The 18 Best Beaches in New Jersey

The coastline of New Jersey is a trove of sandy shores and picturesque views. So, it can be tough to determine which among the many New Jersey beaches is the “best”.

Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the 18 most popular beaches in New Jersey, based on ratings and reviews from various online sources. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day by the ocean or some exciting waves to surf, this list has got you covered. Let’s take a look!

Best Beach in New Jersey

Seaside Heights Beach

• Address: Seaside Heights Beach, New Jersey 08751, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (3604)
• Website: Link

Top 18 Most Beautiful Beaches in New Jersey

Long Branch Beach

• Address: 4 Ocean Ave N, Long Branch, NJ 07740, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (3261)
• Phone: +1 732-222-7000
• Website: Link
• Reviews:
  Heads up! It’s a good idea to bring CASH. Especially if you want to rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Also, the tickets for the beach are about 30% cheaper if you pay at the window in cash.
  As for the beach, it’s excellent! Beautiful and clean. The water feels great in the summer. The life guards are vigilant and do a good job keeping people away from danger.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Joseph Wilson (3 months ago)

  It’s a beautiful place to experience perfect sunrise! Both the boardwalk and the water is clean. Very peaceful and calm! ?

  Try getting here an hour before the sunrise to get the best experience. Do carry jacket, it could get chilly!

  There weren’t many people when I visited, of course it was sunrise time ?

  Get extra pair of clothes, towel, bag to store wet cloths if you plan to swim!!

  ✭✭✭✭ By Bhaumik Doshi (5 months ago)

  For the past month I have been visiting Long Branch Beach because I have been needing a place to clear my head and make time for myself. I didn’t know what to expect, but can honestly say that I have found that Long Branch Beach and it’s surrounding town is quite amazing and quite beautiful; especially in the late evenings and during its sunsets. I plan on continuing visiting and exploring more of the surrounding areas. Maybe even start thinking of making a more permanent move. Honestly couldn’t get enough.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Eric Purkall (3 months ago)

  Beautiful beach!! Parking was tough to find but we found a lot across from the Maya resort where you can park for $40 for the whole day. A little pricey but worth it. I absolutely loved watching three lifeguards take a teenage boy who was disabled out into the water. That boy had such a great time!! I had never seen something like this! I will definitely go back with my family!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Marielena Kerins (2 months ago)

  One of the cleanest beach in NJ. Water is clean too. This beach doesn’t get too crowded and the boardwalk is really nice. Parking is a big problem here. You need to spend good amount of time to find good parking although beach side parking is $20 cash if you are lucky to find empty spots. They do have public restrooms at the entrance of boardwalk. You can find plenty of restaurants near pier village and Brighton ave. There is a $7 entry pass depending on what side of beach you enter.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By krutartha shah (6 months ago)

Belmar

• Address: 400 Ocean Ave N, Belmar, NJ 07719, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (2851)
• Phone: +1 732-681-3700
• Website: Link
• Reviews:
  The 1.3-mile Belmar Boardwalk is more of a party atmosphere, while the section through Ocean Grove is lined with benches, street lamps, and potted flowers

  The boardwalk and beach area is located on Ocean Avenue and runs from First to Twentieth Avenues, offers many interesting attractions, shops, and eateries along the boardwalk, as well as fun along the extensive stretch of beach.

  The Boardwalk has beautiful sunset, and it would be great to witness that. The beach and atmosphere work as additives to the situation. It is a perfect place for a long romantic walk

  Smoking is prohibited on the entire beach and boardwalk at all times. dogs/bike/skating is also not allowed.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Sanjay Gupta (5 months ago)

  Nice clean beach. The crowds look decent. Decent amount of restaurants. It’s a beautiful town with a large older crowd and a bit of hoodlums in the mix. The younger crowd make it less safe feeling.

  ✭✭✭✭ By BK Man (4 months ago)

  Loooovw this beach! I’m thankful this year we were able to go to the beach and it was fun, clean, not too crowded or noisy! Parking wasn’t a problem too. Some boardwalk… appreciate that there’s 711 nearby we could easily buy ice. Brought food with us and it’s a picnic beach! Amazing waves!! Really cool for family gathering /outings on a low budget too.great for families or anyone who loves the beach! Bring food/snack and drinks with you. A good sunblock lotion, water to dehydrate a chair and an umbrella when it’s too sunny you don’t want to be out all day under the sun.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jo Baltazar (a year ago)

  We visited on a weekday and were able to find free parking. Belmar has a lowkey, family-friendly vibe with a well-tended neighborhood and downtown beyond the beach. A daily beach pass is $10+ fees. You have to pay by navigating a glitchy QR-based app and use a credit card.Their sandy beach is pretty smooth with few rocks, shells or other debris underfoot. It’s a good beach for bird-watching and strolling the newish boardwalk. There are no onsite shower facilities, dogs are not allowed and the beach is carryin/out.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Barb Hauck-Mah (barbhmphilly) (4 months ago)

  This beach was very nice and clean. You do need to have a beach tag/ bracelet to get on, so you need to preorder that. The water was very warm, surprisingly for July, when we went. Wasn’t too crowded for a Friday either! There is a boardwalk, just not like WW if that’s what you want. The area is also very clean and nice. It’s street parking, free, but then there are spots that have metered parking, you use an online app for that. You won’t be disappointed if you go here.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By mary fratangeli (a year ago)

Belmar Beach

• Address: Belmar Beach, Belmar Boardwalk, Belmar, NJ 07719, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (1285)
• Opening hours:
  Monday: Open 24 hours

  Tuesday: Open 24 hours

  Wednesday: Open 24 hours

  Thursday: Open 24 hours

  Friday: Open 24 hours

  Saturday: Open 24 hours

  Sunday: Open 24 hours
• Reviews:
  We came to see FREE movie on the beach! It was superb! So grab your chair, buy local pizza! Combine swimming and after watching movie otherwise you will not get the best sits 🙂 we came at 5 pm (lots of parking spots but you need to pay) but access on the beach after 5 pm in week day is free.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Julia Helland (2 months ago)

  This beach was recommended to us from a local family that was attending the cat show at the New Jersey Convention Center. We only got to spend about an hour and a half but it was worth it as my mom and I love the beach and haven’t gotten to any beach for 4-5 years. It was on a Sunday evening, not too crowded and a lot cleaner than the last beach we visited in New Jersey. The parking is nice, the street is wide, the boardwalk is new I believe. We parked across the street as we didn’t want to have to pay being there only an hour or so. The water was clearer than I thought it’d be and not as cold as I expected. It was a lovely short visit!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Dr. Eeky is in (4 months ago)

  Very clean, family friendly, nice, convenient and plenty of parking available as well as local places to eat. It cost $10 to access the beach ( children under 12yrs are free). Wristbands can be purchased electronically through a QR code available at selected spots. However, if you prefer to use cash (on 5th ave there is a beach access spot where you can purchase the wristbands with cash). The hourly parking can also be purchased by scanning a parking QR code available in each parking zone. I paid about $8.00 dollars for 4 hours. The boardwalk is clean with kids play areas along the way. If you are more interested in adult fun there are quite a few bars within walking distance.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Ingrid cepeda (4 months ago)

  It’s so beautiful at this beach.Very peaceful and not very crowded. Extremely clean and safe. Lots of places to eat and parking is pretty easy, especially during the week.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Nicki N (5 months ago)

  Nice ? ? beach ? ? on the Jersey shore next to Avon. Lots of convenient parking options right at the boardwalk as well as on the streets . The boardwalk and beach are clean for the most part and the workers are generally friendly. They have several beach side dining ? ? ? and snack? options along the boardwalk. You can buy daily beach wrist bands or buy a season pass . Belmar is a beach convenient to central New Jersey. ??‍♀️ ? ?

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Shani Dixon (2 months ago)

Asbury Park Beach

• Address: Asbury Park Beach, New Jersey, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (971)
• Reviews:
  There are so many beaches in jersey shore and asbury park is one of the good ones around . Belmar , point pleasant and so many others . I like the boardwalk and shops around . Lots of places to eat and drink. Beach is good , especially in the evenings and sunset ! Parking is the worst thing here .. sometimes , we had to walk about a mile for parking spots . Even with paid parkings it’s crowdeddddd . If not for parking , this is a 5 ⭐️ spot . Overall a good experience though …

  ✭✭✭✭ By Raj S (3 months ago)

  Being a person from a coastal state in India, settling down in a coastal state in the US and checking out different beaches is like homecoming.

  This beach is one of my several favorites that is vast and clean. The parking is not too far away but is paid.

  The beach has an iconic boardwalk that has a variety of shops and people from all walk of age walking and jogging. At the farther end is an abandoned and locked building that has some beautiful and colorful murals.

  Sit and watch flock of seagulls fighting over a meal and the Canadian geese that are busy prepping up for the breeding season.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Karthikeyan Rajaram (7 months ago)

  If you want a good parking spot close to the beach, and a good spot on the beach, make sure you get there earlier in the morning.
  You will need to buy a ticket to access the beach. You can buy them on the boardwalk, or you can buy them ahead of time using the Viply app. Just search for Asbury Park Beach when you’ve downloaded the app.
  As for the beach itself, it’s great! VERY crowded on the fourth of July, but still enjoyable. The water is clear and beautiful and the waves a lot of fun.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Joseph Wilson (4 months ago)

  very beautiful and cool place to relax. there is also place for walking and there are good restaurants and bars

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Sergii Vyshnevskyi (2 months ago)

  Clean Beach, strong waves. To save time, use the app to purchase the tickets the night before. If you buy your tickets on the app, it’s like one dollar fee charge. Otherwise, you can also purchase it at the entrance, and parking is available across the street. It gets packed pretty quickly, though. Parking is $30 for the day. There are some restaurants on the boardwalk. You are allowed to bring food and beverages.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Steffania Zhingre (2 months ago)

Island Beach State Park

• Address: 2401 Central Ave, Seaside Park, NJ 08752, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (656)

New Jersey Beach

• Address: New Jersey Beach, 100 Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (522)

Spring Lake Beach

• Address: Spring Lake Beach, Spring Lake, NJ 07762, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (411)

Brick Beach 3

• Address: Brick Beach 3, 440 NJ-35, Mantoloking, NJ 08738, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (370)

Ocean Grove Beach

• Address: Ocean Grove Beach, New Jersey, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (364)

Ideal Beach

• Address: Ideal Beach, Middletown Township, NJ, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (266)

Brick Beach One

• Address: Brick Beach One, 331 NJ-35, Mantoloking, NJ 08738, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (254)

Sea Girt Beach

• Address: Sea Girt Beach, Sea Girt, NJ 08750, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (201)

Avon Beach

• Address: Avon Beach, Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ 07717, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (141)

Manasquan Beach

• Address: Manasquan Beach, Manasquan, NJ, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (87)

Laurence Harbor Beach

• Address: Laurence Harbor Beach, Old Bridge, NJ, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4 (77)

Public Beach

• Address: Public Beach, New Jersey 08008, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (65)

Belvedero Beach

• Address: Belvedero Beach, Keansburg, NJ, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.3 (16)

Highlands Beach

• Address: Highlands Beach, Sea Bright, NJ 07760, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.1 (12)

See also: 4 Best Beaches in New York

That’s it for our list of the best beaches in New Jersey! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers. And don’t forget to check out some of the other posts on our blog for more travel inspiration. Happy beachcombing!