Water Safety in New York

New York is the Amin Foundation's home state, and our most detailed local guides are here. Statewide, the safest habits are to swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty, wear a life jacket on every boat, and take the state's safe boating course before you drive a motorboat, as Brianna's Law requires. Families can also find free swim lessons for children through New York's NY SWIMS initiative.

New York drowning and boating numbers

0.74 per 100,000

• Drowning: CDC puts New York's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 0.74 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), the lowest of any state. In a state of New York's size, that still means many lives lost each year.
• Boating: The U.S. Coast Guard counted 110 reportable recreational boating incidents in New York in 2024, with 8 deaths and 57 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 28 in 2020, 17 in 2021, 24 in 2022, 18 in 2023 and 8 in 2024.
• Boats: 428,445 registered vessels in 2024.
• Shoreline: NOAA lists 2,625 miles of official shoreline (opens in a new tab) for New York.

CDC counts drowning deaths of residents; the Coast Guard counts boating incidents. See our New York data page.

New York City

We keep separate, detailed guides for the five boroughs:

• NYC beach safety: Rockaway, Coney Island, Orchard Beach and more.
• Free swim lessons in NYC: NYC Parks, school programs and more.
• Flash flood safety: basement apartments and flooded streets.

Ocean beaches on Long Island and in Gateway

At Fire Island National Seashore, the National Park Service says lifeguards are typically on duty daily from July Fourth to Labor Day at Sailors Haven and Watch Hill (opens in a new tab), and on weekends at Talisman/Barrett Beach. Some Fire Island communities have their own guarded beaches. Lifeguards watch for rip currents, lateral currents, storm surf and undertow, so the park strongly recommends always swimming at a guarded beach. Swimming is not allowed in fishing areas, marinas or near boat traffic.

At Gateway National Recreation Area, the Park Service says to swim only at lifeguard-protected beaches during lifeguard hours (opens in a new tab), 10 am to 6 pm at protected beaches, and adds: if you cannot swim, don't go into the water. Never turn your back on the ocean. Learn the steps in how to escape a rip current.

Great Lakes beaches

Western and northern New York face Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The National Weather Service warns that most Great Lakes beaches are unguarded, and to swim at least 100 yards away (opens in a new tab) from piers and breakwalls, where strong currents form. Whitewater means waves of at least 3 feet and possible dangerous currents.

Boating: Brianna's Law and life jackets

New York State Parks says Brianna's Law requires all operators of motorized vessels (opens in a new tab), including personal watercraft and specialty craft, to complete a state-approved safe boating course. Our guide to boating safety courses in New York explains how to take one.

The Park Service at Fire Island notes that children ages 12 and under are required by law to wear a PFD while boating (opens in a new tab), and recommends that children wear one on docks and along the water too. This is a summary, not legal advice.

Free swim lessons: NY SWIMS

The YMCA of Greater New York says that thanks to funding provided through Governor Kathy Hochul's NY SWIMS Initiative and the New York State Department of Health (opens in a new tab), it offers free swim lessons to help more children gain water safety and swimming skills. The program is meant for children who may otherwise face barriers to lessons, and the Y partners with NYC schools, programs and nonprofits to provide them. To find out about partners in your community, contact the aquatics director at your local Y branch.

Outside the city, use our swim lesson finder guide to look for programs near you.

What you can do today

• Check lifeguard days and hours before a beach trip, and swim only at a guarded beach.
• Take a state-approved safe boating course if you drive any motorized boat.
• Put a life jacket on every child 12 and under in a boat.
• Ask your local Y about free NY SWIMS lessons for your child.
• In NYC, read our NYC beach safety guide before your next beach day.