I've been to all of these (Lighthouse, Gunnison, Haulover) when I lived back east. All good but I drove to the 2 up north.
I've looked at the ferry. It would be great if you are in NYC. They have a shuttle bus going the short way (2 miles boat -beach)
traffic can be horrendus if you drive and parking lot for Gunnison can fill by 9am on busy weekends. Then you walk further. Entire
Sandy Hook park can fill up and close from 10:30 to 2pm.

Lighthouse on Long Island fills less often but also has traffic issues on Long Island highways. Very nice 2 sections with a clothing
required area between the two in front of the lighthouse. Have not been there in 20 years. unsure of status. I'm reading here there
may be hassles.

Haulover beach in N Miami Beach (actually Sunny Isles FL) has a paid parking lot with reasonable fee and tunnel under Collins Ave right to
Haulover. It too can fill mid to late morning. A mixed crowd of suited & unsuited visitors. Had a very good time on first 2 visits. Very large beach
Third time I had an unrelated medical problem and had to cut trip short. 3rd trip saw use mostly by guys. If you can tolerate cheap motels (eg Motel 6) check out the Ocean Palm motel -a cheaper art deco 2 story motel 1 block walk away along the beachfront in Sunny Isles. It is 1940's, 2 stories
and somewhat run down though with a decent pool. 3 huge Trump tower apartments were built just to the north. One is full, 2nd is half full and 3rd
which is nearest was boarded up new and never opened.

I'd probably choose Gunnison . (haulover in fall/spring). Status of Lighthouse needs to be checked. Out of way unless you stay near JFK airport
or out Long Island a ways.

Back to Deep Creek HS. I got to visit it in next 6 months now that I live nearTahoe.