Jersey Shore Beaches

Easily one of the most beloved spots on the Jersey Shore, Point Pleasant Beach is a family favorite thanks to its action-packed boardwalk and classic beach vibes. This lively seafront destination is like a giant playground for all ages, with everything from an aquarium and amusement rides to ropes courses, games, and casual dining spots.

Highlights:

• Boardwalk packed with rides, games, and attractions
• Jenkinson’s Aquarium for a fun, educational break
• Great beach for swimming, sunbathing, and sandcastle-building
• Family-friendly restaurants and snack stands nearby
• Perfect spot for a full day of seaside fun

Pro Tip:

Make a day of it—hit the beach in the morning, grab lunch on the boardwalk, and end with arcade games or a spin on the Ferris wheel.

Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant, New Jersey, USA

If you love the Jersey Shore but prefer peace and quiet over crowds and carnival rides, Stone Harbor is your go-to. This charming beach town is laid-back, scenic, and full of small-town vibes. You’ll find soft sand, beautiful views, and just enough to do without feeling overwhelmed—think cute shops, cozy cafés, mini golf, and even pottery painting.

Highlights:

• Calm, uncrowded beach with soft sand and ocean views
• Low-key, family-friendly atmosphere
• Great local dining and boutique shopping
• Fun activities like mini golf and pottery painting
• Perfect for couples, families, or a quiet solo retreat

Pro Tip:

Grab a morning coffee and take a walk along the beach before the shops open—it’s the perfect way to soak in the peacefulness of Stone Harbor.

Stone Harbor, New Jersey, USA

Known for its charm and elegance, Spring Lake is one of the most exclusive and picturesque spots along the Jersey Shore. With upscale boutiques, stylish shops, and a peaceful stretch of sand, it’s the perfect place to blend beach time with a little retail therapy. Whether you’re strolling through the town center or soaking up the sun by the ocean, Spring Lake makes it easy to unwind in style.

Highlights:

• Quiet, scenic beach with a refined atmosphere
• Upscale shopping and boutique browsing
• Charming town with top-rated hotels and restaurants
• Perfect for couples or a relaxing weekend getaway
• Less crowded than the busier boardwalk destinations

Pro Tip:

Start your day exploring the shops, grab brunch at a local café, then head to the beach for a blissful afternoon of sun and surf. It’s all walkable and wonderfully relaxing.

Spring Lake, New Jersey, USA

For Foodies and Music Lovers

The best thing about Ocean City? Easy—its iconic boardwalkWonderland Pier to thrills at Castaway Cove. Add in tasty boardwalk eats and beachy shops, and you’ve got one of the best family-friendly spots on the Jersey Shore.

Highlights:

• Three-mile boardwalk with rides, arcades, and shops
• Wonderland Pier and Castaway Cove for family fun
• Great dining options from snacks to sit-down meals
• Eight miles of sandy beach for swimming, sunbathing, or a quiet escape
• Perfect mix of lively attractions and laid-back beach time

Pro Tip:

Hit the boardwalk early for a quieter stroll and save the rides and arcade fun for the evening—it’s when Ocean City really comes alive!

Ocean City, New Jersey, USA

One of the fastest-rising stars of the Jersey Shore, Asbury Park has gone through a major glow-up in recent years—and it shows. From its cozy, soft-sand beach to an ever-growing lineup of incredible beachfront restaurants, this spot is now one of the top places to eat, play, and relax by the ocean.

Highlights:

• Soft, welcoming sand and gentle waves
• Beachfront dining with some of NJ’s best food
• Laid-back beach vibe with fun local energy
• Perfect for couples, foodies, and day-trippers
• Steps away from the Asbury Park Boardwalk and music scene

Pro Tip:

Come hungry—this beach town is a foodie's dream. Plan to hit the sand during the day, then stick around for dinner and live music in the evening.

Map: Asbury Park, New Jersey

Family Beaches

If catching waves is at the top of your beach day checklist, Inlet Beach in Manasquan is the place to be. Known for its consistent, challenging surf, this beach is a favorite with local surfers year-round. Whether you're riding the waves or just watching from the sand, it’s an awesome spot to soak in the salty air and ocean views.

Highlights:

• Top-tier surfing conditions all year long
• Great wave action for intermediate and experienced surfers
• Peaceful spot to relax and watch the surf roll in
• Less crowded than bigger boardwalk beaches
• Awesome sunrise views if you're an early riser

Pro Tip:

Bring your board and wetsuit—this beach stays active even in cooler months. Not a surfer? Grab a coffee and enjoy the action from the sand.

Inlet Beach, Manasquan, New Jersey, USA

With five miles of sandy shoreline and non-stop fun, Wildwood Beach is one of the most exciting spots on the Jersey Shore. This wide, kid-friendly beach is perfect for swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, or just soaking up the sun. Plus, it’s backed by the iconic 38-block Wildwood Boardwalk, packed with rides, games, shops, and classic boardwalk eats.

Highlights:

• Five miles of wide, sandy beach
• Plenty of room for swimming, sunbathing, and beach games
• Lifeguards on duty during most of the summer
• Dogs allowed on the beach from October to May
• Steps from the famous Wildwood Boardwalk and its 38 blocks of fun

Pro Tip:

Wildwood’s beaches are free (no tags required), so you can come and go as you please. Stick around for the boardwalk fireworks during summer weekends—they’re a crowd favorite!

Wildwood Beach, 3600 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Phone: 609-770-3422

Known for its clean sand, clear water, and well-kept facilities, Belmar Beach is one of the best-managed beaches on the Jersey Shore. With playgrounds along the sand, top-notch water quality, and tons of family-friendly activities, it’s the perfect beach day destination for all ages.

Highlights:

• Exceptionally clean beach with top-rated water quality
• Playgrounds spaced along the beach for kids
• Swimming, surfing, kayaking, and bodyboarding
• Beach volleyball and other seaside activities
• Scenic boardwalk for walking, jogging, or just relaxing

Pro Tip:

Get there early to snag a spot near one of the playgrounds if you're bringing kids—and don’t forget your board if you’re looking to catch a few waves.

Belmar Beach, 400 Ocean Ave N, Belmar, NJ 07719

Just 12 minutes north of Atlantic City, the beachside town of Brigantine offers a peaceful escape with a beautiful, wide stretch of sand right next to the scenic Absecon Wildlife Management Area. It’s a great choice for families looking for a quieter beach vibe with plenty to do—from swimming and sunbathing to kayaking, sailing, and water sports.

Highlights:

• Wide, clean beach with lifeguards on duty (June 19–Labor Day)
• Great for swimming, boating, kayaking, and more
• Accessible beach mats and beach wheelchairs available in season
• Near shops, restaurants, and the Absecon Wildlife Area
• Relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere just outside Atlantic City

Pro Tip:

Bring your binoculars and check out the nearby wildlife area before or after your beach time—it's a great spot for birdwatching and nature lovers.

Brigantine Beach, 1417 W Brigantine Ave, Brigantine, NJ 08203

Tucked along the Cape May Peninsula, Sunset Beach lives up to its name with some of the most breathtaking sunset views on the entire East Coast. While the beach itself is covered in pebbles—making it less ideal for sunbathing—it’s a favorite for families and beachcombers who come to hunt for Cape May diamonds, smooth quartz crystals hidden among the stones.

Highlights:

• Unmatched sunsets over the Delaware Bay
• Search for Cape May diamonds along the pebbled shoreline
• View the WWI-era shipwreck of the SS Atlantus at low tide
• Daily flag-lowering ceremony honoring veterans (Memorial Day–August)
• Near Cape May Point—perfect for a peaceful beach visit

Pro Tip:

Bring water shoes or sturdy sandals for walking the pebbly beach, and stay for the sunset ceremony—it’s a moving tribute that gives this beach a special kind of soul.

Sunset Beach, 402 Sunset Blvd, Lower Township, NJ 08212