http://www.tcnj.edu/~gruenfel/beach.html
The New Jersey Beaches
Monmouth & Ocean Counties, Summer 2008 updates in
progress!
(I've been providing this service to you since 1995!)
DON'T CALL IT THE _SHORE_!!!
Possible future info: (1) shelling (collecting shells), (2) how to save
your own life when drowning, (3) heat stroke & heat exhaustion
This page has information about the beaches of Monmouth and Ocean
counties - 35 beaches covering over 60 miles (out of 127 miles of
coastline in New Jersey)! "The Beachpage" lists what is available there,
driving directions, phone numbers (often the Chamber of Commerce
and/or Tourism Commission), and other stuff I thought of or you may
suggest. Fees are usually in effect from around Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Also note that often-times in late afternoon (3:30 or 4pm) there is no one
collecting fees; this doesn't really occur until evening at some of the
larger beaches where you have to drive into. Keep in mind, though, that
at these times of the day and of the year that fees are not collected,
there may be no lifeguards on duty.
New Jersey is the only state in the nation that tests it's ocean
waters (weekly, in season) and makes that information available to the
public (800-648-SAND). Daily water-quality testing is done at 188
ocean and 137 bay beaches. At the annual State Of The Shore meeting in
May 2007, a group of environmental and government organizations declared
the beaches of New Jersey to be in "excellent" shape and water quality is
expected to be good this year! New Jersey also has smoking regulations on
the beach. If there are any personal stories or information you wish to
add, please email me and let me know! The Beach Page has been recognized
by Barbara Steele, the director of Ocean County Public Affairs and
Tourism. If you have reason to call her for information (phone given under
"additional phone numbers," please tell her that you found her number on
The Beach Page!
Ocean / Monmouth counties collectively has been rated as one of the
best places in the country (3rd best place to live in 1997 Money Magazine,
23rd best place to raise a family in Reader's Digest, one of the top five
choices for retirement (Ocean County) in Fortune Magazine). Being between
New York City and Philadelphia makes either city easy to access, but also
has the beautiful beaches nearby. In addition to the beaches are many
other exciting places for entertainment, history, camping, and anything
else you can think up.
Want to keep our beaches in excellent shape? Clean Beaches Council, a
nonprofit that promotes beach sustainability, recommends these steps:
1. Leave no trace (if you carry it in, carry it out)
2. Use public restrooms (help keep beach water clean)
3. Dont tread the dunes (prevent beach erosion/use walkovers)
4. Know your limits (swim, surf and boat safely)
5. Respect native habitats (wildlife and plants)
6. Mind your pet (help keep beaches sanitary)
7. Get involved!
Topical Outline (not to be confused with topical sunscreen)
I. INTRODUCTION
II. BEACH LIST
--- A . Monmouth County
--- B . Ocean County
III. SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
--- A . Volleyball
--- B . Surfing
--- C . Beach Wheelchairs and People With Disabilities
--- D . Boating
--- E . Boardwalks
--- F . Lighthouses
--- G . SCUBA Diving
--- H . Running Races
IV. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
--- A . Sunscreen
--- B . Skin Cancer
--- C . Beach Closings
--- D . Littering
--- E . Sand Dunes
--- F . Barrier Islands
--- G . Heat Stroke & Heat Exhaustion
V. DIRECTIONS
VI. ADDITIONAL PHONE NUMBERS
BEACHES FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
(approximately)
UNION BEACH - 732-264-2277 - [free; parking: free but
limited] this info was provided to me: it is a very nice beach situated on
the bay with a nice view of Keansburg. Fishing is allowed toward the end
of the beach. Weekends can get crowded, but not weekdays.
KEANSBURG - 732-495-1400, 732-495-4667 [free; parking: metered &
lots & side-streets] has Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids
Waterpark and a nice view of New York City; can rent some water sports
equipment
SANDY HOOK (GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA) - 732-872-5970
[free but $10 per car; one can walk or bike to the
beach for free, though it would be a long walk] a very popular area, has a
clothing optional beach which, if you are comfortable with your body, I
strongly suggest you go there and take advantage of the OPTION to go nude.
About half to a little over half of the people there do not wear clothes.
If you don't feel comfortable going naked, you don't have to. If you want
the exact location, please email me, but when you go do NOT go to stare--
please have some respect; entire beach area here (with several beaches) is
supposed to be beautiful (I wouldn't know- whenever I am in the area to
go here, I only go to the CO beach). Also has a Visitor's Center /
Historical Center (Fort Hancock) past the beaches with a museum and many
other attractions where you can tour barracks and the recently restored
Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in the country (it
is a nice 30 minutes tour); there is a lot to do & see besides going in
the water such as hiking trails; beach fire permits are available and
SCUBA diving is allowed in some areas
HIGHLANDS - 732-872-1959 [free & free parking] has the first
electrically operated lighthouse in the US (Navesink Light Station) at
Twin Lights Historic Site; I think they have volleyball, basketball, and
tennis; also available are ferry rides along the Hudson River
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP - 732-615-2660 [free & free parking]
uncrowded area
SEA BRIGHT - 732-842-0215/0099 [parking fee or look
for some metered & some free spaces; under
13 years are free] note the palm trees! has volleyball (including
tournaments) and basketball; good night activities such as bars and music
for us party-folk & shopping & restaurants along Ocean Ave; though I've
not been there yet, Tradewinds Night Club is the place to go for music I'm
told; SCUBA diving is allowed in some areas
MONMOUTH BEACH - 732-229-5296 [under 12 years are free;
parking fee] can visit the pool ($) or beach/pool combination pass ($)
LONG BRANCH - 732-229-0924, 732-571-6545 [free under 12 years;
parking fee] many beaches here, including Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park
which has some of EVERYTHING including volleyball, surfing, jetties which
are not very slippery (but be careful) though they don't go too far out,
famous hot-dogs (go to Max's- they are HUGE and are great (better than in
Manhattan!), and SCUBA diving is allowed in some areas; by the way, the
seven presidents, in case you were wondering, were Arthur, Garfield,
Grant, Harrison, Hayes, McKinley, and Wilson
DEAL - 732-531-1454 [free under 12
years; parking: free] can rent bathhouses, use volleyball courts, let the
kids use the playground, and explore the mansions in the area
ALLENHURST - [free for under age 13; parking: free] home to
the Metro Lyric Opera which gives educational programs for all ages; has
some surfing; Corlies Ave is handicapped accessible
LOCH ARBOUR - 732-531-4740 [free for under age 13; parking:
free on nearby streets] perhaps the
tiniest stretch of beach (190 feet long) of any of the little
municipalities in the two counties; has volleyball and surfing
ASBURY PARK - 732-775-0900 [children under 13 are free when
accompanied by an adult; parking: metered] used to be a huge enterprise
but was run-down for many years; efforts were made in the past few years
to get it back on track (for example, trying to attract more people by
charging nothing to get on the beach during parts of the 1993 season, and
reopening the Paramount Theatre, the Convention Hall, and the Baronet
Theatre, with a lot of events) but failed (in my opinion) until about 2004
when it finally all came together with a new pristine boardwalk and plenty
of vendors (though not real beach pizza... oh well!); probably was the
biggest and most happening place in Monmouth & Ocean counties, with Bruce
Springsteen's loyalty here (and you can find the famous Madam Marie's
fortune telling stand here) at the Stone Pony club on Ocean Ave. Listed
as one of the top 10 best NJ beach towns in a survey released on May 22,
2008!
OCEAN GROVE - 732-531-9283 [under 13 are free] is
designated a "national historic landmark" with its
Victorian charm, visit the shops inland a bit in addition to going in
the water, has a 'SOHO' or 'Village' feel (a little) in some parts; there
is a cool seashell store here (is it still there?); has surfing and
kayaking (can rent kayaks- I have yet to do this but I much want to)
BRADLEY BEACH - 732-776-2998 [under 14 are free; parking: free]
home of a cool Memorial Day Parade where a group of participants march
from the parade right up to the beach, complete with beach chairs and
bathing suits; nice area with surfing; saw an AWESOME lightning show here
a few years ago at a friends house (don't worry, we didn't go in the
water); miniature golf, playground on the mile-long boardwalk where you'll
see plenty of people running; plenty of evening concerts during the summer
season here; has beach wheelchairs I'm told
AVON - 732-502-4508 [under 12 years are free; parking: free] may
have been the first in the area to have beach wheelchairs, the kind with
big balloon-wheels that you can go on the sand and even a few inches of
water with, available to beachgoers; several bed & breakfasts here; their
boardwalk has recently been rebuilt; some surfing available
BELMAR - 732-681-1176 [parking: metered
along Ocean Ave, but park on the side streets (they're free and not hard
to find a spot); under 15 years are free] THE place for volleyball in
Monmouth county (see also Seaside in Ocean county) including major
tournaments; many bars and clubs and very commercial- known for college
student party town (Bar A on 16th Ave is a good one, as is D'Jais along
Ocean Ave, and I heard Jason's on Main Street is good also); check out the
beaches between 11th & 16th Ave to look at people and their bathing suits
they are barely wearing; has an unofficial gay beach around 2nd Ave
(though not only gay people go there); many bed & breakfasts; marinas;
used to have the BEST ice cream at Peters Ice Cream Barn which, alas, is
no more; has some surfing and you can rent kayaks, beach whelchairs
SPRING LAKE - 732-449-8005 [parking: free; under 12 years are
free] in direct contrast to Belmar, great place to take a romantic walk
with your partner, or a nice quiet time with your family; nice place for
picnics (though I don't know their policy on them), boardwalk area is not
commercial (though there are nice shops by 3rd Ave); nice hotels and bed &
breakfasts overlooking the water, such as The Breakers, The Sandpiper Inn,
Grand Victorian, The Victoria House, and the Warren Hotel. Alas, one of the
nicest I'm told, the Essex and Sussex Hotel (right along the Ocean
Avenue) is being converted into condominiums (is this complete?); has some
surfing and volleyball and SCUBA diving is allowed in some areas
SEA GIRT - 732-449-7079 [under 12 are free; parking: free]
used to be my place to go since I could not get to the water until
early-afternoon, and by that time they didn't have anyone collecting fees
(don't know if that is still in effect, though); had one of the highest
tides I have even seen one day in June 1996 when I almost drowned; has
some good surfing- try near Philadelphia Blvd; I'm told they also have
beach wheelchairs (see Avon); I heard "The Parker House" is a good place
to stay; don't forget to check out the Victorian-style lighthouse from
1896 (free tours Sunday 1-4pm) as well on Beacon Blvd & Ocean Ave (with
free tours 1-4pm on Sundays)
MANASQUAN - 732-223-1221 [people with physical disabilities
get a 50% discount; parking fee] very beach-town feel with the sand on the
ground all the way to the street; has volleyball; has very good surfing at
southern end; used to be my place 15 or so years ago when I was very
young, going with neighbors- we used to walk on the jetties (among other
things); had a jellyfish problem back then, but I don't think so anymore;
nice houses along the sand; many antique and arts shops including the
Carriage House Antique Center; has stuff going on at night as well which
includes the Algonquin Arts Theatre, and the Red Oak Music Theatre is here
(I used to know a musician in the Red Oak Music Company- don't know if he
still plays bass there); Elks Beach is dedicated to people with physical
disabilities with ramps and vehicle access and beach wheelchairs; SCUBA
diving is allowed in some areas; a very informative book on collecting
shells, The Art Of Shelling, was published here (ask me if you want the
publisher's address)
POINT PLEASANT - 732-892-5813 [free for under 3 or 65+; parking:
free] has the Point Pleasant Antique Emporium
POINT PLEASANT BEACH - 732-892-1000, 732-892-5200, 732-899-2424,
732-892-1118 [reduced prices for children; parking: depends on where but
expect to pay] very popular and commercial area
with many rides on the boardwalk and shops and stuff; good for families
with kids, and there are a _lot_ of kids there; be careful of the ride
resembling a ferris wheel (though much smaller) that has cars that flip
over and over; Jenkinson's may be the most well-known beach in the area
with lots of attractions including a big aquarium ($), a lot of
amusements, and surfing; SCUBA diving is allowed in some areas; Listed as
one of the top 10 best NJ beach towns in a survey released on May 22,
2008!
BAY HEAD - 732-892-4179 [under 12
are free but should be accompanied by an adult; parking: free but limited]
many shops & antique places- check out Shopper's Wharf on Bridge Ave;
surfing available; SCUBA diving is allowed in some areas
MANTOLOKING - 732-899-6600 [free for under 12 years
old; parking: free but only for 2 hours] a surfing permit costs $ but
make sure you are far away from the bathers
NORMANDY BEACH - 732-341-1000 [children 12 and under are free;
seniors who are residents are free; parking: free] this beach is part of
Dover Township, but I know little about it besides that; go & tell me what
you think!
BRICK TOWNSHIP - 732-262-1075/1006 [under 12 are free but
should be accompanied by an adult; parking fee; some places are free to
get in & some to park as well] I'm told this is one of the nicer beaches
in the area; has a gazebo nearby you can reserve (for a few hundred $
plus insurance); also has beach wheelchairs and surfing
DOVER TOWNSHIP (TOMS RIVER) - 732-341-1000 [parking: free; pool:
$] has volleyball, but I think it might cost you something; might still
have swimming lessons at the pool for a fee; if you EVER get a chance,
take a "mini-cruise" on the River Lady- an 85-foot paddle-wheeler which
leaves from downtown Toms River and goes through the Barnegat Bay all the
way past the route 37 bridge in Seaside (depending on the trip you want)
costing $10 to $30 I think; a small boardwalk is here as well
ISLAND HEIGHTS - 732-270-6415 I have no idea about this area (sorry);
please email me in you have any info
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP - 732-269-4456 [under 12 are free, seniors who
are residents are free but must get a badge; parking: metered] it's a
small beach here
LAVALLETTE - 732-793-2100, [under 12 are free; parking: free
on street] has a nice boardwalk, surfing and a small-town feel, though I
haven't been there in nearly 10 years; might still have swim lessons
SEASIDE HEIGHTS - 800-SEASHOR [FREE Wed & Thu (please confirm
this); parking: metered or cheapest you can find in a lot, but keep
reading for free parking)] THE place for volleyball, along with Seaside
Park, in Ocean County (see also Belmar in Monmouth County) including major
tournaments; very popular and commercial area with excellent boardwalk
amusements (I sometimes go to Casino Pier- check out The Magical Carousel
Shoppe) and nightclubs & general nightlife overall; party-town like Belmar
(with more attractions) but the crowd is somewhat younger- more high
school and late teens (there is a not too flattering name for this beach
because of all the people "making new friends" here, but I heard on good
authority that Seaside area IS doing something about their image problem
and we should expect the beach area to be nicer); Water Works, a cool
water park with water-slides & stuff is a few blocks from the water on
Ocean & Grant (near Casino Pier, which has surfing)- costs something like
$8.00 for 2 hours, but this was a few years ago; check out Smuggler's Quay
miniature golf (Central & Grant); there IS free parking on the island,
though you have to walk a bit to get to the beach, still it is better than
paying $8.00 or so to park (plus you get some exercise) provided you
didn't do what I did a few years back during 100+ degree weather and try
to walk on the pavement with BARE FEET, resulting in 2nd degree burns &
big blisters on the soles of my feet; just heard from a reliable source
that they also have beach wheelchairs - call 732-793-4343 to reserve one
for free; many families or groups of friends often rent a house for a week
or so but if you don't want to stay that long, they have many hotels &
motels; surfing is at the north side
SEASIDE PARK - 732-793-0234, 732-830-2100 [under 12 are free;
parking: metered in some places or cheapest you can find in a lot] THE
place for volleyball, along with Seaside Heights, in Ocean County (see
also Belmar in Monmouth County) including major tournaments; VERY similar
to Seaside Heights (with amusements) and in fact you do not know where one
ends and the other begins, especially since the boardwalk run
uninterrupted through both and the northern part of Seaside Park is
festive, while the southern part is quieter; I almost took a bungee jump
here until I saw the price (something like $50.00!); Seaside (including
Seaside Heights and Seaside Park) doesn't close in the summer (the
boardwalk with the attractions & stuff) until 2:00 or 3:00 am; I heard
that the Windjammer Motor Inn is a nice place to stay
ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK (SOUTH SEASIDE PARK) - 732-793-1689 for
the nature center (tours), 732-793-0506 for canoe & kayak tour
reservations [$6 per car weekday & $7 weekends; $4 per car out of season;
Tuesdays might still be free (please confirm these prices)] - A
non-commercial 2,000+ acre protected area open all year round; three areas
here- the Northern Natural Area is mainly for tours of the beautiful
nature and I think there is a governor's house somewhere here; Center
(Recreation Area) is for bathing and has two areas and parking lots and is
nice to take a walk at, and they have "surf chairs" for the handicapped;
Southern Natural Area has no lifeguards but you can fish and have open
fires and barbecues (like I did last summer), just make sure the fires are
50 feet east of the dune line (they can be pretty protective of this
area), you can have your beach buggy or 4-wheel drive vehicle on the sand
here, and you have a nice view of Barnegat Lighthouse if you go to the end
and walk on the sand- I suggest you do this at least once; can get PACKED
on weekends when it is hot (may want to call because they will only let in
a certain amount of cars); please stay off the dunes; there is surfing...
somewhere; talk to someone at the welcome booth- there are a LOT of
non-commercialized activities to do here and you should take advantage of
them; go for a canoe & kayak tour free on Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday
BARNEGAT LIGHT 609-494-9196 - [children
under 11 are free; parking: on side streets] has "Old Barney," the
172-foot tall lighthouse standing since 1858; don't remember how much it
costs to get in, but it is very cheap, and you have a breathtaking view of
the surrounding area; has beach wheelchairs (see Avon); has marinas and
many places for boating; has basketball, tennis, & volleyball; has antique
and crafts shops mostly along Bay Avenue
MANAHAWKIN / WARETOWN / STAFFORD - 609-597-2303; many marinas
LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP - 609-361-1200 [under 12 years and over
65 years are free] LBI has been recognized by "Dr. Beach" as one of the
top 20 beaches in the nation; has 12 miles of beaches including the towns
of Loveladies, Brighton Beach, Holgate, and many others; has beach
wheelchairs, southern area is more commercialized than the
northern area. This is the area those "LBI" shirts are referring to that
you see many people wearing
HARVEY CEDARS - 609-494-6905 [under 12 area free; parking: on
side streets] has surfing here, nice waves; has beach wheelchairs (reserve
in advance), has volleyball, baseball, playground for kids, and a paved
fitness track
SURF CITY - 609-494-3064 [under 12 years and over 65 years are
free; parking: on street] Yes our very own Surf City with excellent sand
and waves and of course surfing, has basketball, fishing. In spring 2007,
hundreds of World War I era military munitions were found buried in the
sand, and a great effort to remove them was made successfully. These were
not "unexploded ordinances" that were fired and waiting to explode, but
instead were discarded ones, and the beaches should now be regarded as
safe. More were found in May 2008, but the beaches are not scheduled to
be closed due to inspections being conducted nearly every day. If you are
concerned, I'd speak with a town official; I personally wouldn't have a
problem going there.
SHIP BOTTOM - 609-494-1614 [under 12 years are free; 65 and over
get a free badge but must pay $1 for replacements (that's what I'm told;
if you confirm this please let me know); parking: on streets and in the
area] many surfing rental places; marinas, sailing, jet skiing rentals,
and SCUBA diving is allowed in some areas; has beach wheelchairs (see
Avon); has the Original Ron Jon Surf Shop, the other of which is in Cocoa
Beach, Florida (which I was at in May 1996 and is also great); (see also
Surf City above for information on the military munitions)
BEACH HAVEN - 609-492-0111 [under 12 years and over 65 years
are free; parking is limited] they have great funnel cakes, says a friend;
also has great surfing, I'm told, as well as tennis, softball, and
basketball; has beach wheelchairs (see Avon); many bed & breakfasts &
Victorian charm; has miniature golf & other amusements including Fantasy
Island Amusement Park & Casino Arcade; marinas as well; beach fire permits
are available; Listed as one of the top 10 best NJ beach towns in a survey
released on May 22, 2008!
Volleyball
The New Jersey Beaches host some of the biggest volleyball tournaments
in the world. Belmar and Seaside often attract people such as Sinjin
Smith, Randy Stoklos, Karch Kiraly, and Kent Steffes (and just where has
Smith been hiding out?). Other professional tournaments are sometimes in
Point Pleasant Beach and Sandy Hook. When going to play volleyball, make
sure you bring your ball, and depending on where you go, also bring your
boundary lines and a net. The beaches where volleyball is bigger (for
example, Seaside and Belmar) have the nets up already and have many
courts. In addition to the above, the following beaches have volleyball:
Avon, Long Beach Township, Brick, Bradley Beach, Manasquan, Middletown
Township, and Seven Presidents in Long Branch.
Surfing
I am not a surfer, so I really don't know too much about it, but here are
some places where you can go: Sea Girt (New York Ave), Manasquan, Beach
Haven, Seaside Heights (Casino Pier), Seaside Park, Lavallette, Harvey
Cedars, Long Branch (Seven Presidents). Here are some other places you
can check out: Spring Lake, Belmar, Ship Bottom, Ocean Grove, Avon,
Bradley Beach, Sandy Hook, Point Pleasant Beach (Jenkinson's), Barnegat
Light, Bay Head, Brick Township, Island Beach State Park, Surf City.
Beach Wheelchairs and People With
Physical Disabilities
Beach wheelchairs are wheelchairs that have big balloon-like wheels that
enable the passanger to wheel right onto the beach. Some of them can even
get you into a few inches of water, though any more than that and you will
probably float. Most major beaches in Ocean & Monmouth county now have
these wheelchairs, with a varying amount of them. Some have both adult and
juveniles sizes. You would want to call ahead to make sure they are
available. The beaches that have at least one of them (to my knowledge)
are the following: Avon, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Beach Haven Crest,
Beach Haven Gardens, Beach Haven Park, Beach Haven Terrace, Bradley Beach,
Brant Beach, Brick Township, The Dunes, Harvey Cedars, Holgate, Long Beach
Township, Loveladies, Manasquan, North Beach Haven, Peahala Park, Seaside
Heights, Ship Bottom, Surf City. Long Branch offers free admission and
Manasquan offers a 50% discount to people with physical disabilities. In
addition, Elks Beach in Manasquan is dedicated to people with physical
disabilities by offering ramps and vehicle access. Call the Southern
Ocean County Chamber of Commerce for a flyer for people with disabilities
listing motels, restaurants, and beaches that are accessible & where to
get beach wheelchairs.
Boating
Don't know too much about this subject, but I heard that boating is
available in Barnegat, Belmar, Berkeley Township, Long Beach
Township, Manasquan, Manatoloking, Point Pleasant, and Ship Bottom. As
for renting boats, you may try any of the places above, but the places I am
told that do have boats for rent are Belmar, Highlands, and Point
Pleasant Beach.
Boardwalks
Since BOARDWALKS were invented in New Jersey and there are several beaches
where you can enjoy them, this section simply lists the towns that have
them on the ocean. Note that there are some adjacent to rivers (Island
Heights for example), but this information is about the OCEAN! While Toms
River (Dover Township) has a smaller stretch of boardwalk, the longer and
more well-known ones are in Lavallette, Seaside Heights/Seaside Park, and
Point Pleasant Beach. Call the Ocean County Public Affairs at
732-929-2000 for a brochure listing boardwalks of Ocean County and what
they offer
Lighthouses
There has been quite a resurgence in the interest in lighthouses recently.
New Jersey has at least nine of the beacons, with four of them in the
Ocean-Monmouth area. The Sandy Hook lighthouse dates back to a fort from
colonial times as well as a prior military base. It is the oldest
operating lighthouse in the U.S. (circa 1764) and is the ONLY lighthouse
to appear on MORE THAN one U.S. postage stamp (just a little bit of trivia
for you- and I know of a reliable stamp shop in Toms River than can get
them for you). The Twin Lights of Navesink is the first electronically
operated lighthouse in the U.S., dating back to 1828. The Sea Girt
lighthouse is an all-brick Victorian style house, dating back to 1896.
Finally is "Old Barney," the 172-foot tall lighthouse of Barnegat Light,
dating back to 1858. In June 2003, the United States Postal Service issued
five new stamps of the southeast U.S. lighthouses, including the one I
visited in Savannah in November 2001, Tybee Island lighthouse! If you
want information on purchasing them, let me know.
SCUBA Diving
Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (in case you were wondering
what SCUBA stood for). I am a certified Open Water (SCUBA) diver, through
PADI, one of the certifying agencies. You must be certified to SCUBA
dive, even if you think you are an excellent swimmer. Because training
and certification is necessary, SCUBA is actually a very safe activity.
Some resorts offer SCUBA diving certification (which is actually a junior
level Open Water certification). I was certified through Blue Horizons
Dive Center in Philadelphia. Contact me if you want more information.
For your information, the following beaches allow SCUBA diving: Sandy
Hook, Sea Bright, Long Branch, Spring Lake, Manasquan, Point Pleasant
Beach, Bay Head, Ship Bottom
Running Races
I love running and have been doing it consistently since around January
2001, competing in a few races a year, starting a running club, a 1 mile
race, and helping start a 5K race. There are plenty of races to choose
from at the beach (and don't worry, they generally are not run on the
sand!). Even if you are a slow runner, you are welcome to compete (just
don't start at the front of the line and block the fast racers!). I have
a list of local races below in chronological order. Please note that the
dates are approximate, as the exact date changes from year to year (the
ones listed are for 2006). This is not a comprehensive list, and please
check with the race director/organizers in advance.
* February 18 - Manasquan - Mid Winter Beach Run 2 miler to benefit
Manasquan First Aid Squad - start on 1st Avenue by Leggert's Bar.
* April 15 - Long Branch (Seven Presidents Park) - Sergeant Pat's Day
5K + walk + kid's race - this is a championship race, so the competition
will be tough.
* April 22 - Seaside Heights to Asbury Park - Jersey Shore Relay of up
to 5-person teams (legs are 4-7 miles for a total of 25 miles) to benefit
Special Olympics. Run through Ortley Beach, Lavallette, Mantoloking,
Brick Beach, Bay Head, Pt. Pleasant Beach, Brielle, Manasquan, Sea Girt,
Spring Lake, Belmar, Avon, Bradley Beach, and Ocean Grove - start at Aztec
Ocean Resort.
* April 30 - Long Branch - New Jersey Marathon & Half-Marathon &
2-person Marathon Relay.
* May 14 - Highlands / Sandy Hook - Bahrs 5 Miler.
* May 20 - Bay Head 5K Memory Run to fight Leukemia - start at Bay
Head Firehouse.
* May 27 - Spring Lake 5 miler + kids race to benefit Spring Lake's
recreation program, schools, and volunteer organizations - start at Ocean
& Sussex Avenues - registration closes months early as the race fills up
quickly with nearly 10,000 racers (I'm told it is the largest 5 miler in
the country!).
* July 8 - Belmar Five miler + kids races + 2 mile fitness walk -
start at Ocean & 5th Avenues.
* August 6 - Sea Girt 5K + kid's fun run + fitness walk - start at Sea
Girt Plaza.
* September 4 - Long Branch (Pier Village) 5K to benefit Habitat For
Humanity of Long Branch.
* October 15 - Seaside Heights - Seaside Half Marathon & 5K.
* October 22 - Long Branch (Seven Presidents Park) - Trick Or Trot 4
miler to benefit Monmouth County Foodbank.
* December 3 - Pt. Pleasant - Reindeer Romp 5K.
* December 31 - Asbury Park 5 mile run + 10 mile racewalk + 5 mile
healthwalk - start at Convention Hall/Howard Johnson's Restaurant on Ocean
Avenue.
* December 31 - Belmar (Bar Anticipation / Lake Como) - about 3 mile
walk/run.
* December 31/January 1 - Long Branch Happy New Year Midnight Run fun
run/walk up to 4 miles - start at Ocean Promenade.
A few words about... Sunscreen:
USE IT OR YOU WILL BURN!!! The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) given is for
UV-B (ultraviolet-B rays), but make sure what you buy also protects
against UV-A. Apply it 30 minutes BEFORE you get out in the sun - give it
time to seep in and don't forget ears, balding heads, lips, backs of
hands, and the tops of feet. And use a FULL OUNCE! Using less will NOT
give you as much protection. Note that waterproof and water-resistant mean
different things. Sunscreens are NOT waterproof. Some ARE
water-resistant, but you will still need to reapply them if you have been
swimming or sweating for 90 minutes. If you find an old bottle of
sunscreen, throw it away (even if it still has that sunscreen smell!) if
it doesn't have an expiration date. Children under 2 should not use
regular sunscreen- consult a doctor about this, and keep the kids out of
direct sunlight. Also note that if you are African and you think you can
get away with not using sunscreen, you are wrong. You may not burn as
easily, but you will still get the UV rays from the sun. Personally, I
feel that a plain sunburn is the lesser of the two evils when compared to
skin cancer. A few effective ingredients to look for include Parsol 1789
(a.k.a. avobenzone), benzophenones (like oxybenzone), sulisobenzone, the
new Helioplex, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. ALSO, do not forget your
sunglasses! No need to spend a lot of money on them, just make sure they
block 99-100% of ultraviolet (UV) rays.
A few words about... Skin Cancer:
One out of every three cases of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. is skin
cancer. Most can be cured, especially with early detection. If you
notice any skin blemishes, especially one that lasts over 3 weeks, or a
mole that changes appearance in size, color, texture, shape, or sensation,
consult your physician immediately. These are just SOME of the warning
signs. If you spend much time outdoors or trying to tan, have light skin
or eyes or hair, have a family history of skin cancer or childhood history
of severe sunburns, freckle or sunburn easily, you are at a higher risk
than normal. Some medications as well put one at risk. For protection,
besides sunscreen, make sure to wear sunglasses with UVA & UVB protection
& a hat with a wide brim, and try to avoid outdoor exposure between 10am &
2pm.
A few words about... Beach Closings:
Thousands of beaches were closed last summer throughout the country & the world. Fortunately, though,
there were very few in the state of New Jersey. Beaches are closed when fecal coliform bacteria, the
bacteria found in sewage, reaches a high level. New Jersey state standards prohibit swimming when
bacteria levels are above 200 coliform colonies per 100 milliliters of
test water. Heavy rains may flush pollutants into the waters and may
increase this level, but the level may return to normal after a day or two.
A few words about... Littering:
Rather than tell you to PLEASE clean up after yourself, I thought I would
post how long it takes some common objects, which people often "forget"
to throw away on the beach, to decompose. Orange peel: 2 to 20 weeks;
plastic coated paper: 1-2 years; plastic bags: 10-20 years; plastic film:
20-30 years; nylon fabric: 30-40 years; aluminum cans: 80-100 years.
Cigarette filters also create health problems when rain pushes them into
storm drains to poison fish and other wildlife.
A few words about... Sand Dunes:
Please be careful and DO NOT walk on sand dunes. They help provide
protection from the air and the water-- the winds and the waves. When
waves carry sand onto to shoreline, the wind blows it inland and it
begins to form a dune. Plants help to keep the dune secure with their
long roots. The natural storm protection of these dunes are hampered when
people walk or drive over them.
A few words about... Barrier Islands:
A large majority of the Ocean County beaches have two barrier islands
protecting the mainland on the east side: Long Beach Island on the
southern part, and the island (I forget the name) with Seaside area.
Between these islands and the mainland is the Barnegat Bay. These
islands were shaped by the winds and the waves. They provide protection
for the mainland from storms around the coastal area.
The best bet is to take the Garden State Parkway (GSP), especially if you
have to travel a long way. You could take route 9, but I don't recommend
it, especially in the southern areas. Please note that you will hit the most
traffic to the beach on weekends between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, and will hit the most
traffic returning from the beach on late Sunday and early Monday morning. Be safe
when driving and know that in New Jersey, if your windshield wipers are on, your
headlights must be on as well.
UNION BEACH, KEANSBURG, SANDY HOOK, HIGHLANDS
- exit 117 to route 36
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP - exit 117 or 114 to route 35-S
SEA BRIGHT - exit 117 to route 36 or exit 109 to route 520-E
MONMOUTH BEACH, LONG BRANCH - exit 105 to route 36
DEAL, ALLENHURST, LOCK ARBOUR - exit 105 to route 36 to route 71-S
ASBURY PARK, OCEAN GROVE, BRADLEY BEACH, AVON, BELMAR - exit 102 to
route 71-S or exit 98 to route 138-E (it will become route 138 when you
see traffic lights) and follow signs or take route 195-E (watch your
speed) to route 138-E and follow signs or take route 18-S to route 138-E
and follow signs
SPRING LAKE, SEA GIRT, MANASQUAN - exit 98 to route 138-E (it will
become route 138 when you see traffic lights) to route 71-S or take route
195-E (watch your speed) to route 138-E and follow signs or take route
18-S to route 138-E and follow signs
POINT PLEASANT, POINT PLEASANT BEACH, BAY HEAD, MANTOLOKING,
NORMANDY BEACH - exit 90 to route 88-E to route 35-S or take route 34-S
BRICK TOWNSHIP - exit 90 to route 88-E or exit 82 to route 37-E
(watch your speed) or take route 9-S to route 166-S to route 37-E (watch
your speed)
DOVER TOWNSHIP (TOMS RIVER), ISLAND HEIGHTS - exit 82 to route 37-E
(watch your speed) or take route 9-S to route 166-S to route 37-E (watch
your speed)
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP - exit 83 to route 9-S (or route 166)
LAVALLETTE, SEASIDE HEIGHTS, SEASIDE PARK, ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK
(SOUTH SEASIDE PARK) - exit 82 to route 37-E (watch your speed) over the
bridge to route 35 or take route 9-S to route 166-S to route 37-E (watch
your speed) over the bridge to route 35
BARNEGAT LIGHT, MANAHAWKIN / WARETOWN, LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, HARVEY
CEDARS, SURF CITY - exit 63 to route 72 over the bridge (do it once at
night to see the awesome lights) to Long Beach Blvd-N or take route 9-S to
eoute 166-S (which becomes route 9-S again) to route 72 over the bridge
to Long Beach Blvd-N
SHIP BOTTOM, BEACH HAVEN - exit 63 to route 72 over the bridge (do it
once at night to see the awesome lights) to Long Beach Blvd-S or take
route 9-S to route 166-S (which becomes route 9-S again) to route 72 over
the bridge to Long Beach Blvd-N
---Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce: 732-741-0055
---Jersey Shore Vacation magazine (Northern Ocean & Monmouth Counties):
732-892-1276
---Monmouth County Department of Public Information / Tourism: 800-523-2587
(requests for tourism guide), 732-431-7476 (info & questions- contact: Pat Padula)
---Monmouth County Parks System: 732-842-4000
---Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce: 732-747-9630
---New Jersey Beach Guide: 800-VISIT-NJ
---Ocean County Public Affairs and Tourism: 800-ENJOY33 (requests for
tourism guide), 732-506-5050 (info & questions- contact: Barbara W.
Steele); NOTE- Barbara Steele actually commended me for my work on The
Beach Page- if you reach her, please thank her & tell her that I directed
you to her through The Beach Page!
---Shore Region Tourism Council: 732-BIG-WAVE (contact: Cheryl Swaney)
---Southern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce: 732-974-1151
---Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce: 609-494-7211 (contact: Jeanne
DiPaola), 800-292-6372; NOTE: Ask about their flyer for people with
disabilities listing motels, restaurants, and beaches that are accessible
& where to get beach wheelchairs
---Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce: 732-349-0220 (contact: Lucy
Greene)
---Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce: 732-462-3030
updates for 2007... work in progress notes:
Heat Stroke & Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is the lesser of the
two. It occurs when the body cannot cool itself as fast as it is heating
up. One MAJOR piece that contributes to this are medications. Make sure
you speak with the person who prescribes your medications to find out the
effects it may have when you are out in the hot sun. Please note that
even over-the-counter medications can have similar effects, so read all
the warnings that are on the labels.
Send corrections, comments, suggestions, revised info, etc. to me, Kevin Gruenfeld, by going
Back to Kevin's
Homepage, scrolling down to the bottom, and sending an email from
there.
Created on 22.MAY.1995 with yearly updates, last update 01.JUN.2008
Monmouth County:
Ocean County: