I’ve surfed a lot of that area. Less foiling. It depends on the season. Summer is crowded with surfers and swimmers and no chance you can foil the rockaways. Long Beach/Lido Beach is a little more spread out but still probably not happening in the summer. Off season (when the waves are better anyways) the beach clears out and I’m sure you can make it work if you get away from the “surf spots”. Farther out on Long Island spreads out more. I don’t know NJ as well but I’d expect the seasonality applies in most places. The Greenhat crew will know NJ.
I’ve always wanted to get to Democrat Point to foil. Looks like a perfect wave but harder to get to.
Robert Moses Park usually doesn’t have great surf waves but could work for foiling.
Gilgo Beach is also a spot that would definitely work. I’ve foiled and kited there and it’s not an issue.
Hit up @Bido11561 he might be able to steer you in a decent direction for prone spots up there. If you want in the NJ whatsapp pm me your number and I’ll throw you in there. Depending where you are in Manhattan the ferry to Jersey might make more sense
PS couple Green Hat events coming up, a swap meet at the shop which might be a little bit of a hike for you, then Wind And Waves which is a bigger event, place to meet some guys around here
You can foil Rockaway outside of lifeguard hours I’d imagine. Will obviously be more crowded in summer but you can find some space out there. Avoid low tide. Same for Long Beach in the summer.