Long Island South Shore Beaches: Almandine Garnet & Quartz Rockhounding in Suffolk County, New York
Updated August 2026
Storm waves concentrate almandine garnet into purple sand streaks along Long Island's south shore barrier beaches, a display that resets with every blow. Between the garnet bands the swash line carries white quartz and occasional jasper pebbles, and the whole shoreline from Fire Island to the Hamptons collects the same way. Reported finds include almandine garnet, quartz, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Long Island South Shore Beaches photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Long Island South Shore Beaches in Suffolk County, New York
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Suffolk County
- State
- New York
- Nearest road
- William Floyd Parkway
- Postcode
- 11967
- Coordinates
- 40.73410, -72.86155
Geology at Long Island South Shore Beaches
This spot sits on Monmouth Group, Matawan Group and Magothy Formation, mapped as clay, sand, and gravel that formed roughly 100 to 66 million years ago. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.
- Mapped unit
- Monmouth Group, Matawan Group and Magothy Formation
- Age
- 100–66 Ma (Late Cretaceous)
- Rock types
- clay, sand, and gravel
- Elevation
- 10 ft
Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.
Best time to visit Long Island South Shore Beaches
Best months: March to December. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SHIRLEY BROOKHAVEN AP station (6 mi away).
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.
Found at Long Island South Shore Beaches
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Long Island South Shore Beaches.
- Tilly Foster Iron MinePutnam County, New York · 62 mi awayMagnetite, Brucite, Chondrodite
- PeeksillWestchester County, New York · 66 mi awaySunstone
- Pine PondPutnam County, New York · 67 mi awayArsenopyrite, Asbestos, Leucopyrite
- Area Near West PointOrange County, New York · 71 mi awayChrysotile Asbestos
- Cornwall (Wallkill River)Orange County, New York · 76 mi awayBloodstone, Jasper
- CraigsvilleOrange County, New York · 84 mi awayBloodstone
- Mines (Orange County)Orange County, New York · 90 mi awayArsenopyrite, Leucopyrite, Scorodite
- AmityTop pick in New YorkOrange County, New York · 91 mi awayBlue Corundum, White Corundum, Fluorite
Across the state line from Long Island South Shore Beaches
Long Island South Shore Beaches is close enough to the New York border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- Cinque QuarrySouth Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 39 mi awayAmethyst, Smoky Quartz
- Guilford & East HavenTop pick in ConnecticutSouth Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 40 mi awayAgate
- Lamberts MineSouth Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 40 mi awayChalcopyrite
- Pine Rock QuarrySouth Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 42 mi awayPrehnite, Calcite, Serpentine
- New Haven Traprock QuarrySouth Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 42 mi awayAmethyst
- Long Hill MineGreater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut · 43 mi awayCalcite, Fluorite, Pyrite Cubes
Long Island South Shore Beaches FAQ
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More rockhounding in New York
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