During the last four years, I have been exploring as many beaches in New Jersey as I can. Living in Philly, it’s not difficult for me to go down the shore most of the weekends from May to September. Beach towns and family resorts dot the 130 miles of NJ coastline, so I have plenty of options when I need a beach day!
While personal opinions vary on the best NJ shore destination, travelers unanimously agree that taking a vacation along the Jersey shoreline counts among top activities in New Jersey. From collecting seashells and glass fragments to enjoying different water-based activities, the shore provides plenty of fun. Depending on one`s location, sightings of dolphins or whales may occur, in addition to scenic nature and historic landmarks.
I’ve found that each beach in New Jersey has its distinguishing aspect and offers something alternative. Therefore, whether you want to party, spend time with family, relax in nature, or simply discover a free beach in New Jersey, I can assist you
In essence, the subsequent encompasses the 10 finest beaches of New Jersey:
- Cape May
- Ocean City
- Island Beach State Recreational Area
- Asbury Park
- Long Beach Island
- Manasquan
- Sandy Hook
- Avalon
- Brigantine
- The Wildwoods
The best beaches in New Jersey could be found below rather than in Atlantic City:
Table of Contents
1. Cape May, the best beach in New Jersey
No disagreement exists regarding the fact that Cape May stands as one of the finest beaches in New Jersey. Cape May is situated at NJ’s southern tip, the oldest seaside resort town designated a National Historic Landmark.
The moment you arrive, you’ll see precisely what makes Cape May so unique. Picturesque Victorian mansions and colorful homes line the roads, alongside vintage thrift shops, B&Bs, and an assortment of restaurants. Super scenic and charming, Cape May showcases natural beauty, and its family-friendly atmosphere cements it as one of the premier New Jersey coastlines.
You’ll need to purchase a beach tag to go on the sand, but it’s worth the $8. After a morning on the beach, I recommend strolling along the promenade or checking out the nearby attractions like Cape May Point State Park, the Cape May Lighthouse, Sunset Beach, or one of the wineries. Exit Zero is one of my favorite restaurants in town; many people come for the artsy atmosphere and stay for the delicious food.
While Cape May may not be the most thrilling area of the New Jersey coast, it provides a peaceful environment where individuals can ride bikes, watch birds, and parasail. It`s common to view dolphins from shore, but those wanting a closer look may consider an oceanic excursion like a Cape May whale and dolphin watching tour such as this 2-hour sunset voyage.
- Where to stay: Grand Hotel Cape May or Angel of the Sea Bed and Breakfast
2. Ocean City, the best beach in New Jersey for families
Ocean City frequently makes lists of top New Jersey beaches, and it`s not difficult to understand why. It has a wonderful shoreline, an entertaining boardwalk, and a family-friendly atmosphere that keeps people returning.
A daily beach pass in Ocean City is a mere $5, and finding a spot on the expansive white sand shoreline will not be an issue. Lifeguards are on duty all summer, and the beaches are among the cleanest in the vicinity.
Ocean City is also one of the best beaches in New Jersey that features a boardwalk, and it’s especially popular among families with children. Bikes are allowed on the boardwalk, although it’s preferable to ride in the morning when temperatures are lower and fewer people are present. The nearly 2.5-mile boardwalk includes two amusement parks, arcades, mini-golf courses, shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is a staple here and has been around for nearly 100 years.
If you prefer spending time in nature, Ocean City offers kayak, parasail, paddle board, and dolphin watch opportunities. You`ll also find plenty of hotels as well as several B&Bs and campgrounds. Overall, OC is the best family beach in NJ, plus it`s a dry town, so while you can’t purchase alcohol here, you can bring your own.
3. Island Beach State Park, one of the cleanest NJ beaches
Island Beach State Park is another pristine location to visit along the Jersey shoreline. Nestled in Barnegat Bay, it’s a magnificent bay beach in NJ with lots of open, natural spaces.
The park is a conserved barrier island, which explains its untouched state. Entry costs $6 per car ($12 for non-NJ residents), and parking is simple to find. You’ll come across an interpretive center on the island, as well as Fisherman’s Walkway, a wooden pathway leading directly to the beach. Be aware that ocean swimming is only permitted in the designated one-mile stretch of coastline.
Given the less developed surroundings, Island Beach is one of the more tranquil NJ beaches, and it offers opportunities to hike and bike trails. There are many chances to watch wildlife along the marked routes, or canoes and kayaks can be used on the water to spot wading birds and falcons at the bay. The Park holds one of the largest osprey colonies in New Jersey, so keep an eye out!
This New Jersey coastal location is near the Sedge Island Wildlife Management Area, where you can learn more about the surrounding sand dunes, salt marshes, and oceanic woodlands.
- Where to stay: Hershey Motel
4. Asbury Park, one of the best north Jersey beaches
Over the past ten years, the area of Asbury Park has become one of the most scenic shorelines in New Jersey. The renovated locale welcomes all people, creating an energized place for enjoyable summertime activities.
It’s a bit of a trip to arrive at this northern New Jersey beach, but it’s worthwhile. Along with the beach, there is a fun boardwalk, the Silverball pinball arcade museum, various restaurants, theaters, art galleries, and the Carousel Building, a historic Beaux Arts-style music venue.
The nostalgia of this locale is undeniable, rendering it one of the more frequented shorelines in New Jersey. Notably, The Stone Pony opened in 1974 and hosted major artists like Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, and others. Other popular spots on the Asbury Park Boardwalk include the Supper Club and the Wonder Bar.
This family-oriented seaside town in Jersey has beach playgrounds, a Splash Park, and all kinds of entertainments, making it perfect for a weekend escape. Beach tags cost $6 ($9 on weekends), and the beach`s northern end is dog-friendly. In addition to all the water sports you can partake in here, I recommend checking Asbury Park`s calendar of events since there are many annual festivals.
- Where to reside:The Asbury
5. LBI, some of the least crowded beaches in New Jersey
Long Beach Island, also called LBI, is an 18-mile barrier island famed for some of the finest beaches in New Jersey. If you want a true seaside getaway, you`ll find plenty of surfing, sandcastles, and sunlight along LBI`s coastline.
With its six coastal towns, LBI is home to many top rated New Jersey beaches that consistently receive accolades. As you cross over the Manahawkin Bay Bridge, you can head north towards the resorts with more amenities or south to some of LBI`s classic hotspots. Each beach offers something unique worth experiencing.
Travel northward will lead you to Surf City and the tranquil bay coastline of Harvey Cedars. The northernmost tip of LBI is Barnegat Light, an engaging town with a lighthouse 150 years of age and plenty of watersports.
To the south, you’ll find Ship Bottom and scenic Long Beach. A bit further south is Beach Haven, an awesome family resort with great brunch spots and LBI’s only amusement park.
If you’re traveling with friends or kin and desire water activities and boardwalk attractions, Beach Haven is your best selection. For those seeking more peace, the northern beaches of LBI should fulfill that desire!
- Where to spend the night: Hotel LBI or Spray Beach Hotel
6. Manasquan, one of the best beach towns in New Jersey, USA
Manasquan is one of the lovely northern New Jersey coastlines that you must experience. It’s so wonderful that singer Bruce Springsteen considers it his “happy place.” In Manasquan, you can enjoy outstanding cuisine, a waterfront promenade, pale sands, and much more.
The well-maintained mile-long stretch of coastline provides a peaceful paradise and the ideal location to unwind. The area focuses on families, with public restrooms directly off the beach. One of the finest aspects of Manasquan is that it doesn’t have the commercialization of other shore towns.
Blended with the friendly local people, you may find some youthful outsiders hitting the bars and clubs nearby on Main Street. Manasquan has an imaginative downtown region, so there are activities to do here during the day and night. Gee Gee’s pizza and arcade is a crowd favorite for its craved food and down-to-earth staff.
Daily beach access fees are $10, and you can walk to the southern end of the coast to view the surfers at Manasquan Inlet. It’s also worth going to the wildlife conservation area of Fisherman’s Cove, where you can watch birds and wildlife.
While visiting Manasquan, keep in mind that it’s near several other superb NJ beaches like Ocean Grove, Asbury Park, and Spring Lake.
- Where to stay: Inn on Main Hotel
7. Sandy Hook, one of the best free beaches in New Jersey
There are few isolated beaches in New Jersey, but Sandy Hook is one of them, and it offers a gorgeous setting to spend the day. This location is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, and the lovely beaches serve as a bonus.
Here, one can engage in activities such as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and biking as much as desired. Multi-use paths and wildlife trails wind through the salt marshes and holly forest, and the waters are well-suited for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
In addition to seven miles of coastline, the area includes the 😀Gateway National Recreation Area.😀 As you head north, you’ll discover landmarks like Fort Hancock, Battery Mills, 😀Sandy Hook Lighthouse😀, and the Nike Missile Site, remnants of the area’s military history.
Sandy Hook is a barrier peninsula extending into New York Harbor, so it’s somewhat of a journey reaching this New Jersey beach. Once there, you can take in the views of Manhattan, take a ferry to NYC, or stay in Jersey and enjoy the ocean and bay beaches.
Furthermore, this is one of the few beaches with free access in New Jersey, although you’ll have to pay for parking. Lots B, C, D, and E lead to beaches suitable for families, while those traveling north will find the nude Gunnison Beach.
- Where to lodge: BeachWalk at Sea Bright
8. Avalon, one of the top south New Jersey beaches
Avalon provides another pleasant New Jersey shoreline for sunbathing or gentle surf. Its wide sands suit families or those preferring a relaxed weekend escape.
Located in Cape May County, this southern New Jersey beach offers clean sand, high dunes, and free parking areas. Beach permits are merely $6, and crowds tend to be sparse, making it a heavenly spot for a casual trip. Enjoy surfing, rafting, paddleboarding, and beach volleyball before grabbing a snack at one of the nearby cafes or ice cream shops.
Avalon lies within Seven Mile Island and shares the general vicinity with its sister beach, Stone Harbor. Both qualify as nice, family-friendly beaches in NJ, even though Stone Harbor tends toward more opulence. Given the short distance between the two towns, visiting each presents no problem.
Of course, Avalon has enough features to keep you satisfied, like shops, mini-golf, and restaurants. It’s also absolutely gorgeous and one of the more popular beach wedding spots in Jersey.
- Where to reside: ICONA Avalon
9. Brigantine, a relaxing beach town in New Jersey
Sometimes referred to as “The Island,” the town of Brigantine is a naturally beautiful destination that’s easily accessible from Philadelphia. There aren’t many attractions in Brigantine, but if relaxing on the sand is what you seek, it`s perfect for that purpose.
This peaceful southern New Jersey shoreline is relaxing and serene, making it a rejuvenating refuge for those weary of urban living. If you love being on or in the water, in Brigantine, you can kayak, water ski, surf, and swim. Additionally, the sandy coast is very tidy, so you can spend hours blissfully sunbathing.
Something that makes Brigantine exclusive from other beaches in New Jersey is its history of shipwrecks. In the 1700s and 1800s, hundreds of ships met a disastrous end in Brigantine’s shoals. Legend tells that Scottish pirate Captain Kidd fell in love with a local Jersey woman and left a buried treasure in Brigantine. You won’t find gold here, but you will see the nearly 100-year-old Brigantine Lighthouse.
Brigantine on the Jersey Shore is the best beach near Atlantic City, New Jersey, and you can see the skyline of AC in the distance. While the glory days of AC have long passed, if you’re interested in visiting the casinos or the iconic boardwalk, it’s an easy trip from Brigantine.
- Where to stay: Legacy Vacation Resorts – Brigantine Beach
10. The Wildwoods, one of the best New Jersey beaches with a boardwalk
Many individuals have precious recollections of spending their vacations in The Wildwoods. The family-focused resort owns one of the best boardwalks in New Jersey, which stretches nearly 2.5 miles and incorporates three amusement piers and two waterparks.
The resort offers endless entertainment opportunities; rides, games, miniature golf, beach bars, arcades, cafes, and the famous shuttle car. You cannot visit Wildwood without hearing the boardwalk shuttle`s call, “watch the tram car, please!” Another distinguishing feature of Wildwood is its spacious beach. There is around a half mile separating the boardwalk from the ocean, so while it`s a distance to traverse, you`ll be rewarded with five miles of free beaches in New Jersey.
Wildwood is suitable for families, although the downtown region is where most of the vacationers and party crowds gather. Wildwood Crest is much calmer and upscale, while North Wildwood is a favorite among long-term guests for being peaceful and clean.
During the day, enjoy the gentle waves on the shore, then stroll the boards for great people-watching and witness the piers come to life as the sun sets. Wildwood has a rich 1950s Doo-Wop heritage, which you’ll notice in the neon hotel signs throughout town. There is even a Doo-Wop Museum and bus tour that you can participate in.
Though close to Atlantic City north and Cape May south, Wildwood`s bounty ensures desires to linger within New Jersey`s beach township.
- Where to lodge: Bolero Resort or Bal Harbour Hotel
I hope you enjoyed learning about the top beach resort destinations in New Jersey! Deciding on just ten stood out locations from the state`s overall collection of over 40 beaches was challenging. No matter where you end up going, I`m certain you`ll have a great experience there.
The street map of Las Vegas provided below will help you to quickly locate any street or place of interest in the city.
As I mentioned, everyone has their views on which is the best beach in New Jersey. So, if you want to share your experience or ask me a question, leave me a comment below. Enjoy your vacation on the Jersey shore!
