It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east, by Sheepshead Bay on the north, and Brighton Beach to the west.

Manhattan Beach is part of Brooklyn Community District 15, and its primary ZIP Code is 11235.

[3] The Coney Island Jockey Club horse racing track opened nearby at the same time as Corbin's Oriental Hotel; together, these three establishments drew thousands of visitors to Manhattan Beach.

[3] The hotels held daily concerts led by famous conductors such as Conterno, Gilmore, and John Philip Sousa, and hosted elaborate nightly fireworks displays, drawing tens of thousands of visitors on summer nights and making Manhattan Beach a renowned summer seaside resort.

[7][8][9] The U.S. Coast Guard operated a training station at Manhattan Beach during World War II.

[23] Manhattan Beach is served by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY)'s Engine Co. 246/Ladder Co. 169, located at 2732 East 11th Street.

[24][25] Kingsborough Community College, which is the part of the City University of New York, occupies the entire eastern tip of Manhattan Beach.

The Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences is located on the campus of Kingsborough Community College.

After Austin Corbin's death the policy was canceled and the neighborhood attracted a large number of Jewish residents.