During the summer months, the temperatures can reach very high very quickly in some places throughout the world and the United States.
With the high temperatures, many people seek activities that can cool them off, such as going to the beach.
There are countless beaches throughout the United States that you can visit during the summer.
Today, we are going to explore the 10 best beaches in the state of New Jersey.
10 Best Beaches in New Jersey
If you want to know the best beaches to visit in New Jersey, keep reading below.
Cape May
Cape May is home to a variety of beaches for you to enjoy on your trip to New Jersey.
In Cape May, there are lots of things to keep you busy without being over the top.
The best time to visit if you plan to swim at the beach is during the warm summer months from May through September.
You can also explore the city during the fall festival in October or look at the beautiful Christmas lights during the winter months.
Cape May doesn’t have any hotels on the beach, but there is a large variety of bed and breakfasts, rental cottages, and local hotels.
If you want to stay at a chain hotel, you won’t find one here.
The people of Cape May, New Jersey prefer to keep things local.
Avalon
Everyone over the age of 12 is required to have a beach tag to visit Avalon Beach from May 28th through September 6th.
Here are a few options they have on the website.
You can buy beach tags for the season, for the week, or the day, depending on how often you plan to visit the beach.
Avalon has seven miles worth of beaches you can visit depending on your needs.
Whether you plan to kayak, raft, swim, or sunbathe, there is a beach for you.
There are even beaches available for handicapped access as well as places for your furry family members to run around and have fun.
Ocean Grove
Ocean Grove is a family-friendly beach with access to lifeguards, shallow water, showers, and bathrooms directly on the beach.
The beach is open from the end of May through the beginning of September.
There is a fee to visit the beach.
They have different options for buying beach badges.
You have the option to purchase a beach badge for the day, for the week, or the whole season.
Accompanied children aged 11 and below are free.
Ocean City
Ocean City Beach requires everyone from the age of 12 and over to carry beach badges during the season.
Beach badges are enforced during the season from Memorial Day weekend through the middle of September.
Unfortunately, if you plan to take your family pet on vacation with you, it will have to stay at the hotel or wherever you are staying.
Pets are not allowed on the beaches in Ocean City, New Jersey.
However, you might be able to find animal-friendly things to do here without breaking the rules.
Sandy Hook
At Sandy Hook Beach, you can find various fun things to do, ranging from swimming and sunbathing to windsurfing and biking.
Just be careful of the nearby nudist beach, Gunnison Beach, if that is not something you would like to see, especially if you are going to the beach with children.
To access Sandy Hook Beach, you need to go through the access point where you will be required to purchase a parking pass either for the day or for the whole season.
Other than the parking pass, there is no fee to enter the beach.
The Wildwoods
Wildwood Beach has five miles worth of beach that is at least 500 yards wide at some points.
If you are looking for somewhere quiet to relax, this is not the beach for you.
The Wildwoods is full of noise and fun events for the whole family to enjoy.
Some of the regular events that take place include monster truck rallies, concerts, and much more.
Part of the beach even has an amusement park you can enjoy with your family.
The beach part is free for everyone to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and other fun beach activities.
Seaside Heights
When visiting Seaside Heights, there are lots of things for the whole family to explore and enjoy.
You can hang out on the beach and relax in the sand.
You can also participate in beach activities or swim in the sea.
On the boardwalk, they offer various carnival attractions, restaurants, arcade games, and much more.
Seaside Heights is home to several public beaches, most of which cost $8 per day.
The exception to the $8 fee is Bay Beach, which is free for the public to visit.
Brigantine Beach
Brigantine Beach sits less than two hours from New York City and less than an hour from Philadelphia.
You can swim in the ocean, relax on the beach, and even sail or kayak, depending on which area you go to.
Swimming is only permitted during the beach season and between 10 am to 5:30 pm when the lifeguards are on duty.
No lifeguards mean no swimming.
During the summer months, you can also go to free movie nights on the beach.
Long Beach Island
There is a large variety of things to do when visiting Long Beach Island.
If you want to have some fun at an amusement park, you can visit the Fantasy Island Amusement Park with your family.
If amusement parks aren’t your style, there are various museums, theaters, galleries, and waterparks available to enjoy and explore.
You can even take a boat tour called the Black Pearl Pirate Tours.
If you would rather just relax on the beach and maybe swim in the ocean, there is that too.
Point Pleasant Beach
While you can swim in the water at Point Pleasant Beach, many people have said that the tide can be a bit rough.
The good news is, there are lifeguards available in case something happens in the water.
If you would rather not swim in the ocean, you can walk or relax on the sandy beach.
On the boardwalk, there are various activities for you to do with your family, as a couple, or even by yourself.
Some activities on the boardwalk include golfing, visiting amusement parks, and enjoying the various dining options.
You can also visit Jenkinson’s Aquarium, where you can see a variety of animals including:
- Atlantic sharks
- Coral reef
- Fish
- Parrots
- Monkeys
- Turtles
- Frogs
- Owls
- Harbor seals
- African penguins
- And much more
New Jersey Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What beach in New Jersey is the most crowded?
The most crowded beaches are in the areas of Monmouth and Ocean County.
If you go during the off-season, you might be able to miss the crowds altogether.
If you still want to go during the regular beach season, you might want to consider less crowded locations to visit the beach.
What months are the best for visiting the beaches in New Jersey?
If you don’t mind the crowds, the ideal time for visiting New Jersey Beaches is during the summer months in July and August.
Unfortunately, this is when most tourists visit the beaches.
If you don’t want to compete with as many people, the best time to visit the beaches is during the fall months, when it is still warm enough to go to the beach, but not as crowded.
What New Jersey beach is the least crowded?
The least crowded beach in New Jersey is Pearl Beach.
This beach doesn’t have any of the attractions that crowded beaches do have.
If all you want to do is sit on a quiet, non-crowded beach, Pearl Beach is a great option.
Pearl Beach doesn’t have a lifeguard, so if you plan to swim, swim at your own risk.
Another great beach in New Jersey that is quiet and less crowded is Strathmere Beach.
Strathmere Beach is one of the beaches with no fees, and it has a lifeguard for peace of mind.
This one does have more visitors than Pearl Beach, but it is still pretty quiet compared to some of the other beaches in New Jersey.
Plus you can swim with the feeling of safety and security that having a lifeguard brings.
Is the water warm or cold on New Jersey beaches?
It depends on what beaches you are at as to whether the water is cold or warm.
The water in the north is colder than the water in the south.
It also depends on the time of year you plan to go to the beach.
In February, the water temperature is close to 35 degrees.
In the warmest months, the water temperature is roughly around 75 degrees.
The beaches in New Jersey are absolutely stunning and offer a perfect summer getaway.