Page 18 - 2025 Southern NJ Vacationer

and its neighboring communities. Atlantic City also offers numerous beach bars, offering a unique way to relax on the beach.
To the north of Atlantic City is Brigantine, which has wide, pristine beaches and is one of the few public beaches that allows four-wheel drive vehicles (permit required).
Ventnor’s Boardwalk links to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk, offering a scenic route for a leisurely stroll or full-fledged workout. These “Down Beach” communities are somewhat quieter than their northern neighbor but offer just as much fun. Ventnor’s large beaches are almost always less crowded than those in Atlantic City, where surfing, kayaking, and boating are enjoyed. Just south of Ventor is Margate, where you can view the quirky attraction Lucy the Elephant. The tiny town of Longport, within an easy drive from Atlantic City, is one of the only beaches near the casino city that allows dogs.
William Morrow Beach in Somers Point, near the fishing pier, is a little- known, fully-guarded beach in the city of Somers Point. Although not technically adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, this Great Egg Harbor Bay beach is a wonderful ocean- front park and just as refreshing as beaches on the ocean.
Ocean City offers eight miles of pristine white sand beaches, making it a magnet for families. The bustling Boardwalk fills the air with the mouth-watering aromas of funnel cake, fries, and pizza. Did you know that Ocean City hosts a beauty pageant for hermit crabs? Yes, the Miss Crustacean pageant crowns a hermit crab each summer during a festive beach ceremony. Central Ocean City beaches are popular in the summer heat, while those to the north and south offer a quieter experience. Surf enthusiasts can catch waves at designated beaches at Waverly Boulevard, 7th, 16th streets, and south of 36th Street.
between Ocean City and Strathmere, is a fun spot for kayaking, windsurfing, and fishing. Strathmere and neighboring Whale Beach transport visitors back to the ‘50s, where you park the car, walk a few feet to the beach, and spend the day soaking up the sun.
Sea Isle City is an active community with designated beaches for kayaking, rafting, surfing, volleyball, and sailboat launching. The Promenade allows for cycling, jogging, or a leisurely stroll.
The pace is slower along the Seven Mile Beach, home to Avalon and Stone Harbor. Avalon’s scenery is spectacular, with lush dunes lining the beaches. Native shrubbery and dune grass cover the sand mountains that cushion the coast. Catamarans can often be seen off Stone Harbor Point, a nice spot for birdwatching.
The largest beaches in the area are in
North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest. North Wildwood’s family- friendly beaches feature gazebos, swings, and playgrounds to persuade children to take a break from swimming and sandcastle building. Turn away from the ocean, and you can marvel at giant roller coasters and other amusements on piers extending from the Boardwalk, which stretches more than two miles.
Wildwood’s expansive sands host unique sporting events. In May, the Wildwoods International Kite Festival fills the sky with colorful kites on Memorial Day Weekend. In June, Wildwood hosts the Barefoot Country Music Festival and the National Marbles Tournament on the beach.
Wildwood Crest Beach, renowned for its wide sandy shores and calm waters, offers a perfect setting for family-friendly activities, sunbathing, and enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery.
Cape May and Cape May Point complete the Jersey Cape. Victorian homes provide a gorgeous backdrop for sun worshippers. Cape May’s beaches are favorites with surfers and families. The Promenade is perfect for strolling, enjoying ice cream, or watching dolphins. At the south end, a gazebo offers picture-perfect views of the Cape May Lighthouse and St. Mary’s-by- the-Sea, where you can watch both sunrise and sunset over the water. l
Corson’s Inlet State Park, located
THE BAY BEACHES
Frequently overlooked are the beaches on the Delaware Bay, the “other side” of the state’s Southern Shore. These beaches are more rustic than their Atlantic coastline counterparts, and are not typically recommended for swimming.
Sunset Beach draws crowds for its stunning sunsets and patriotic flag-lowering ceremony. The beach is populated with Cape May “diamonds” and just offshore is what remains of the SS Atlantus, one of the12 ill-conceived concrete ships constructed during the First World War.
Higbee Beach, part of a wildlife management area, is pristine and is accessible from Seashore Road, just south of the canal in Lower Township.
North of the canal, there are miles and miles of bayside beaches in Lower Township that provide a calmer, more rustic alternative to the Atlantic coast beaches.
Middle Township boasts a few bayside beaches, including Norbury’s Landing, Reeds Beach, Cook’s Beach, Kimble’s Beach, and Pierces Point.
Further inland, Cumberland County’s coastline along the Delaware Bay offers a more rustic and natural beach experience. Nature lovers find solace in the quiet beaches of East Point and Fortescue. These areas are prime spots for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons when thousands of shorebirds descend upon the mudflats and marshes. Anglers cast their lines into the bay, hoping to reel in a fresh catch, while beachcombers search for unique shells and driftwood treasures.
Fortescue Public Beach is one such diamond in the rough, but so are Thompson’s Beach and Moore’s beach in Maurice River Township. None of these beaches receives the grooming that the typical beach communities give their beaches, but visitors and locals seem to prefer these beaches in their more rustic, natural state!
16 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY VACATIONER