2 Long Island Beaches Named As Beautiful As 'Caribbean Paradise'

LONG ISLAND, NY — They're on to a secret every local knows: There are spots in Long Island that are nothing short of a Caribbean paradise, especially in the sun-kissed summer months.

According to a post on Only In Your State, an Instagram follower tagged them in a post and said "New York's nickname should be changed to the "Hidden Gem" state . . . nature is boundless here!"

With so much to see and savor in New York, why plan an expensive getaway? Only In Your State asks.

"All throughout the Empire State, you can find little pieces of paradise that will make you feel like you've been transported down to the Caribbean," the post says.

Two spots in the stunning Hamptons made the list of Top 7 — Cooper's Beach in Southampton and Cupsogue Beach County Park in Westhampton Beach.

"Known for being one of the best beaches out on Long Island, Coopers Beach in Southampton will make you feel like you've traveled to another oceanic planet," the post said. "There are tons of oceanfront places out on Long Island that will make you feel like you're worlds away from it all, but the water and pristine sand here at Coopers Beach isn't comparable to anything else in this area."

Sitting on the gorgeous beach, there are historic, grand mansions just a stone's throw away and expansive, breathtaking views of the ocean, the post said.

Coopers Beach has long been dubbed one of the best beaches in the entire nation, if not the world.

Coopers Beach was named one of America's Top 10 Beaches for 2017 by Dr. Beach, an honor it's received numerous times.

Coastal expert Stephen "Dr. Beach" Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University, creates the list every year using 50 criteria, which include water, sand quality, safety and management.

"We are honored to be recognized as the one of the Top 10 beaches in America again this year. There are many beautiful beaches across this country and it is a source of pride to make the list. Plus, I agree with him, Coopers Beach is the best," said former Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley in 2017

Cupsogue got rave reviews, too.

"A place that will truly take you away from it all, you'll have to pinch yourself once you arrive at Cupsogue Beach County Park just to make sure that this place is actually real," the Only In Your State post said.

With a nearly 300-acre barrier beach, supervised swimming, and breathtaking walks on white sand, it's a veritable coastal paradise, the post said — and residents couldn't agree more.

Patch file photo.