The Rockaways form a long barrier island off the southern shore of Queens, home to NYC's best ocean beaches. The boardwalk connecting Riis Park through Belle Harbor was devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and has been rebuilt. The western Rockaway communities have a distinct beach-town identity, with a surfer culture alongside working-class residential blocks.
Key landmarks: Rockaway Beach Boardwalk · Jacob Riis Park · Fort Tilden · Rockaway Beach (A train terminus) · Gateway National Recreation Area