Far and Wide, South Shore Beaches Are Favorite

On Monday we asked people what makes the perfect beach and many people answered. Summer is in full tilt and many on Long Island spend the days happily lazing around on the soft sand and in the surf. So what's the favorite beaches for locals?

"Democrat Point, hands down," said Danielle Leacock on Facebook.

Overlook Beach also got plenty of votes.

Lori Denner Mannino said Atlantique.

"Beautiful and not crowded," she said.

Patrick James Donaldson took the opportunity to match politics and beach-going.

"I'll take any ocean beach, but if I had to choose I would choose a time, not a place," Donaldson wrote on Facebook. "I would choose a time before the USA became a police state. Any time before 1980 would do."

Sore Thumb on Fire Island got a few mentions as did Hilther Hills in Montauk.

Edward Hagenbruch voted for both.

"Gilgo," said Kara J. Fiorello. "Sun. Surf. Laid back crowd."

Cedar Beach in got a lot of mentions as well.

Claire Huber voted for it.

"No place like Babylon Town beaches," Huber said. "Coming from me in Rhode Island. Can't wait to come back home for a visit."

"I love the whole Suffolk South Shore coastline," said Melody Tracy. "But I have to say Demo(cratic) and then Sore Thumb! Cedar Beach after 5 for the music at Beach Hut! I love L.I.!"

Cecelia Giresi Rocco loves Cedar Beach.

"Especially its live music at the hut and Robert Moses (Field) 5 because it has the boardwalk to the lighthouse," Rocco said. "That is such a nice place to walk almost any time of year."

Mary Ann Rodgers also likes Robert Moses.

"Ten minutes way from our house," she said, adding that it is "calm, beautiful and rivals any beach anywhere."

Of course some people think out of the box, or, the state.

"Sanibel Island, Florida," said Dave Favreau. "You didn't say it had to be on Long Island!!

Denise Ryan Fussell lives is in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico now but still pines for the beaches up north.

"I will always love the beaches on Long Island where I grew up," said Fussell. "The Sore Thumb and Cedar Beach are my favorites!"

What do you think? Tell us your perfect beach and why you think so.