Looking for the best ocean beach in New Jersey for a trip this summer.
We want lots of nice, clean sand, with good swimming conditions.
Some crowds OK, as long as it's not elbow-to-elbow.
Any opinions ?

Everybody has their favorites. Mine is Long Beach Island. Another close runner up is Island Beach State Park.

LBI has many 'flavors' - depending the the street you are on (not just the township).

Island Beach State Park is a sandbar park with 2 lifeguard beaches, no development whatsoever, and plenty of open space; they allow 4wd and dogs along the beach. But, there are no lodging accomodations on the park.

I know many people who go the shore each summer, year after year to the same place. Once you find a wonder place to stay, you go back. AND you never tell anyone. The beach on our little street is almost always empty and never, ever elbow to elbow, with a lifeguard too. The rental property is not expensive and always booked the year in advance. There are at least a few of us families on the street who don't even tell their friends exactly where they stay (i.e., name of place and street) or their family because it is so nice.

I'd stay away from the Northern Beaches (Atlantic Highlands, for example), Point Pleasant, Seaside and Atlantic City.


There are, of course, many NJ beaches that are tacky and crowded, usually associated with a boardwalk. But then again, the shore has so many repeat visitors that

Cape May is a lovely town.It's very picturesque, has a lot of charm and you can walk everywhere. Its quieter and more family oriented than major nightlife, so it also depends what you are looking for. You can always drive over to Wildwood for tacky boardwalk experiences and amusement parks.

There are good restaurants and shopping (and not just t-shirt emporiums).

You also have a choice of hotels, motels and house rentals.

I own a condo in Cape May. Its a beautiful seaside town. You might want to take a look at their web site http://www.capemay.com. It will be hard to find a nice place to stay in any popular town this late into the year. Good luck.

I agree that Island Beach State Park is perhaps the best unspoiled bech in NJ. It is however on the southern tip of the Seaside Park penninsula, and Seaside Park is quite crowded, especially at it's northern end. The towns on the NJ shore vary quite a bit in character, even though they can be right next to each other. Lavalette, which is just norht of Seaside, is quite nice and fairly quiet. Spring Lake is very quiet and upscale, but some of the surrounding towns are somewhat seedy. Long Beach Island has a nice feel to it, and the beaches are very nice. In general, the further south, the less crowded, until you hit Atlantic City (keep away!) and Wildwood. The Jersey Shore has gotten a lot of bad press, but it does have some of the nicest beaches on the east coast.

It depends on what you are looking for...Wildwood is lots of partying and a boardwalk with amusements(the beach is quite a long walk to reach the water-tough to carry on playpens etc. for young children). Ocean City doesn't sell any liquor- more family oriented. Stone Harbor is mostly residential and haa a main part of town with stores and restaurants. The last time I was in Seaside Heights(boardwalk<nice sand, amusements)..there were too many gang memebers harassing young teens on the boardwalk. It may have changed.Be prepared to pay for beach access(unless you can outrun the beach patrol and get to the water's edge!)The choice is yours.

Hi All from a former New Jerseyan, we really liked Island Beach State Park. We would occasionally do day trips there...we lived about 60 miles away. Only drawback was when their parking was full, you could not get in to the park. It was particularly crowded on the weekends and holidays, so get their early. FYI, Judy ;-)

Spring Lakes, NJ is beautiful. We stayed at a b&b there & had a wonderful/relaxing time (www.seacrestbythesea.com). =)