We were there in early March and it was only surfers in the water. It is a huge beach, so you will find a space for swimming. The other side is much prettier though

I agree! Turtle Cove was the best place. People were very respectful of them and just admired them, which is the way it should be. "Take only photographs, leave only footprints." I read this quote a long time ago, and it is my travel mantra!

You haven't let me know where you are coming from, but since most people stay in the Grace Bay area, I will give you directions from there! Take Leeward Highway eastbound, and turn right on Long Bay Highway. After a few minutes drive, you will come to Curlew Drive. Turn left. After a few minutes, you will come to Long Bay road. Turn right, and you will see various places where you can see the beach, with parking on the side of the road. There is no formal parking space or lot, just wherever. Please note that this is not a swimming beach, but it is a really great place to see the kite surfers in action. Enjoy!

I would not advise swimming at Long Beach. The beach is windswept and the water is rough, not to mention the kite surfers travelling at a high rate of speed. It is not a beach-goer's beach. The only kids that were there had hard bottomed water shoes on and played in the sand while their parents wind surfed. The Long Bay area is ruggedly beautiful but it will be better for you to go into Grace Bay, Taylor Bay or Sapodilla Bay for your beach days. We enjoyed all 3! Grace Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is not to be missed, but Taylor Bay and Sapodilla Bay are shallow, calm, much less populated and stunning in their own right. Bring a beach blanket and a sun umbrella, as there is no shade. Most airlines will let you bring the sun umbrella onboard as free-of-charge cabin luggage or you can purchase one at one of the local beach shops for about $40 USD. Enjoy your vacation! :)

I'm sorry that no one has answered your question! If you have already travelled, I hope you enjoyed yourself. If you have not, then I hope I can be of assistance! Long Bay Beach is not for swimming or beach days. It is ruggedly beautiful, but in a windswept and a powerful force of nature kind of way. The kite surfers travel far too fast and the water is far to rough to swim here. More enjoyable places would be Grace Bay, Sapodilla Bay or Taylor Bay. We enjoyed our time at all 3, but bring a beach blanket and sun umbrella, as there is no shade. Sun umbrellas are available for purchase at many stores in the area for about $40 USD, or most airlines will let you bring one on free of charge as cabin baggage. Enjoy!