Summer is finally upon us. And that means it’s time to enjoy New Jersey’s greatest natural and cultural asset — the Jersey Shore.
The Garden State might as well be renamed the Beach State, because we have more than 140 miles of absolutely gorgeous shoreline with supreme sandy beaches. New Jersey has such an abundance of beach wealth that picking which beach to go to can sometimes be overwhelming.
But fear not, beach-lovers! Because like a good can of sun tan lotion, we’ve got you covered. Your trusty beach bums have once again hit the Garden State Parkway to go down the shore and rank every single beach in New Jersey.
We, Jeremy Schneider and Bobby Olivier, did what we always do: blaze the beaches, scout the sand and watch the waves, from Sandy Hook all the way down to Cape May at Exit 0 on the Garden State Parkway. We judged only oceanfront beaches (no bay, lake or riverfront) on beach quality, cleanliness, crowd type and size, parking availability, and surrounding food, drink and recreation. We went to one beach per town — for example, Ortley Beach was the representative for Toms River and Island Beach State Park checks in for Berkeley Township. After much clamoring, Brick has been added to the beach list!
Not happy with where your favorite beach landed? Just remember, being the worst beach in New Jersey is kind of like being the worst pizza in New Jersey — it’s still better than most you’d find anywhere else. And if we underrated it, at least that will keep the bennies away, right?
So load up that beach bag with sun tan lotion, a towel and maybe a Wawa hoagie or two. It’s a beach day.
45. Bay Head
One beach had to be the worst and this year it’s Bay Head: A beautiful little beach town, sure, but its little beach is dull bordering on depressing. All pebbles, extremely narrow — unless you’re vacationing here or looking for Springsteen , keep on driving.
44. Mantoloking
Call it Bay Head South: Rich people, poor beach. Keep on driving.
43. Brigantine
Atlantic City unsurprisingly dominates and defines all the Atlantic County beaches, and Brigantine is no different — the AC skyline looms to the south. But Brigantine feels more isolated and natural than any other beach on this stretch, perhaps because it’s separated from the city by the Brigantine Bridge. It’s a nice place to go if you want to be close to the nightlife but want to get away from it during the day. The beach itself is flat and clean enough, but mostly unremarkable.
42. Monmouth Beach
Standing by what we say every year, with a new caveat: While there is zero reason to visit Monmouth Beach unless you live within walking distance, the beach did appear better kept upon our visit this year. Though it’s still a sliver of sand hidden behind an imposing rock wall on Route 36, surrounded by very expensive beach homes. Parking is minimal besides a small municipal lot. There is nothing to do other than wonder why such wealthy residents don’t petition for a nicer beach. Though the privacy is a plus.
41. Deal
Deal is just such an odd place. All those gorgeous modern mansions, which are often unoccupied — the only people you see in Deal are construction workers fixing up the opulent spots. And good luck finding Deal’s public beach access amid all the private pathways. We found access at Darlington Avenue, which led to a steep “path,” if you could call it that, down to the beach. Not exactly safe. Once on the beach, which is quite large, there’s heaps of space. It feels like an exclusive place because it largely is. Though it’s a pebbly beach, it’s generally well maintained.
40. Margate City
Of all the beaches in the world, how many are home to a 65-foot wooden elephant? Lucy the Elephant is one of the greatest roadside attractions in the United States. It is a trip to see her peeking out over the sand when lounging at Margate City. A burger and twist cone at Margate Dairy Bar is a trip as well. The beach itself here? Totally fine, but nothing to write home about.
39. Wildwood
Wildwood is the most overrated beach in New Jersey. I say this every year, get flack for it every year and know I’m right every year. Every time I hit this beloved beach for this assignment, I try to do so with an open mind. Every time, it disappoints. Yes, it is home to one of the greatest boardwalks in the state. But a boardwalk does not a great beach make. The interminable walk from the boardwalk to the water on the far from pristine sand is so long they literally have beach taxis. Beach taxis! We drove to the beach, we don’t need to drive to the water.
38. Atlantic City
Another example of an excellent boardwalk accompanying a less-than-excellent beach. And there may be no better place for people-watching in all of the Garden State than the AC boardwalk. Where else can you find bachelorette parties, European tourists, grandmas heading to the penny slots and casual beach-goers all in one place? And there are a bunch of cats that live under the boardwalk! But the sand itself is on the dirtier side, though the beach was cleaner than last year.
37. Ventnor City
Ventnor City is as close as you can get to Atlantic City without actually being in New Jersey’s version of Sin City, yet this stretch of beach has a feel all it’s own. It’s much quieter and way more low-key, and the sand is noticeably cleaner. The boardwalk is miles different than its big brother to the north, simple and serene. But if you’re looking for a wild night, it’s just a short walk up the boardwalk.
36. Point Pleasant Beach
Yes, there is plenty to do at Point Pleasant, especially if you’re loading the family into your minivan. Yes, Jenkinson’s is loaded with rides, games, a terrific aquarium and the boardwalk overflows with tasty food. But as a beach itself, Point just isn’t great. Pebbly, rough break to the surf, the summer crowds (see: Bennies) are huge, parking becomes impossible. For a true beach day, you’re better off heading elsewhere. But if you want some Chippie’s fries, arcade games and a stuffed Peppa Pig, Point is tough to beat.
35. Strathmere
Parking is insanely limited here, essentially limited to one row of spots along Commonwealth Avenue. But if you are able to find a parking spot, you won’t have to worry about badge-checkers. This is one of New Jersey’s seven free beaches ! Strathmere has a distinctly isolated feel to it, you almost feel like you’re on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. And if you want a libation, Twisties Tavern on the Bay is one of the best dive bars in the state, while The Deauville Inn is is on the fancier side and a perfect place to enjoy an orange crush as the sun sets on the Strathmere Bay.
34. Belmar
While some surrounding northern Jersey Shore beaches span barely a few blocks, Belmar is enormous — so it’s hard to believe how the popular party town still fills up and over with rambunctious crowds throughout the summer. While not every block of the sprawling sand is necessarily a bacchanal, the droves of teens and day-trippers frequenting Belmar make it less-than-ideal for folks eyeing for a quiet day at the Jersey Shore. But hey, if getting a little crazy is your scene, there’s plenty to do — D’Jai’s being the most, uh, famous Belmar shorefront bar. For food, there’s plenty: Mama Luke’s, Playa Bowls, Bubbakoos burritos. It’s easy to spend a day in Belmar, but get there early: Even with all the extra streets, parking always fills up.
33. Avon-By-The-Sea
Look for the Victorian globular lamps lining the boardwalk and you’ll know you’ve found Avon — and it’s pronounced “Ah-von,” not “Ay-von.” It’s a solid, clean beach with a nice, flat slope to the ocean — a rarity among many of the northern Jersey Shore beaches. If you’re lucky enough to find parking — spots among the affluent surrounding neighborhood can be utterly brutal spend the day on the sand then venture to the nearby Main Street for a sweet stop at the longstanding Macaroon Shop.
32. Ortley Beach
A nice wide and clean beach with solid parking, Ortley Beach is a Jersey Shore diamond in the rough. Just north of lively Seaside Heights, things are unsurprisingly more laid-back here. The nice little boardwalk here is perfect for strolling. But if you’re looking for games and food on the boardwalk, you’ll have to head south to Seaside.
31. Longport
If we’re keeping it real, most of the beaches in the region south of Atlantic City but north of Strathmere kind of blend together. Longport is pretty much right in the middle of the pack. Decently sized and mellow vibes make it a decent beach, but the parking is limited as are nearby entertainment options.
30. Wildwood Crest
If you’re still mad about what I said about Wildwood, maybe this will make you feel better. While Wildwood Crest lacks Wildwood’s exceptional boardwalk, it’s a much cleaner and more pleasant beach. Wildwood Crest is very family-friendly and full of hotels. The bad news is that makes parking pretty tricky.
29. Seaside Heights
After years of saying Seaside Heights was overrated, this year my visit was something of a disappointment. While the boardwalk was stellar as always (a slice at Maruca’s and cheesesteak at Midway is the ultimate boardwalk food bang-bang) the beach itself was less than pristine. Snooki was right, never fall in love at the Jersey Shore .
28. Sea Girt
Sea Girt is often forgotten, as it’s wedged between larger and more popular Spring Lake and Manasquan. With that, Sea Girt is more or less a locals-only, clean and powdery beach populated by families and surrounded by beautiful homes with perfectly manicured lawns. The ever-popular bar and restaurant The Parker House stands a few blocks away, drawing large crowds. Between Parker House and local beachgoers, the limited parking goes very quickly.
27. Long Branch
Long Branch, which grows ritzier by the month with endless luxury construction, remains one of the northern Jersey Shore’s most popular destinations for day-trippers and teens. The place is packed throughout the summer and is easily one of the Shore’s rowdiest stretches of sand. But there’s plenty to do, as Pier Village continues to expand with upscale eateries and shops — essentially an outdoor mall adjacent to the sand. If you’ve visiting Long Branch on a summer weekend, prepare to park far away and manage some serious crowds. The beach itself is average.
26. Brick
Brick is no longer the new kid on the block — we finally added the beach to the rankings last year. Once again, it’s a completely adequate place for a beach day. The sand here is soft and clean, and there very accessible bathrooms. Also, no tents are allowed on this beach if that’s important to you! Parking can get limited, though.
25. Spring Lake
Spring Lake sits just south of Belmar but feels worlds away — sleepier, far more affluent, the crowd is older, the beach is a little cleaner and well-maintained lawns with flagpoles and waving stars and stripes line Ocean Avenue. Man, some of the houses in Spring Lake are unreal. It’s a fine beach and a long beach for sure, but offers little in the way of recreation or food. If you’re looking to eat, drink or do anything else, you’ll be venturing into town.
24. North Wildwood
The unquestioned best of the Wildwood beach bunch — the Goldilocks of Wildwood, if you will. North Wildwood is a nice balance of beach quality (cleaner and leaner than Wildwood proper) and entertainment options. If you want to be close to Wildwood’s boardwalk but want to be even closer to a good beach, this is your move.
23. Ocean City
It was bittersweet to visit Ocean City’s vaunted boardwalk this year — the first summer since 1965 without Gillian’s Wonderland Pier . But even without the iconic old-school amusement park, Ocean City is one of the best boardwalks in the world and a very fun place to visit. The newest iteration of Bakeria 1010 , helmed by Mike Fitzick, is in town and absolutely worth a visit. The beach is on the smaller side, and the massive pipes jutting out into the water don’t exactly scream natural beauty. But if you head south down the coastline the beach does get better.
22. Long Beach Township
There aren’t many better places to watch the waves in New Jersey than Long Beach Township’s pavilion, with shady benches providing a perfect perch. But there aren’t many worse places to find parking on LBI. Keep your eyes peeled or you might get a ticket. But still, even the worst beach on Long Beach Island is pretty damn good.
21. Sea Isle City
One of the more underrated beaches and towns of the Jersey Shore, Sea Isle City features an excellent combination of soft sand and scenic dunes plus excellent dining and entertainment options. The paved promenade (not a boardwalk!) is fun to stroll down and Fish Alley is loaded with a plethora of scrumptious seafood and Italian food options. Mike’s Seafood is a personal favorite for crispy fried clams in a no-frills dock environment. Once again, the only real drawback here is limited parking.
20. Asbury Park
While we love the culinary and entertainment scenes at the Jersey Shore’s trendiest shorefront, a beach day in Asbury Park is now utterly overrun by locals, daytrippers and vacationing tourists. Parking anywhere near the bustling boardwalk on a summer weekend is pure chaos, punctuated by the flashy Asbury Ocean Club high-rise recently offering “premium indoor parking” for as much as $100 a car. We highly recommend parking somewhere else in town and riding an electric scooter (many hubs are now available) or catching an Uber over to Ocean Avenue, where the beach — which is rather coarse, and not particularly well-kept — is packed and the boardwalk overflows with restaurants, shops, bars and the wonderful Silver Ball Museum pinball arcade. Asbury Park remains a beaming Jersey Shore destination, sure, but it’s a sincere hassle, too.
19. Seaside Park
Of all the “little brother beaches” of the Jersey Shore, this one is the best. Seaside Park is a shockingly great beach that is close enough to Seaside Heights that you can walk the boardwalk to get there, but far enough to feel more mellow. The beach is nice and long as well, which lends itself to more parking. It doesn’t have Seaside Height’s boardwalk, but it does have Chef Mike’s ABG , one of the best restaurants down the shore. Enjoy it while you can this summer, it’s closing at the end of the year .
18. Allenhurst
Everything about Allenhurst is tiny and cute. The beach is tiny and cute (and clean). The cabanas that define the beach are tiny and cute. The barely three-block boardwalk is tiny and cute. And it’s all hidden in a blink-and-you-miss-it town north of Asbury Park (like neighboring Loch Arbour, Allenhurst really should be folded into another town). If you’re not a local or a member of the Allenhurst Beach Club, you’re probably not coming here. But it’s a sneaky good pick for some peace and quiet.
17. Barnegat Light
The trip to Long Beach Island is a long one from most parts of the state. The trip from the causeway to Barnegat Light is deceptively long. And then the walk from the street to the beach is an absolute schlep! But it’s a beautiful schlep among plants, trees and wildlife — I saw a gorgeous bird on my labyrinthine walk this year! And then it’s an even more beautiful beach. It’s so isolated you almost feel like you’re on a desert island. But you’re not, you’re on Long Beach Island! Way better. Check out Old Barney (one of the state’s best lighthouses) grab a bite at Mustache Bill’s , and hit the incredibly soft sand.
16. Lavallette
Soft sand. Ample parking. A small but charming boardwalk and clean water make Lavallette a perennial top pick at the Jersey Shore. This is a highly aesthetically pleasing beach with an underrated town to check out after you’ve soaked up enough rays for the day.
15. Ship Bottom
One of the most conveniently located beaches on LBI and everybody knows it — it’s right in the middle of the island and gets plenty crowded. Major family vibes and lots of day-trippers abound around here, and thus there is less than ideal parking. But once you’re situated, you’re made in the shade. Or, the sun. You just landed at one of the supreme stretches of sand on the Jersey Shore. Baker’s Port Hole Cafe is as good a dive bar as you’ll find in New Jersey, let alone the Jersey Shore. Pop in for a cold beverage and one of their legendary steamed roast beef sandwiches (trust me on this one) after hitting the sand.
14. Avalon
Some of the softest and cleanest sand we found on this beach tour was right here in Avalon. That, plus strong parking options and decent nearby attractions, makes this an upper-echelon beach. We don’t love how long the walk to the beach is, but the sand makes it worth it.
13. Harvey Cedars
On a long island filled with great beaches, Harvey Cedars is just about as good as it gets. The sand is impossibly soft and clean, the natural beauty is stunning and its location on the island makes it less crowded. Parking may be a chore, but its well worth it.
12. Loch Arbour
Loch Arbour remains our preferred northern Jersey Shore hideaway: A clean, generally quiet, pipsqueak slab of sand just north of Asbury Park’s summer chaos (south of Allenhurst). Should Loch Arbour, a “village” of less than 500 people, exist as its own municipality? Probably not, but we are glad the beach is here. There’s not much else to do in Loch Arbour, other than visit Deal Lake Bar Co., a popular bar and restaurant with locals. Try the tuna nachos!
11. Ocean Grove
Timeless and picturesque, Ocean Grove is Cape May’s northern counterpart in its dedication to preserving the town’s Victorian homes, many of which have functioned as bed and breakfasts for decades, and line the oceanfront. The beach here is kept clean and while it doesn’t get terribly busy on the sand, even small crowds overwhelm the narrow streets and minimal parking. Beyond the sand are plenty of quaint shops, small eateries, and the iconic Days ice cream parlor — not to mention the summer tents and gargantuan Grand Auditorium, which dates back nearly to Ocean Grove’s founding as a Methodist worship camp in the 19th Century.
10. Cape May Point
Parking is terrible. Entertainment options are incredibly limited. So why does Cape May Point make the top 10 every year in the ranking? Because stepping out onto these is transformative. Incredibly natural, clean and isolated from the rest of the shore, there is no better place in New Jersey if you’re looking for an escape. Cape May is a better overall beach, but if you’re in town it’s absolutely worth popping over to experience Cape may Point. Plus you can check out the Wreck of the SS Atlantus!
9. Stone Harbor
Every year when we do this story, we make jokes about how Taylor Swift came to this beach as a child every year. And yes, a Taylor Swift exhibit opened at the Stone Harbor Museum last year. But it would be no surprise to see the pop superstar at this beach as an adult, because it’s that dang nice. A high-quality beach with ample parking and fun stuff to do in town ( like Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream ) set Stone Harbor apart, famous fans or not.
8. Island Beach State Park
Chris Christie sneaking onto this beach in 2017 during a state government shutdown will forever be a punchline. But when you stop laughing, you find yourself at one of the truly elite New Jersey beaches. There is more than enough parking to go around, as well as bathrooms and a food court. Its state park status means the beach itself is incredibly well-manicured and the natural beauty is unparalleled. Yes, you have to pay pay to get onto the island again (it was free in 2022 and 2023) but it’s well worth it. Plus, you pay by the carload, which means a trip here can theoretically be cheaper than a trip to another beach if you bring a crowd.
7. Bradley Beach
Bradley Beach owns a piece of dubious American history, as it was the first shorefront to charge a fee for beach access, way back in 1929. But hey, we still love Bradley and its very good beach; a nice size, clean sand that’s not too coarse. The crowd is reasonably low-key, the paved boardwalk (is it still a boardwalk, then?) is great for an early-morning run and there are a handful of stands for quick eats. And if you’re truly bored of the surf, there’s always miniature golf. Parking is generally more manageable around here, too.
6. Surf City
I found myself in Surf City the day Brian Wilson , legendary co-founder of the Beach Boys, passed away . He wrote the timeless song “Surf City” for Jan and Dean in 1963, and Surf City is one of New Jersey’s timeless beaches. Incredibly clean and soft sand plus myriad things to do in town make this place an absolute must on LBI.
5. Sandy Hook
Perhaps no Jersey Shore beach nor its surroundings are more striking than Sandy Hook and its requisite long drive out to the nature-lover’s paradise. Our northernmost beach offers trails, bike paths and plenty of opportunities to check out local Shore wildlife. While the beaches themselves are not immaculate — the sand is rather coarse, swimmers need to be very careful of submerged rocks — the Manhattan skyline views on a clear day are a cool plus. And hey, if you’re looking for a nude beach, Sandy Hook’s Gunnison Beach is your spot for freedom! Food out on Sandy Hook is minimal, though they did add the Mule Barn Tavern all the way up near Fort Hancock last year.
4. Manasquan
Some Bruce Springsteen trivia: About 50 years ago, a young Boss had his first drink at The Osprey in Manasquan, just off the beach on First Avenue. Half a century later, the beach itself is a great one — ideal size, well-kept. And the asphalt path — wouldn’t call it a boardwalk — includes some decent food options: Gee Gee’s ice cream, Tacoholics Tacos, Playa Bowls fruit concoctions. The crowd here definitely skews local and younger: The ‘Squan teenagers act like they own the place and can be way, way loud. But if you head away from the main entrances, things quiet down. A versatile Main Street with solid eats sits about a half-mile inland (Squan Tavern forever).
3. Sea Bright
Sea Bright has exactly one problem and it’s the location — like with Sandy Hook, there’s no easy way to reach this narrow stretch of sand off Route 36. But the public beach (much of Sea Bright is private) is very well-kept, with distant views of the Manhattan skyline visible on a clear day. The crowd here is mostly families and vacationers; a reasonably chill group, though the beach does fill up. The new ramps and small boardwalk are a nice addition after years of construction and there’s loads of great eats just across the street, namely Anjelica’s — easily the best Italian restaurant in Monmouth County and one of the best in the state.
2. Beach Haven
The best beach in the state’s best beach region. It was named the No. 1 beach in New Jersey by in 2022 for good reason! If you’re making the trek down to Long Beach Island, you cannot do better than a trip all the way to the southern tip of the isle to enjoy the surf, sand, sun and eats Beach Haven has to offer. The beach is soft and well-maintained, even if it’s a touch on the narrow side. Staying at the Sea Shell is a blast. Chicken or the Egg is one of the most hyped up restaurants in all of New Jersey, and those succulent wings truly live up to the hype. A burger and some pie at the Holiday Snack Bar is a one-of-a-kind experience and the Hudson House was just named the No. 1 bar at the Jersey Shore by .
1. Cape May
Every year I try to find a reason for Cape May to be dethroned as the No. 1 beach in New Jersey. Every year (except for 2022) I come up short. A trip to Exit 0 on the Garden State Parkway feels like a trip to another world. Sure, it’s the Jersey Shore. But it also has vibes akin to Charleston, Key West and Cape Cod. One of the most relaxing and unique places in the Garden State, something happens when you cross that Cape May Canal Bridge. And the ethereal feel of the town permeates a trip to the beach here, as well — one of only two beaches facing south in the state! The sand is impossibly nice, the boardwalk is picturesque, the dining scene is elite and the Victorian architecture only adds to the ambiance of a trip to New Jersey’s southern tip. You simply can’t do any better than the beach at Cape May.
Related coverage:
• All 45 New Jersey beaches, ranked worst to best for summer 2024
• All 44 N.J. beaches, ranked worst to best for summer 2023
• All 44 N.J. beaches, ranked worst to best for summer 2022
• All 44 N.J. beaches, ranked worst to best for summer 2021
• All 44 beaches in New Jersey, ranked worst to best: 2019 edition
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Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com . Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook .
Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram at @JeremyIsHungryAgain .
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