Coopers Beach

“En plein air” is a French expression used to describe the act of painting outdoors in natural light, a technique that became popular during the Impressionism era. When painting instructor Cynthia Knott of the Parrish Museum in Southampton began teaching her outdoor summer workshops, she couldn’t think of a better location than Coopers Beach. “It’s the perfect beach,” she said, motioning towards the pristine sand, grassy dunes, and clear water. “It’s our favorite beach. It’s everybody’s favorite beach.”

Knott’s words rang true with locals and tourists alike, whether they were relaxing under umbrellas in the sand, getting ready to hit the waves, or enjoying lunch at Serenity, the beach’s casual eatery, under new ownership by Rory Birdie Williams and Nia Gandy. “We try to cut back on fried food,” Williams said. “We provide other options, like healthy wraps.” One tasty example is the Meadow Lane, a whole-wheat wrap with grilled tuna, avocado, lettuce and tomato.

Every Friday and Saturday Serenity hosts a lobster bake from 4-8pm, when you can enjoy a whole lobster plus corn on the cob or a baked potato and a mesclun green salad or seafood chowder for $26.50 per person, with special prices for seniors and children on Saturday family nights. Other items on the menu include soft shell crab, breakfast omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, and desserts such as brownies, cinnamon rolls and ice cream. On special summer evenings you can catch live concerts, with performers such as the reggae group Project Vibe.

Coopers Beach is a quiet spot on weekdays, but come early on weekends or you might be out of luck. On Saturdays the grassy field across the street is often used as an overflow lot, and day passes are no longer sold in order to guarantee season pass holders a spot.

The distance from the parking lot to the water isn’t short, but a mobi-mat has been installed to provide a firm path to walk on. Beach chairs can be rented for $10 and umbrellas for $5. They will be carried down, set up, and brought back for you by the helpful staff. Surfing and body boarding are allowed outside of swim areas, fishing is not.

Coopers Beach is the only public beach in the Village of Southampton, so it is a popular spot for day-trippers from all over according to beach manager Caitlin Lemanski. This well-kept, family-oriented beach is regularly ranked as one of the top 5 beaches in the country by “Dr. Beach” Stephen Leatherman, and with good reason. In 2010 the beach was named #1 in the nation.

 --Nina Marie Ruggiero