the only spectacle this seaside destination offers.
Gunnison is also the only clothing-optional beach in Jersey, making it a popular place for people with a particular penchant for naturalism.
Gunnison Beach has been a favorite of naked New Jerseyans since the ’70s.
However, the National Park Service advises that beach bums keep a close eye on posted signs to ensure they’re not caught wandering au naturel out of bounds, as they could be slapped with a disorderly conduct charge.
Not only is it clothing-optional, it’s also a close commute for New Yorkers. During the summer months, beachgoers can hop on a ferry from lower Manhattan to get to Sandy Hook in an hour or so.
New York has its own highly ranked beaches to be sure, but this season, the most-sought-after spots in the Hamptons have become costlier and more crowded than ever.
A simple weekend getaway can cost thousands of dollars, plus hours on highways in traffic.
Aside from the New Jersey beach that took bronze, sandy spots in South Carolina and California fared favorably.
In fact, aside from Gunnison and one shore town in North Carolina, all beaches listed are in the Palmetto or Golden states.
While these hidden gems may boast sprawling, crowd-free sands, many listed areas — Gunnison Beach included — do not have lifeguards on duty.
Top underrated beaches in the US in 2025
- Vereen Memorial Park, South Carolina
- Driftwood Beach, South Carolina
- Gunnison Beach, New Jersey
- Morris Island, South Carolina
- Torrey Pines City Beach, California
- Caswell Beach, North Carolina
- Dana Strands Beach, California
- Pirates Cove Beach, California
- Station 22, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina
- Edisto Beach State Park Campground, South Carolina
Amid a wave of high-profile drownings as a result of coastal rip currents, experts advise beachgoers to monitor weather and wave conditions closely.
Kaitlin Krause, founder of the NYC-based water safety nonprofit Rising Tide Effect, previously told The Post that “untrained rescuers often become victims themselves,” and advised onlookers to call 911 immediately, and “if you must assist, throw something that floats, like a life ring, buoy or cooler.”
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