What are the best beaches on the Jersey Shore?

Jersey Shore is one of the primary locations in the United States where some of the famous beaches of the East Coast are situated. Fortunately, the Coastline of New York is approximately 128.8 miles long thus ensuring that people have abundant sandy shores to play with. Here are some of the beaches that you would find on the Jersey Shore.

Ocean City Beach
Ocean City Beach is one of the best beaches on the Jersey Shore and the most family-oriented one. This beach is the longest on the island and is situated on the southern side of the island stretching to more than 12.5 kilometers of the shoreline for swimming and other water activities such as surfing and fishing. This beach is long and flat and has shallow water below the shoreline, which is perfect for children to play. Swimming is permitted between the periods of Memorial Day weekend to September 30th, and beach tags are mandatory during this period. Ocean City boardwalk is also present nearby and this area houses amusement parks, rides, arcades, shops, and food joints. The beach and boardwalk areas remain crowded and vibrant throughout the summertime. Having built shelters with lifeguards and refreshment stands nearby, Ocean City Beach has all the potential to meet all your traditional Jersey shore expectations.

Island Beach State Park
However, if you wish to spend time on a natural beach without the noise of amusement parks, Island Beach State Park is the place to be. This ten-mile stretch of the barrier island is a preserved area with some of the best unspoilt beaches in the state of New Jersey. Stroll through sand, swamps, and coastal woodlands. It is one of the most favored places for bird-watching enthusiasts and there are over two hundred recorded bird species in the park. It is also possible to find several nature trails for hiking within the region. As there are no onsite amenities like food, drinks, or even restrooms, be sure to arrive fully equipped. Parking at the park beaches attracts a small fee, and this is well-deserved thanks to the stunning views that the park offers. This park is a perfect contrast to the bustle of the city where you can find solitude and enjoy the view of the ocean.

Cape May Beach
Can’t find the Victorian bead and charm nowadays. Then head to the beautiful and scenic, Cape May Beach on New Jersey’s southern stretch. The beach is located at the oceanfront drive, with a plethora of stunning constructional old colorfully designed bed and breakfast facilities. Restaurants and shops line the beachfront and are easily accessible. There are currently lifeguards for hire during the months of late June up to August. Seabirds and dolphins /whales are also frequently observed off-shore! If you have spent the day relaxing on the sand and basking under the sun, try out a personally made ice cream in a cone in the evening followed by a tour of the ghosts in town. The beaches are accessible at any time of the year since Cape May is considered a seasonal destination.

Asbury Park Beach and Boardwalk is one of the many fine beaches that are located in New Jersey.

If you want to catch an artsy, Rock n’ Roll feel near the shore, look no further than Asbury Park. Lie on this long and broad sandy shore or go ahead and challenge some waves – surfing lessons and equipment can be hired on the shore. Walk along the famous wooden pier where you can find hundreds of seafood restaurants, local shops, cafes, and bars, many of which even have small stages for live performances. It can get even better because major bands are known to have their shows on the beach and boardwalk, especially during festivals in the summertime! The town has indeed a lot to offer, from the Stone Pony Club to a Silverball Retro Arcade or Convention Hall, Asbury Park Beach and Boardwalk embody the seaside spirit of the Jersey Shore.

Point Pleasant Beach
It is also called the place where New Jersey comes together, and, therefore, you should include Point Pleasant Beach in your list as well. It offers more than 2.2 miles of clean sandy shoreline with tame waves and a bustling boardwalk that has fun eateries like carnival food vendors, and themed parks with various attractions such as games of fate, live shows, and rides, among others. Choose soft-serve ice cream and walk near the lights on summer nights. There are also many autumn crab fishermen in Point Pleasant Beach – so, don’t leave your fishing rod at home! The winter is somewhat quiet, which makes it ideal for those who visit the shore for a barefoot stroll in the sand while meeting the Manasquan Inlet Lighthouse. Point Pleasant Beach is a place that caters to everyone’s needs and even those who have not visited the place will find it easy to visit.

Sandy Hook Beach
Sandy Hook is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area and boasts some of the best beaches in Monmouth County. Approximately seven miles of asphalted Multiple Use Pathways are there that pass through Fort Hancock, dunes, salt marshes, and holly trees to reach the beach. This is Gunnison Beach which is on the northern side and it is a nude beach. However, other areas with family values extend to the remaining parts of the shoreline, where there is provision for a lifeguard service, bathhouses, and concessions. A range of the wide sandy Atlantic beaches by the waters of this particular peninsula have been a part of strategic defense since the mid-1700s. Lounge on the same beaches that Dutch seamen, lighthouse, and even a young Walt Whitman strolled along. It is due to the differences in geography and historical significance that the beaches of Sandy Hook are one of a kind.

Avalon Beach
Head south through the Jersey Shore go deeper into Cape May County and get acquainted with Avalon – a perfect beach town. Many of its beaches are listed as some of the cleanest in the state at least depending on data collected at the time of writing this article. Swim and sunbathe on seven miles of pristine Atlantic beach with the Avalon landmark lighthouse in the distance. Go to the beach and look for the Cape May Diamonds that sometimes wash up on the shore: small, glass-like stones that are endemic to this region. As for the atmosphere of the low-key family resort town, it is noteworthy that it shifts significantly during the summer, there are even established shops and restaurants by the beach, and temporary attractions like miniature golf. Barbequing opportunities and less crowded sandy shores like Avalon Beach of Long Beach Island make for perfect getaways. For lunch, relax at a beach bar after a day of sunbathing on the sandy coast then have a delicious seafood dinner at a restaurant with a view of the colorful sunset over the coastal dunes.

Belmar Beach
But don’t worry, last but not least, Belmar Beach has been awarded as the most popular or the best Jersey Shore beach. What Belmar has to offer is more than a mile of pristine golden sandy beaches overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, all within a one-hour drive from the city of New York. It offers great energy that borders on the place being ‘too relaxed’ while having a cool boardwalk setting. Get off the train from New York City and be on the beach with your mouth wide open sun tanning by lunchtime! If you wish to escape the scorching sun, you can grab some sugar rush at shops located along Ocean Avenue or go on a deep-sea fishing tour. Take the Giant Slide, which is located right on the sand of the sea. Given the numerous restaurant choices right on the shoreline, you wouldn’t think of leaving this place before watching the sunset on the horizon over the Shark River Inlet. Belmar Beach could be interpreted as an energetic and nostalgic representation of the summer vacation at the Jersey shore.

Indeed, the Jersey Shore encompasses a fantastic selection of beaches that will suit any taste – from an active overnight entertainment hub to the quiet spaces of nature reserves. Regardless of which shore town one decides to visit, one is guaranteed to be amazed by beautiful sandy beaches that have a golden hue during the early morning and at the end of the day. So grab your beach chair, pack up the car for that road trip along the coastal areas, and begin ticking off the most beautiful beaches. The famous Jersey Shore is this place that spells it all, beach dream.