If you’re looking for sandy, salty fun this summer, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities in the Ocean Township area. You’ll find some of the best beaches in all of New Jersey here, with excellent amenities like dedicated surfing spots and carefully groomed sand. Whether you’re looking for a movie on the pier, a boardwalk concert, or a surf camp for the kids, we have a beach that will meet your needs. Check out this lineup of great local destinations.
Ocean Grove Beach
Ocean Grove Beach offers a stunning stretch of white sand and gentle waters. This beach is far quieter than other New Jersey beaches, offering a more peaceful escape than what’s typically available elsewhere. You’ll find restroom facilities available for your convenience and a snack shack to satisfy any immediate cravings while you’re at the beach. If you’re looking for something more filling, downtown Ocean Grove is within two blocks of the beach, so you can easily walk into town for one of the outstanding local restaurants.
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association hosts a variety of events on the beach, including a boogie board race, sand sculpture contest, lifeguard tournament, and scavenger hunt. Children aged three to five can participate in the Sandy Toes storybook and activity program on Tuesdays throughout the summer. Monthly movie nights take place at the pier about once a month over the summer season.
You must purchase a beach pass to use Ocean Grove Beach. You can buy these online or at the Beach Office on the boardwalk at Embury Avenue. The beach is typically open on weekends only from Memorial Day through Father’s Day. After that point, the beach opens daily through early September.
Asbury Park
Asbury Park’s beach and boardwalk are a family favorite, with engaging activities and attractions for children of all ages. The area between Deal Lake Drive and Eighth Avenue is for surfing only. Summertime Surf offers surf lessons and a surf camp here. Registered anglers may fish from the beach if they stay away from bathing areas.
The beach offers several handy restroom locations at First Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Seventh Avenue, the Asbury Park Convention Hall, and Deal Lake Drive. Most of these feature beach showers. You’ll find water fountains and water bottle refilling stations along the Boardwalk. Beach umbrella and chair rentals are on hand for added comfort as you lounge on the sand.
Visitors must obtain a beach pass to access Asbury Park’s beach. These passes are available via the Viply app, at the Beach Office, or the Seventh Avenue Beach Booth. The summer beach season includes weekends only from Memorial Day weekend to mid-June and daily access from mid-June through Labor Day. You do not need a beach pass to access the free beach playgrounds at Second Avenue and Seventh Avenue. If you have a dog, you can bring your furry friend to the designated Asbury Park Dog Beach during the approved hours, which change seasonally.
The boardwalk is a major draw at Asbury Park beach. Here, you’ll find a mini-golf course and splash pad for extra fun in the sun. When you need to take a break from the harsh rays, you can duck into the Silver Ball Museum Arcade and play antique pinball machines.
Avon-by-the-Sea
Avon-by-the-Sea has a small, wildly underrated, and, therefore, far less crowded beach. Visitors can enjoy a quiet atmosphere at this impressively clean beach destination. The beach is open year-round. Visitors only need a beach badge during the summer months. These badges are available at the booths located on Norwood Avenue, Sylvania Avenue, and Washington Avenue.
Avon-by-the-Sea is a popular surfing destination and even sees some surf classes in the summer months. At the Woodland Avenue Boardwalk, you can step away from the sand and enjoy the Boardwalk Summer Concerts featuring a rotation of four acts that keep the entertainment going all summer long on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park
The Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park covers 38 acres and offers ample space for outdoor activities like swimming and surfing. The beach features a snack bar, volleyball courts, a sheltered picnic area, changing areas, and outdoor showers. Surfers will find a designated area conveniently set aside for catching the waves.
You must have a park access pass to swim at the beach during the guarded swimming season. This includes weekends from Memorial Day to mid-June and daily from mid-June through Labor Day. You can purchase a pass at the Thompson Park Headquarters.
The park also features Tony’s Place, an award-winning playground, and the Skateplex, offering skateboarding ramps.
Belmar
Belmar’s beach is meticulously maintained by a dedicated beach staff that grooms and cleans the sand daily. These beaches have more playgrounds than any other New Jersey beach destination, making them a top pick for families. The beach features dedicated sections for activities like kayaking, boogie boarding, and surfing. You can boogie board at Seventh, 14th, and 20th Avenues. Surfboards are permitted at the 17th and 18th Avenue beaches. The Third Avenue Beach even offers a summer surf camp for kids.
Visitors must have a beach badge to access Belmar’s beaches on weekends, holidays, and during the summer season between Memorial Day and Labor Day. You can purchase your badge via mobile device or at Borough Hall.
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent at 17th Avenue, 12th Avenue, Eighth Avenue, and Fourth Avenue. Food and beverages are permitted on the beach, though you may not bring alcohol or glass containers. Restrooms and outdoor showers are readily available every few blocks, but there are no changing facilities.
Did we include your favorite beaches on our list? If we missed an outstanding spot for sun and surf in the Ocean Township area, let us know! Contact our team at Sea View Auto Corp. We always want to make sure we have the best recommendations in the area for our customers so we can point them in the right direction as they drive off the lot.
Image via Flickr by SurFeRGiRL30
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