Summary
With a coastline stretching nearly 130 miles, New Jersey is renowned for its sandy beaches, providing an ideal seaside retreat for countless visitors. Whether you seek a tranquil beach or one filled with family-friendly activities, New Jersey boasts hundreds of beaches, each offering its distinct ambiance and environment.
Here is an overview of the premier beaches in New Jersey:
1. Asbury Park Beach
Stretching a mile along the shore, Asbury Park Beach is known for its bustling boardwalk and its association with iconic musician Bruce Springsteen, who reflects on this charming coastal town in his Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. album.
The beach offers a multitude of activities, including sunbathing, swimming, and fishing. During the months of October to May, Asbury Park Beach welcomes pets, allowing visitors to bring their dogs. On other occasions, you can take your dogs to Eighth Avenue Dog Beach.
Asbury Park’s celebrated boardwalk suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy yet has since revitalized, now showcasing a lively music culture along with ample shopping and dining venues. For delightful French comfort food and expertly crafted cocktails, consider dining at Pascal & Sabine.
2. Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant is celebrated for its clear waters and numerous attractions, including the nearby Jenkinson’s Aquarium and Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, which features arcade games, ice cream parlors, and refreshments.
The beach similarly provides ample recreational opportunities, such as swimming, sunbathing, and surfing, and is distinguished by a line of tropical palm trees.
For refreshing beverages and cocktails on the shore, visit Martell’s Tiki Bar or Jenk’s. Visitors can utilize amenities such as restrooms and showers, with lifeguards overseeing the area.
Alternatively, explore the adjacent Bradshaw Beach, which is accessible to the public; however, be advised that the boardwalk is private property and requires daily, weekly, or seasonal badges for entry.
3. Long Beach Island
Commonly referred to as LBI, Long Beach Island ranks among the most favored beach destinations in New Jersey, offering 18 miles of sandy shoreline. Situated just under two hours from New York City by bus or car, it harbors several beach communities such as Ship Bottom, Harvey Cedars, Surf City, and Beach Haven.
Attractions like Fantasy Island Amusement Park and Barnegat Lighthouse State Park draw in both tourists and local residents.
4. Spring Lake Beach
Located a short distance from Sea Girt, Spring Lake Beach features a pristine 2-mile stretch of sand and boasts one of the longest boardwalks in New Jersey. Fortunately, parking is complimentary; however, it is advisable to arrive early due to limited availability. Unfortunately, there is an entrance fee of $8 to access the beach.
The afternoon is an excellent time to explore the charming town of Spring Lake, which was once a favored vacation spot for New York’s affluent families in the 19th century. Today, Spring Lake features an array of fine dining establishments, ice cream shops, and local candy stores.
It is important to note that food, alcohol, and coolers are not permitted on Spring Lake Beach.
5. Cape May
One of the most picturesque coastal regions in New Jersey, Cape May serves as the largest summer destination within the state, located approximately three hours from the city.
This area features numerous exceptional beaches, including Higbee Beach, Steger Beach, and Poverty Beach. Popular activities here encompass kayaking, boating, windsurfing, and surfing. Visitors can enjoy beach volleyball, dine at nearby waterfront restaurants, or indulge in bird watching.
All beaches in Cape May remain accessible throughout the year; however, guests are required to possess an admission tag during the summer months. Cape May is also a central hub for Fourth of July festivities.
6. Belmar Beach
Belmar Beach features a coastline spanning 1.3 miles, comprising several interconnected beaches. One of its primary advantages is the wide range of amenities and facilities provided for visitors. For instance, every block contains a cell phone charging station, while water bottle filling stations are conveniently located throughout the playground, and all beaches are cleaned daily.
Various beach areas offer water activities, including surfing, kayaking, and boarding. Alongside these recreational offerings, the renowned Belmar Boardwalk, which sustained significant damage from Hurricane Sandy, was completely renovated in 2013.
7. Ocean Grove Beach
If you are in search of tranquility and serenity, Ocean Grove Beach is a great choice. While it may lack numerous food stalls and bars serving craft beers, it presents a less crowded beach featuring fine white sand along with opportunities for kite flying, sandcastle building contests, and inner tube races during the summer season.
This pet-friendly beach operates with a badge system, which mandates visitors to pay a nominal fee for entry.
The charming community of Ocean Grove lies a few blocks from the boardwalk, offering an array of dining options and renowned department stores. For delicious ice cream at the day’s end, visit the renowned Nagle’s Apothecary Café.
8. Lavallette Beach
Featuring two pristine white-sand beaches ideal for swimming and a mile-long boardwalk, Lavallette Beach benefits from daily supervision by trained lifeguards and operates on a badge system requiring guests to purchase daily, weekly, or seasonal passes in advance.
Unfortunately, pets are not permitted on the beach; however, canine visitors can enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk.
Explore the quaint town that hosts a yacht club, various shops, and an assortment of fine restaurants. Lavallette also hosts an annual truck festival in June. Parking is plentiful on the streets surrounding the area.
9. Sandy Hook Beach
One significant advantage of Sandy Hook Beach is its easy accessibility. Visitors can take the Seastreak ferry, which runs from Manhattan to this New Jersey beach in approximately 35 minutes, with a return ticket priced at only $5, including beach admission.
Upon arrival at Sandy Hook, guests can choose from four beach areas, including family-friendly E and D beaches, the nudist Gunnison Beach, or the popular North Beach.
If you plan to visit Sandy Hook on a Wednesday, be sure to attend the Summer Beach Concert starting at 6 p.m.
10. Wildwoods
Wildwoods, with its unspoiled 5-mile-long coastline, features several free beaches that are well-suited for various water activities, including boogie boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, swimming, and surfing.
The area hosts over 200 festivals annually, including Wildwood’s International Kite Festival and Monster Truck Races. For those seeking thrilling rides, venture to the Wildwood boardwalk to explore the renowned Morey’s Piers and beachfront waterparks such as Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Splash Zone Waterpark.
The boardwalk is filled with numerous entertainment venues, shops, bars, and restaurants, offering a range of diverse accommodation options. For instance, visitors can opt for a nostalgic 1960s mod motel or rent an upscale condo for the week. The tagline “As wild as you want to be” aptly summarizes the spirit of Wildwoods.
11. Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach, also recognized as Avalon Beach, is situated between the small towns of Stone Harbor and Avalon, offering a plethora of water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, surfing, and windsurfing.
Families with children will be pleased to find nine parks and playgrounds available. Only a two-hour drive from New York City, Seven Mile Beach also boasts breathtaking views of the cape from Stone Harbor Point, along with several tennis and volleyball courts.
Access to beaches in both Avalon and Stone Harbor incurs a fee of $6 for a daily ticket and $12 for a weekly ticket.
12. Avon by the Sea
Located near Asbury Park, Avon by the Sea is a favored beach destination open year-round.
Visitors intending to explore Avon by the Sea during the summer must pre-purchase a beach badge to gain daily access between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. These badges can be obtained at three different locations in Avon.
This beach area features ample free parking and restrooms for guests, and trained lifeguards are present from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Should you become hungry, there are numerous restaurants and bars along the nearby boardwalk.
13. Atlantic City Beach
The entrance to Atlantic City Beach is complimentary, and this expansive coastal area offers optimal conditions for water activities, including windsurfing, kayaking, fishing, and surfing.
Notably, the beach is most recognized for its historical boardwalk, established in 1870. The boardwalk is lined with high-end boutiques and shops, as well as a variety of restaurants and bars.
Make sure to visit the nearby Absecon Lighthouse, which ranks as the third tallest lighthouse in the United States.
14. Fisherman’s Cove
Fisherman’s Cove, part of the Monmouth County Park System, serves as a refuge for numerous bird species and wildlife and attracts joggers, boaters, birdwatchers, and anglers alike.
Adjacent to it is Dog Beach Park, where dogs can roam freely without leashes.
This 55-acre beach area serves as a perfect retreat for nature enthusiasts and adventurous travelers seeking to escape the throngs of tourists while remaining close to the ocean. The borough’s downtown district is merely a short drive away, offering various shops, restaurants, and the notable Algonquin Arts Theatre.
15. Keansburg Beach
Renowned for its spectacular views of New York City, Keansburg Beach is an isolated beach located near Middletown.
This beach remains open every day of the year, and unlike many others in the state, does not require visitors to possess a ticket or badge for entry. A fishing pier is situated on the beach, and metered parking is available nearby Bay Walks.
Additionally, public showers and restrooms are accessible in the vicinity of Keansburg Beach.
