Click on town names in our list or in the map to see details of what each beach has to offer. (Click on the counties at the bottom of the map to switch from Monmouth-Ocean to Atlantic-Cape May.) Or, select the link at top right of this page to compare your options with our at-a-glance chart.

The Bayshore and Sandy Hook

• Keansburg -- Keansburg boasts the oldest boardwalk amusement area in New Jersey, a beach on Raritan Bay and a raucous bar scene.
• Sandy Hook -- This lovely part of Gateway National Recreation Area has seven miles of beaches - on Sandy Hook Bay and on the ocean - parks, nature walks and historic sites.
• Highlands -- This little town has small, bay beaches, but more than its share of bars and restaurants.
• Middletown -- Middletown's beaches on Sandy Hook and Raritan bays are small, quiet places frequented by local residents.
• Red Bank -- Red Bank has riverfront parks but no swimming. It's a hot spot for dining, shopping and entertainment.

Long Branch area

• Sea Bright -- This sliver of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Navesink River has beach clubs, a municipal beach and a state-owned free beach, used primarily by surfers and fishermen. It's also a good place to party.
• Monmouth Beach -- Anyone may purchase a beach-only seasonal badge at the Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, but memberships are available to Monmouth Beach residents only.
• Long Branch -- The city is home to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, two miles of municipal beach popular with swimmers, surfers and sun-worshippers and the Pier Village boardwalk shopping and dining center.
• Deal -- The pavilion at Phillips Avenue in this exclusive community is open to the public. It has showers and changing rooms, as well as a snack bar and volleyball nets.
• Allenhurst -- Beach access at Corlies and Spier avenues in this small town is available only through membership in the borough beach club.
• Loch Arbour -- A quiet beach. A pavilion includes outdoor showers and a snack bar. Restaurants are three blocks west.

Asbury Park and Belmar area

• Asbury Park -- Always at the heart of Shore music, Asbury Park has undergone a resurgence with scores of shops, restaurants, art galleries and entertainment venues.
• Ocean Grove -- Ocean Grove has a beach, colorful Victorian homes and all sorts of specialty shops and restaurants.
• Bradley Beach -- Bradley Beach has a main street lined with diverse stores and eateries.
• Avon -- Enjoy a romantic weekend in this Victorian community by the sea.
• Belmar -- Belmar is one of the Jersey Shore's premiere beach destinations, with its mile-long coastline, attractive boardwalk and healthy nightlife.
• Lake Como -- Lake Como is a popular Jersey Shore town without a beach, known for its raucous nightlife.

Spring Lake to Brielle

• Spring Lake -- This borough offers a two-mile beach and more than 60 specialty shops.
• Sea Girt -- Sea Girt has a nice beach, Irish bars, a relaxed vibe and a historic lighthouse.
• Manasquan -- Food, night life, shopping, surfing, fishing and running: Manasquan has it all. The soft sandy beaches attract a mix of patrons.
• Brielle -- Brielle has waterfront restaurants and the Manasquan River Water Taxi for bar-hoppers.

Point Pleasant Beach to Lavallette

• Point Pleasant Beach -- Known for its boardwalk and beaches, Point Pleasant Beach -- a.k.a. The Beach -- may be the quintessential Jersey Shore summer town.
• Point Pleasant -- Point Pleasant has river beaches and a popular fishing pier.
• Brick -- Brick has massive shopping centers, more than 50 miles of waterfront property, and more than 30 marinas.
• Bay Head -- This country village by the sea has a modest business district.
• Mantoloking -- Older mansions and big, new homes sit on a sliver of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay.
• Lavallette -- Million-dollar homes look out on both ocean beaches and Barnegat Bay.

Toms River and Island Beach area

• Toms River -- Toms River has a busy downtown, and beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, the Barnegat Bay, and the Toms River.
• Berkeley -- Much of the land east of Route 9 is considered wetlands and much west of the Garden State Parkway is in the Pinelands natural preservation area.
• Seaside Heights -- The boardwalk is packed with eateries, arcades and amusements. Hotels are plentiful and boats, kayaks and personal watercraft can be rented.
• Seaside Park -- Seaside Park is known for its beaches and quite boardwalk. It attracts summer renters and day-trippers.
• Lacey -- With more than a dozen private marinas, a public yacht basin and miles of riverfront and artificial lagoons, Lacey enjoys some of the best boating access in New Jersey.
• Island Beach State Park -- This natural beauty has 10 miles of protected sand dunes and beaches, swimming, fishing, trails, bird-watching and snorkeling.

Waretown and Long Beach Island

• Waretown -- This quiet coastal town carved out of the Pine Barrens is nestled along Barnegat Bay.
• Barnegat Light -- Barnegat Light's beaches, at the north end of Long Beach Island, attract many visitors.
• Harvey Cedars -- The small community has plush homes and a quaint downtown with restaurants and shops.
• Little Egg Harbor -- This town offers plenty of fishing and boating opportunities.
• Tuckerton -- Tuckerton is a small, residential community that draws its share of seasonal residents.
• Surf City -- Surf City has quiet beaches and a laid-back tempo.
• Ship Bottom -- The gateway to Long Beach Island, Ship Bottom' has some of the best surfing at the Shore.
• Long Beach Township -- The largest municipality on Long Beach Island includes many varied beaches.
• Beach Haven -- Beach Haven has a quaint downtown and some of the best-known restaurants on LBI.

Atlantic City area

• Ventor, Margate, Longport -- Known as "Downbeach," these three communities have their quiet assets -- and that elephant.
• Atlantic City -- The East Coast gaming mecca has become a glittering playground, and it still has a free beach.
• Brigantine -- Pirates once sailed these waters, but today they're popular with surfers.

Ocean City to Cape May

• Ocean City -- A quiet town with beautiful beaches, Ocean City has plenty of fine dining. Alcohol is prohibited in the city. Fishing, water sports, boat rides, miniature golf courses and a water park keep guests entertained.
• Sea Isle City -- This quiet spot has plenty of parking near its beaches and shopping areas.
• Avalon and Stone Harbor -- This island of tranquility has wealthy trappings and a bird sanctuary.
• the Wildwoods -- These four towns have big, free beaches, lots of amusements and doo-wop style hotels.
• Cape May -- Victorian houses, gourmet restaurants and a rich offering of art and music productions make for perfect romantic trips.