The New York beach experience typically boils down to freakatoriums, bad rock concerts, and noxious cocktails served in luminous plastic cups. Yet another, better world exists at- of all places-the far tip of the Rockaways, where a few miles of clean, tightly packed, all-but-deserted sand hide behind trees, bushes, and grassy dunes.

Fort Tilden State Park feels like the city’s best-kept secret-an unspoiled island oasis, tantalizingly close to Manhattan. Even on a weekend at the height of summer, you’ll get a 50-yard stretch of beach to yourself. On weekdays, it’s practically all yours. On a busy day, you might see several families (mostly Russian) picnicking and grilling.

How can this be? Simple: Fort Tilden is so difficult to access that only the most intrepid Robinson Crusoe types dare venture there.

The nearest subway stop is at the 116th Street terminus of the A train, beyond reasonable walking distance. If you have a car, drive toward the southernmost tip of the Rockaways and park in the nearby lot. But in order to do that, you’ll need to watch a video on marine life to obtain a fishing license and the corresponding parking permit from the Fort Tilden Visitors Center.

Bermuda’s south-shore beaches are more scenic than those on the north side — fine, pinkish sand; coral bluffs topped with summer flowers; gentle, pale-blue surf slipping past the barrier reefs offshore. The water at south-shore beaches does get a little rougher when the winds are from the south and southwest, but waves continuously roll in and break on this sandy shoreline even when breezes are gentle. You can join locals in the popular pastime of body surfing, or pick up a body board for as little as $20 from many shops in town. Most Bermudian beaches are relatively small compared with ocean beaches in the United States, ranging from about 15 yards to half a mile or so in length.

The Public Transportation Board publishes “Bermuda’s Guide to Beaches and Transportation,” available free in all visitor centers and most hotels. A combination map and bus and ferry schedule, the guide shows locations of beaches and how to reach them.

Few Bermudian beaches offer shade, but some have palm trees and thatched shelters. The sun can be intense, so bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen. You can rent umbrellas at some beaches, but food and drink are rare, so pack snacks and lots of water.

This Montauk Beach House is located on a hillside, with splendid views of the Atlantic Ocean from its decks. It is close by Hither Hills State Park where those who are interested in native island animal and vegetation habitat are offered a unique opportunity to explore this nature area.

Montauk offers world-class fishing for shark, tuna, bass, and bluefish. Enjoy passenger ferries to Block Island, Mystic Seaport, and Shelter Island. Horseback riding at Deep Hollow Ranch offers miles of trail to enjoy and bikers have miles of paths to explore.