The dazzling Atlantic Ocean borders New Jersey on the east, southeast, and south. New Jersey is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the North East, with approximately 130 miles of unspoiled coastline. We’re talking about beaches that are ideal for kite-surfing, sandcastle building, and fishing, as well as beaches that are so serene that they will erase even the most severe worries. The Garden State could easily have been dubbed the Beaches State, with 44 beaches stretching from Cape May to Sandy Hook. Locals and visitors alike go to New Jersey’s top beaches in the summer, which is unsurprising.
New Jersey, however, is more than simply sand and surf; it is an iconic coastal resort with bustling amusement parks, preserved Victorian homes, and gorgeous parks. Here’s a rundown of New Jersey’s top beaches to give you a taste of what the state have to offer.
Cape May
Cape May is noted for its colorful 19th-century architecture, coastal dining options, and stunning beaches, and it is located on the southern tip of New Jersey. Cape May, one of New Jersey’s most gorgeous seaside locations, is the region’s most popular summer vacation, yet it’s only a 3-hour trip from the city. There is a stretch of sand for everyone with roughly 2.5 miles of coastline.
Higbee Beach, Steger Beach, and Poverty Beach are just a few of the great beaches here, and some of the most popular activities include kayaking, boating, windsurfing, and surfing. On the beach, visitors can play volleyball, eat at one of the beachside restaurants, or go bird watching.
All of Cape May’s beaches are open all year, however during the summer months, visitors must acquire an entry tag. During the Fourth of July celebrations, Cape May is one of the most popular destinations in the state.
Cape May is one of the nicest beaches in New Jersey, as well as the country’s oldest seaside vacation community. The city’s gorgeous beaches are framed by over 600 preserved Victorian buildings, making a visit feel like a bright trip back in time.
Aside from traditional beach activities, Cape May has antique vineyards, an alpaca farm, a mid-nineteenth-century lighthouse, theaters, and a variety of other attractions.
Avalon
Avalon continues nearly a mile east of 7 Mile Island, bordered by lively white sand beaches. The spectacular sunrises that grace Avalon’s shores each morning are guaranteed to delight early risers. At this southern New Jersey beach, guests can surf, swim, or lounge on inflatable rafts later in the day. The community takes pride in its wheelchair-accessible beaches and surf chair programme, which gives physically challenged visitors with complimentary sand wheelchairs.
Avalon is a tranquil seaside village with colorful boats, yachts, and one-of-a-kind residences. Visitors adore the half-mile boardwalk, playgrounds, and parks, as well as the laid-back yet lively atmosphere.
Ocean City
Ocean City, which boasts one of the country’s most famous boardwalks, lives up to its self-proclaimed moniker of “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” The city is bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the other by Great Egg Harbor Bay, with roughly 8 miles of shoreline. Ocean City’s beaches, which are technically divided into many beaches (similar to Cape May), include Waverly Boulevard, Seventh Street, 16th Street, and St. Charles Place, among others.
Spend your days surfing, riding, or even doing yoga on the gentle beach along Waverly Boulevard or 16th Street. While numerous beaches are patrolled from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Memorial Day to Sunfest Weekend, just a few allow surfing such as Seventh Street, Waverly Boulevard, 16th Street, and beaches south of 36th Street.
Kids will enjoy all of the fun activities Ocean City has to offer, such as water and amusement parks, miniature golf courses, and concerts at the Ocean City Music Pier, when they aren’t frolicking in the waves or burying one other in the sand. Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, with its 25 rides, is a notable crowd-pleaser.
Ocean Grove Beach
Ocean Grove Beach’s wide, shallow waters are great for families, even if the sea might be stormy. Another kid-friendly feature is the long boardwalk, which offers spectacular views, a stroller-friendly base, and a charming pier.
The usual water sports that are swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, and floating are popular at this silky soft, sandy beach, but visitors are also treated to unique sports like beach tennis – there’s a sand court set up between Main and Middle beach, and paddles can be borrowed from the beach office. Throughout the year, fun activities such as family movie nights and a sandcastle contest are scheduled.
From Memorial Day weekend through June 19th, the beach is open on weekends. After then, until September 7th, guests can enjoy the beach from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays.
During the summer, lifeguards are on duty, and food and supplies may be purchased just a few blocks away in Ocean Grove’s downtown.
Wildwoods
Wildwoods is home to various free beaches along a 5-mile stretch of coastline that are excellent for a variety of water sports such as boogie boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, swimming, and surfing.
Throughout the year, there are over 200 festivals to attend, including the Wildwood International Kite Festival and Monster Truck Races. If you’re looking for a thrill, head to the Wildwood boardwalk and check out Morey’s Piers and Beachfront Waterparks like Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Splash Zone Waterpark.
Along the boardwalk, there are numerous entertainment venues, stores, bars, and restaurants. There are numerous lodging alternatives to select from. For example, you may rent an upmarket condo for a week or stay in a 1960s mod hotel. The Wildwoods tagline, “As wild as you want to be,” perfectly describes this place.
Sandy Hook
This state park, located on the north end of the Jersey shore, is home to one of the nicest beaches in the state. You’ll have to pay to get in, but once inside the state park grounds, you’ll find lovely white sand and plenty of parking, which is hard to come by in this part of the state. During peak season, you should arrive early to get the most out of this site and its surroundings.
There’s more to this barrier spit of land than just sunbathing. Bring your bike and explore the park’s seven-mile bike route, book a basic camping place and sleep beneath the stars, windsurf, or kite board. It’s also a great place to go bird viewing.
One of the greatest ways to see Sandy Hook is on one of the ranger-led canoe trips, which take explorers on a two-mile journey through the park, allowing them to see Sandy Hook from the water.
Brigantine Beach
Brigantine Beach, located 5 miles northeast of Atlantic City, has authorized areas for fishing, swimming, and surfing. If you want to stay on land, you can enjoy beach grilling in the summer or horseback riding from October to March. Throughout the summer, you may also attend free movie nights on the beach.
From June 15th until Labor Day, lifeguards will be on duty, allowing tourists to play in the waves from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on 20 various portions of the beach. Surfers can choose from four locations: 12th Street North, 10th Street South, South of the Sandy Lane Bathing Area, and North of the South End Jetty.
Previous visitors rated the beach as clean, uncrowded, and family-friendly. In fact, some say it’s one of the Jersey shore’s best-kept secrets.
Seaside Park Beach
Seaside Park Beach and Island Beach State Park are two of the most popular beaches in the area, so visitors should pay them a visit. Because of its warm and tranquil waters, the former is clean and a perfect spot for youngsters.
A boardwalk with stores, restaurants, and carnival attractions can be found at Seaside Park Beach. Meanwhile, Island Beach State Park is home to almost 3,000 acres of pristine coastal dunes and white sand beaches, as well as a diverse range of wildlife and plant life.
Between the majestic Atlantic Ocean and the somewhat calmer Barnegat Bay, the park offers tourists a wide range of water-based activities. Swimming is allowed on a mile-long strip of beach in the park’s center. From Memorial Day to the second Saturday in June, it is guarded from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, and daily from the second Saturday in June until Labor Day.
Bring no flotation devices, such as inner tubes or rafts, as they are not permitted on the premises.
Point Pleasant
The nearby Jenkinson’s Aquarium and Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, which features arcade games, ice cream stores, and food booths, are popular attractions in Point Pleasant. On the beach, stop into Martell’s Tiki Bar or Jenk’s for some refreshing drinks and cocktails.
Swimming, sunbathing, and surfing are just a few of the activities available on the beach. The beach is bordered with tropical palm palms, which may surprise you! Vacationers have access to amenities such as bathrooms and showers, and the entire area is supervised by lifeguards.
You can also visit Bradshaw Beach, which is open to the public, but bear in mind that the boardwalk is private property, and daily, weekly, or seasonal credentials are required to get entry.
Asbury Park Beach
/GettyImages-499475083-59a5c721845b340011609d61.jpg)
Even if you aren’t traveling with children, you will be tempted to build a sandcastle on Asbury Park Beach’s mile-long length of fine, white sand.
Sunbathing, swimming, and fishing are just a few of the activities available at the beach. From October to May, Asbury Park Beach is dog-friendly, allowing people to bring their pets along. At other times of the year, take your four-legged companions for a walk on the Eighth Avenue Dog Beach.
Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on Asbury Park’s iconic beachfront, but it has since recovered and now boasts a thriving music culture as well as lots of shopping and food options. Pascal & Sabine is a terrific place to go for French comfort food and great cocktails.