Southampton beachgoers enjoy summerlike weather with high heat, humidity

Southampton beachgoers enjoyed an early taste of summerlike weather Thursday as temperatures soared over Long Island.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Thursday, as the heat index hit nearly 100 degrees, with a similar outlook for Friday, as temperatures combine with humidity.

In a typical summer, over 100,000 tourists visit Southampton for its beaches and seasonal activities, Southampton town said on its website.

Jean Tsiros, 53, has lived in the town for 35 years and came down to Coopers Beach to take in the views, saying it is “absolutely breathtaking.”

“It’s starting to get nice now. It’s been a late arrival,” Tsiros said.

Tsiros said her favorite Southampton beach memories include “coming early in the morning, very early, and watching the different lighting and colors.”

Julien Korn, 45, lives in Florida during the year but is spending this summer in Southampton playing professional tennis. He said Southampton’s Road D Beach trumps Florida beaches because it is “less crowded, bigger, more space, cleaner. The access is easy if you know where to park.”

While many Southampton beaches are open to the public, most parking lots requires a resident parking pass. The Town of Southampton recommends tourists get dropped off or ride bikes.

Lisa Pazcik lives in Westbury but comes out to Southampton throughout the year for “the sand, the water, the beauty of it all.”

Pazcik said she is looking forward to “long, beautiful beach days and sunsets” this summer and that she is particularly excited for quiet beach evenings.

“I love the beach at the end of the day when everybody leaves and it’s just quiet and you hear the waves and the sun is still out and it’s just beautiful. It’s perfect,” Pazcik said.

Anastasia Mezyniesci, 19, grew up on the North Fork but recently moved to Southampton. She said the warm weather streak made her excited to spend beach days tanning with her friends and sitting by the water with her parents.

“I think it’s amazing. It just shows how nice this summer is going to be and that we’re going to have really great weekends,” Mezyniesci said.

Coopers Beach topped a 2025 list of best beaches nationwide, in part due to its safety and peaceful environment.

George Matta, 71, the new manager of the cafe at Coopers, said he is ready for the warm weather after a “brutal winter.”

“We’re super excited, actually,” Matta said. “We’re getting ready to have a really busy weekend. I think everyone has been amped up. People have been inside, cold winter, terrible spring, and they’re just ready to come out."