New Jersey Beaches: The Best Coastal Spots & Shore Guides

Ready to head "Down the Shore"? New Jersey beaches offer 130 miles of stunning Atlantic coastline, each town boasting its own unique personality. Whether you are looking for the nostalgic, world-famous boardwalks of Wildwood and Ocean City, the trendy arts and music scene of Asbury Park, or the quiet, upscale elegance of Spring Lake, there is a perfect patch of sand waiting for you. Join us as we explore the best Jersey Shore destinations, from hidden gems like Strathmere to the historic, candy-colored Victorian mansions of Cape May.

With 127 miles of coastline, New Jersey offers beaches for every type of traveler, whether you’re looking for a quiet town with a historic slant or a bustling beach town complete with a boardwalk and nightly entertainment. Check out our selection of some of the best beaches on the Jersey Shore. Here are the best New Jersey beaches:

Cape May

Cape May, America’s oldest seaside resort and still brimming with Victorian architecture, is a favorite spot to visit for history lovers, beach fans and, yes, foodies. Terrific dining options abound in Cape May. George’s Place is our go-to breakfast spot, but the Mad Batter also has a decades-long track record of making people happy. Speaking of happiness, people form lines at Hot Dog Tommy’s, a sidewalk institution just off the beach. Want to grab a pint? Head to the C-View Inn, the tavern said to be Cape May’s oldest. And for an upscale night out, try the delectable French fare at Maison Bleue.

Long Beach Island (Beach Haven)

LBI, as Long Beach Island is known in the local lingo, is a beach lover’s paradise. Beach Haven is hopping with plenty of fun attractions for the whole family. LBI’s only amusement park, Fantasy Island, bustles with arcade games and kid-friendly rides. A short walk away, waterslides and mini-golf await at Thundering Surf, one of Jersey’s great water parks. For shoppers, there are plenty of browsing and dining opportunities in Bay Village. For a rainy-day diversion, the Museum of New Jersey Maritime History has two floors of artifacts and underwater finds that are sure to fascinate. Of course, the main attraction is Beach Haven’s mile-square stretch of guarded ocean beach, but families with young ones are happy to discover the calmer waters (and play area) of Taylor Avenue beach on LBI’s bay side.

Ocean City

In Ocean City, the fine white sand, the shimmering water and our brilliant sunshine take center stage and for good reason! Ocean City offers 8 miles of pristine white sand, ample space for beautiful sand castles, and plenty of coastline to enjoy swimming in the waves. Bring the family down to the Shore and discover why generation after generation returns to Ocean City again and again. Take surfing lessons, buy a skim board, find out what the paddle boarding craze is all about or simply relax with a good book. Watch the sun come up over the water and remind yourself why Ocean City is America’s favorite resort town destination!

Atlantic City

New Jersey’s Atlantic City beach is famous, and rightly so. Everything you could possibly want is right here within walking distance, from shops to five-star restaurants to casinos, attractions and great shows — all benefits of being one of the few American beaches with boardwalks.

Construction on Atlantic City’s world-famous and first Boardwalk began in 1870, and from then on it has become an American icon. Stroll along the Boardwalk and enjoy ocean views on one side and shopping on the other, ranging from high-end retail to saltwater taffy shops. The free beach and Boardwalk activities include surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing.

Wildwood

The Wildwoods’ free beaches offer plenty of room for a variety of summertime activities — everything from surfing to boogie-boarding to body surfing to tossing a Frisbee to reading in the shade. There’s even a dog beach for your furry friends! Throughout the season, this five-mile stretch of powdery-white sand also hosts a number of events, including championship soccer, lacrosse and hockey tournaments, the National Marbles Championships, Monster Truck Races, Motocross Races, Sand Sculpting Festivals, headline concerts, the Wildwoods International Kite Festival and so much more. Play in the sun… take a dip… read your favorite book…catch some zzz’s… do it all on the Wildwoods’ big beautiful free beaches!

Lavallette

Take a leisurely stroll, morning jog, or bike ride down Lavallette’s beautiful mile long boardwalk. Beach access is located on every street. Lifeguards are on duty from 10AM – 5PM seven days a week during the summer season. All bathers in Lavallette must swim in the designated areas while the lifeguards are on duty. Boogie boarding is allowed between the white and blue flags. Surfing spots are located at Haddonfield Ave, Brown Ave, and Trenton Ave. Bring the family for some swimming, surfing, skim boarding, boogie boarding, snorkeling and ocean kayaking. Or go for a morning bike ride on the boardwalk from 6am to 10am. Seaside Heights weekly fireworks can be viewed from the beach every Wednesday night.

Belmar

Belmar strives to offer the cleanest and healthiest beach environment for visitors. The beach staff cleans and grooms the beaches every morning, and strictly enforces restrictions that prohibit smoking on the beaches and boardwalk. Belmar prides itself on having clean, safe and fun beaches for families of all kinds. The beaches are home to the most playgrounds in New Jersey. They were built with children’s fun and safety in mind, and are a great place for the whole family to enjoy. The town has made an effort to play down its rep as party central. To a large degree it has, but the south end of Belmar is still hopping. D’Jais, across the beach on Ocean Avenue, remains a hot spot. Away from the waterfront, Boathouse Bar & Grill on Main Street boasts an outdoor patio.

Avalon

Situated between The Wildwoods and Atlantic City, Avalon & Stone Harbor share a barrier island named Seven Mile Beach. Avalon comprises the north side of the island. . The entire island sits a mile seaward than other shore towns, making it a delightful spot to enjoy cool ocean breezes or great waves for surfing. Seven Mile Beach boasts the highest sand dunes on the Jersey Shore, which makes the perfect home for plants and small animals that are indigenous to the area.

Avalon has a quiet, upscale atmosphere, with small boutique stores and several establishments for fine dining. There is no commercial boardwalk on Seven Mile Beach, and most of the island’s guests rent houses for a week or more. Avalon is a perfect destination for families and those who wish for a quiet beach as well as plenty of wildlife sanctuaries and world-class bird watching. Visitors to this beachfront oasis may also visit nearby Atlantic City or Wildwood for exciting nightlife and boardwalk activity.

Sea Girt

With one mile of uncrowded beaches and an old-fashioned boardwalk, Sea Girt is ideal for a quiet family getaway. The boardwalk begins at the foot of the Sea Girt Lighthouse and runs to the south end of town. Hungry? Check out Rod’s Tavern, a turn-of-the-century saloon, for some traditional pub fare. For people watching, grab a table for lunch at the Parker House—but be ready for long lines.

Point Pleasant

Fun House isn’t just an attraction on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk; it’s appropriate for this seaside playground, with its world-class aquarium, live entertainment, amusement park, wide beaches and array of dining options and shops. At Jenkinson’s Aquarium, little ones can view sharks, penguins, alligators and seals—even sea stars and stingrays in the touch tank. For dinner, head over to Frankie’s Bar & Grill on Richmond Avenue to feast on burgers. End a great day at Hoffman’s, where you can indulge in delicious homemade ice cream flavors from strawberry bon-bon to peanut butter nugget.

Manasquan

Today Manasquan remains one of the top New Jersey Shore getaways. Thousands flock to the beach each summer by day – and many more come to Manasquan in the evening to enjoy the fine restaurants and nightlife. Manasquan offers fishing in the ocean and river, as well as one entire beach devoted to the needs of the handicapped. Sitting just north of Pt. Pleasant, Manasquan NJ is an ideal vacation spot for couples, families, and anyone else looking for lots of sun, sand, and plenty of activity.

Asbury Park

This historic shore town features one of the best beaches in the state. Along with endless sand, great surf and unlimited fun, you’ll find a revitalized Boardwalk that’s better than ever. Unique shops, eclectic restaurants with breathtaking views and the crown jewel—the restored Paramount Theater and Convention Hall. Visitors to Asbury’s boardwalk can still have their fortunes told at Madam Marie’s Temple of Knowledge and play on vintage pinball machines (preserved at the Silverball Museum), but now they’ll also find clothing and jewelry at the Market at Fifth Avenue, sushi and tacos at Langosta Lounge, and surfboards and skateboards at Lightly Salted. A short walk from the beach, the Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten serves almost 100 varieties of beer, and famous venues like the Stone Pony—a Springsteen haunt—are still packed.

Sea Bright

Sea Bright is a slice of small-town America, very low-key and family-oriented. From the beaches in Sea Bright, sunbathers can spot the Manhattan skyline 22 miles away — if you really want to. This is Jersey Shore’s best kept secret, the hidden gem, because no matter where you are, you are one block from the beach. You can essentially have your own private beach in Sea Bright as few go here, mostly residents. Bike and jogging paths link Sea Bright to Sandy Hook and are used year-round. Bird-watching is big, too. The downtown has a handful of restaurants — some down-home, some fancier — and Rumson and Red Bank, via another bridge over the Shrewsbury, offer places to dine and shop.

Seaside Heights

Seaside Heights Beaches are all public and are open throughout the season. Public Access can be found almost each block and badges can be purchased for the day. Come early to claim your spot for the day! Enjoy a book while relaxing to the fresh ocean breeze. The northern end of the Seaside Heights Beach provides some of the best surfing NJ has to offer. The natural sandbars create waves, which break far from the beach and maintain size and strength on their journey to shore. Individual lifeguard towers are spread out the entire length. Beach goers can find surf conditions marked by flags flying. Lifeguards are on duty all hours that the beach is opened. No swimming is allowed after the lifeguards are off duty.Save