By The Agency Hamptons
From the iconic shores of East Hampton Village to the surf at Ditch Plains in Montauk, the eastern Hamptons offers some of the most sought-after beach access anywhere on the East Coast. But navigating the permit systems across East Hampton Village, East Hampton Town, Amagansett, Springs, and Montauk takes some planning — pass types, costs, and rules vary significantly by location. Here's what you need to know before the season starts.
Key Takeaways
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East Hampton Village and East Hampton Town operate under entirely separate permit systems
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East Hampton Village non-resident full-season permits are limited to 3,100 and sell out — purchase as early as possible
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Amagansett, Springs, and Montauk all fall under the Town of East Hampton permit system
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Several Springs beaches prohibit swimming entirely regardless of conditions
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No vehicles are permitted on any East Hampton Town beach between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM from the Thursday before Memorial Day through September 15
East Hampton Village Beaches
East Hampton Village is home to some of the most sought-after stretches of sand in the Hamptons — Main Beach, Georgica Beach, and Two Mile Hollow among them — and access requires a valid Village beach parking permit during the season, which runs from May 15 through September 15.
Full-season non-resident permits are available online and cost $750. Only 3,100 of these permits are issued to non-residents each season, and they tend to move quickly after they go on sale in early February. Each permit is issued to one person and one vehicle only and is non-transferable.
Full-season non-resident permits are available online and cost $750. Only 3,100 of these permits are issued to non-residents each season, and they tend to move quickly after they go on sale in early February. Each permit is issued to one person and one vehicle only and is non-transferable.
East Hampton Village permit options at a glance:
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Full-season non-resident permit: $750 plus credit card fee; limited to 3,100 passes
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Monthly non-resident permit: $250 for May 15–June 30; $300 for July; $300 for August–September 15; limited to 500 per month; digital and plate-linked
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Daily parking: $50 per day via the ParkMobile App at Main Beach Lot 2 and Two Mile Hollow Beach
Beaches requiring a valid East Hampton Village permit:
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Main Beach
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Georgica Beach
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Wiborg Beach
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Egypt Beach
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Two Mile Hollow Beach
Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Georgica Beach, Main Beach, and Two Mile Hollow Beach, all of which have bathrooms on site.
East Hampton Town Beaches
East Hampton Town beaches operate under a separate permit system from the Village. Permits are issued through the Town Clerk's office on Pantigo Road, the annex at the Montauk Playhouse, or by mail with proper documentation. For questions, call (631) 324-4142.
The Town of East Hampton permit covers beaches across Amagansett, Springs, and Montauk. A separate beach drive-on pass is required for vehicular access in designated areas at any Town beach. The town-wide restriction applies everywhere: no vehicles are permitted on the beach between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM from the Thursday before Memorial Day through September 15.
The Town of East Hampton permit covers beaches across Amagansett, Springs, and Montauk. A separate beach drive-on pass is required for vehicular access in designated areas at any Town beach. The town-wide restriction applies everywhere: no vehicles are permitted on the beach between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM from the Thursday before Memorial Day through September 15.
Amagansett Beaches
Amagansett offers some of the most varied beach options in the East Hampton Town system, from fully staffed ocean beaches to quiet, unguarded bay landings.
Atlantic Avenue Beach has lifeguards on duty from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM — weekends from Memorial Day through mid-June, daily from mid-June through Labor Day, then weekends only for two weeks after Labor Day. A Town of East Hampton parking permit is required. Daily paid parking is available on weekdays for $50 per vehicle; this option is not available on weekends or holidays. A beach drive-on pass is required for vehicular access in designated areas.
Indian Wells Beach follows the same lifeguard schedule, with guards on duty 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A resident Town of East Hampton parking permit is required here specifically, along with a drive-on pass for vehicular access.
Big Albert's Landing Beach is also lifeguarded, with guards on duty from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the same seasonal schedule. A Town of East Hampton parking permit and drive-on pass are required.
The following Amagansett beaches have no lifeguard coverage — swim at your own risk. All require a Town of East Hampton parking permit and a drive-on pass for vehicular access in designated areas: Barns Hole, Fresh Pond, Lazy Point, Little Albert's Landing Beach, and Napeague Lane Beach. Note that at Napeague Lane, no vehicles are permitted beyond the eastern boundary of the road at any time.
Atlantic Avenue Beach has lifeguards on duty from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM — weekends from Memorial Day through mid-June, daily from mid-June through Labor Day, then weekends only for two weeks after Labor Day. A Town of East Hampton parking permit is required. Daily paid parking is available on weekdays for $50 per vehicle; this option is not available on weekends or holidays. A beach drive-on pass is required for vehicular access in designated areas.
Indian Wells Beach follows the same lifeguard schedule, with guards on duty 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A resident Town of East Hampton parking permit is required here specifically, along with a drive-on pass for vehicular access.
Big Albert's Landing Beach is also lifeguarded, with guards on duty from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the same seasonal schedule. A Town of East Hampton parking permit and drive-on pass are required.
The following Amagansett beaches have no lifeguard coverage — swim at your own risk. All require a Town of East Hampton parking permit and a drive-on pass for vehicular access in designated areas: Barns Hole, Fresh Pond, Lazy Point, Little Albert's Landing Beach, and Napeague Lane Beach. Note that at Napeague Lane, no vehicles are permitted beyond the eastern boundary of the road at any time.
Springs Beaches
Springs beaches are bay-facing, and swimming is prohibited at three of the four locations — not simply unguarded. The exception is Maidstone Park Beach, a lifeguarded bay beach where swimming is permitted from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM when lifeguards are on duty and within designated areas only. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, with restrooms available from mid-May through mid-October. A Town of East Hampton parking permit and drive-on pass are required.
At the remaining three Springs beaches — Flaggy Hole Beach, Gerard Drive Park Beach, and Louse Point Beach — swimming is explicitly prohibited. All require a Town of East Hampton parking permit and a drive-on pass for vehicular access in designated areas.
At the remaining three Springs beaches — Flaggy Hole Beach, Gerard Drive Park Beach, and Louse Point Beach — swimming is explicitly prohibited. All require a Town of East Hampton parking permit and a drive-on pass for vehicular access in designated areas.
Montauk Beaches
Montauk offers the widest range of beach experiences in the East Hampton Town system — from the iconic surf at Ditch Plains to calm bay access and year-round parks.
The following beaches have lifeguard coverage from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the standard seasonal schedule: weekends from Memorial Day through mid-June, daily from mid-June through Labor Day, and weekends only for two weeks after Labor Day. Swimming is permitted only when lifeguards are on duty and within designated areas. All require a Town of East Hampton parking permit and a drive-on pass for vehicular access in designated areas: Ditch Plains Beach, East Lake Beach (Gin Beach), South Edison Beach, and Kirk Park Beach.
Several Montauk locations are open year-round from sunrise to sunset with no lifeguard coverage. Culloden Point, Fort Pond Bay, Hither Woods, and South Lake Beach are all swim-at-your-own-risk locations with no vehicular beach access. West Lake Drive is open year-round but swimming is prohibited there entirely.
The following beaches have lifeguard coverage from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the standard seasonal schedule: weekends from Memorial Day through mid-June, daily from mid-June through Labor Day, and weekends only for two weeks after Labor Day. Swimming is permitted only when lifeguards are on duty and within designated areas. All require a Town of East Hampton parking permit and a drive-on pass for vehicular access in designated areas: Ditch Plains Beach, East Lake Beach (Gin Beach), South Edison Beach, and Kirk Park Beach.
Several Montauk locations are open year-round from sunrise to sunset with no lifeguard coverage. Culloden Point, Fort Pond Bay, Hither Woods, and South Lake Beach are all swim-at-your-own-risk locations with no vehicular beach access. West Lake Drive is open year-round but swimming is prohibited there entirely.
FAQs
Do East Hampton Village and East Hampton Town permits work interchangeably?
No — they are completely separate systems. An East Hampton Village permit grants access only to Village beaches like Main Beach and Georgica Beach. A Town of East Hampton permit covers town beaches across Amagansett, Springs, and Montauk. You may need both if you plan to visit beaches in both systems.
Which beaches in this area are best for families wanting lifeguard coverage?
In East Hampton Village, Georgica Beach, Main Beach, and Two Mile Hollow Beach are all lifeguarded. In Amagansett, Atlantic Avenue Beach, Indian Wells Beach, and Big Albert's Landing Beach have full seasonal coverage. In Montauk, Ditch Plains, Gin Beach, South Edison Beach, and Kirk Park Beach are all lifeguarded. Maidstone Park Beach in Springs is the only lifeguarded bay beach in these areas.
How early do we need to secure an East Hampton Village non-resident permit?
As early as possible. Full-season non-resident permits go on sale in early February and are capped at 3,100 — they sell out. Monthly permits go on sale May 1 at 9:00 AM and are limited to 500 per month. If you wait until summer, you may find both options unavailable.
Contact The Agency Hamptons Today
From East Hampton Village to the far reaches of Montauk, the eastern Hamptons offers some of the most remarkable beach access anywhere on the East Coast — and the right home puts you right in the middle of it.
Reach out to us at The Agency Hamptons to start the conversation. We have deep local expertise across East Hampton, Amagansett, Montauk, and the surrounding areas, and we'd love to help you find a home that makes every Hamptons summer exactly what it should be.
Reach out to us at The Agency Hamptons to start the conversation. We have deep local expertise across East Hampton, Amagansett, Montauk, and the surrounding areas, and we'd love to help you find a home that makes every Hamptons summer exactly what it should be.
