Good replies, all....
Let me chime in for the chunkers....
, don't forget that. Again, bigger fish in deep water, chunking can be the way to go, especially a beginner.
As Saltheart and others said, you wanna be safe, and chunking is a relatively safe way to fish until you know the area and the topography.
Also, do what they said and scout the beaches/areas in daylight. One of the things that at times limits me trying new spots, is that I usually fish starting at about 3-4-5 am....Depending on the time of year....I try to hit about 1 1/2-2 hours of darkness, sunrise, and maybe an hour or so with the sun over the horizon.
So if it's dark, many times I will shy away from trying a new area, cause I don't know what I am in for as far as parking, access, walking, hazards in the area, etc., and I really don't want to deal with any suprises at 4 am that cause me waste that time not fishing or to get hurt.
So, I would say if you can only go to a new spot at night for the first time, be with someone that knows the area. Otherwise, try to get there during the day, know the particulars, and try to fish it once or twice going into dusk. This gives you some daylight to know the area, but also allows you to fish into darkness.
Or know the access/parking particulars, and go at false dawn.....still a good fishing time, but light enough that you can mostly see what you are doing.
Then once, you have done that, go for the nighttime, the wading, the eeling, the plugging, etc. You'll feel more secure.
Have fun....catch fish....
, oh, and Welcome!