PORT MONMOUTH: Bayshore Waterfront Park is absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and dog friendly!…read more Bring your leashed pup all-year-round to romp on the beach with perfect views of the Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook, and the NYC skyline. There is a long pier to walk out and hear the water lapping by beside you. Enjoy the natural floral and fauna surrounding the beach. There is also a historic building on the property.

Love the fact that this beach is so quiet, and, relatively clean!…read more I've come to this beach on multiple occasions now, once for a Friday company volunteer clean-up event and on a Saturday just with my family. On the 1st occasion that I came here, I was pleasantly surprised at how clean the beach actually was as we didn't have to do much work to spruce it up. Garbage is rarely found on the beach, BUT there are a lot of broken shells and little rocks laying around. It was very quiet when I arrived at 9 AM for my volunteer event, but activity did begin to immediately pick up around 10:30 - 11:00 AM as families began rolling in to the parking lot. The beach isn't huge and neither is the parking lot, but on the summer Saturday that my family and I visited, it didn't feel all that crowded still. No lifeguards are on duty here and I don't think they ever are here since it's relatively small compared to more popular beaches. The one downside of the beach is that there isn't a whole lot around either as the beach is surrounded by a residential neighborhood and stores and restaurants are far off. BUT, the best thing about this beach is that it's FREE and no fee is required to enter!!

This beach has improved tremendously since I first started going there . They have summer concerts…read moreat the beach which is awesome , bathrooms and even a little kiosk with burgers , refreshments and ice cream . There's plenty of parking and the beach is awesome . The only thing missing is some more lighting .

Friday August 29th at 7pm free beach concert. Let's Rock &…read moreRoll The Side Effects Rock Band will be playing this Friday night at Keansburg Beach Nj which is across the street from Half Moon restaurant in Keansburg, NJ. Be sure to bring a credit card to pay the parking meter. It's about $6.00 for 2 hours.

THE GOOD ----------------…read more+ Spacious, beautiful beach with verrrrry, verrrrrry clean sand. + Lifeguards are on duty during beach hours and they are extremely watchful of the beach as we observed them, multiple times, giving warnings to swimmers. + There is a food stand, Shore Break Grill, DIRECTLY on the beach by the pier on Embury Ave!! They sell food (burgers fries, sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken fingers), cold drinks (flavored lemonades, iced teas), smoothies, pina coladas, acai bowls, ice cream and ice! + Town area on Main Ave is small, but charming and has plenty of restaurants, including the famed (and newly reopened) Nagle's Apothecary Cafe. + A lot of free street parking spaces along the streets and angled, BUT get here early (around 10:30 AM) on the weekend during beach season! If you don't arrive early, you'll definitely be circling for awhile. THE NOT SO GOOD ----------------------------- - Nada. MIXED THOUGHTS ---------------------------- = Nada. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = As of July 2026, daily wrist bands cost $13 per adult with children 11 and younger being free.

The Jersey Shore has around 141 miles of shoreline and more than 40 beach towns, each with its own…read moreunique vibe. If you're looking for a quieter, peaceful, family-friendly beach day, Ocean Grove is calling your name. First, I have to make a DISCLAIMER... This one-mile town is known as "God's Square Mile" because it was founded by Methodist ministers as a seaside Christian sanctuary. You'll definitely see that history reflected throughout the town, from streets with biblical names to worship services held on the boardwalk. Ocean Grove is overseen by a religious organization and follows some Christian blue laws, including no alcohol sales. With that being said, please do NOT let the town's religious roots scare you away! I'm not religious, but I felt completely welcomed. Not once did I feel like their beliefs were being pushed onto me. Moving on... as a seasoned beach gal, here's everything you need to know to make the most of your beach day: PARKING: FREE... you read that right! There are angled spots right in front of the beach, plus street parking in the residential areas. Come extra early on weekends if you want to snag a spot. I got super lucky and found one around 11AM on a Sunday. ADMISSION: Daily beach passes are $13 and can be purchased online or in person at the beach office. It's FREE for children 11 and under & anyone who arrives after 5:30pm. I really wish they offered free or discounted admission for U.S. veterans, active-duty military, and seniors. BEACH & AMENITIES: The beach is clean, the sand is soft, and the water has gotten noticeably clearer and bluer over the years. It's also less crowded than some nearby beaches, so there's plenty of space. Amenities include: -Umbrella & chair rentals -Public bathrooms (pretty clean) -Outdoor rinse stations -A designated surfing area No showers or changing rooms. BOARDWALK: The 0.5 mile boardwalk is wide and lined with benches, street lamps, and potted flowers. Don't expect a bustling boardwalk scene--it's definitely more laidback. There's a pavilion where Christian services are open to the public, including gospel music and prayers. The beach office also sells merchandise like hats and sweatshirts. I had a wonderful stroll in the sun and really enjoyed the atmosphere. HISTORICAL SIGHTS: -Ocean Grove has the largest concentration of VICTORIAN HOMES in the COUNTRY and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's so picturesque. I was in love with the pastel colors! -You can't miss THE GREAT AUDITORIUM, a massive 1894 landmark that hosts religious services, choir concerts, and community events. -Then there's TENT CITY, a historic colony of 114 canvas tents used for summer Christian retreats. Want to stay in one? You have to apply, pass an interview, and then get on a legendary waitlist that's apparently 10-15 years long! Rentals cost $4,000-$8,000. Who knows, maybe you'll want to add that to your bucket list haha... FOOD/NIGHTLIFE: -The nightlife is virtually nonexistent. No bars, clubs, lounges, or liquor sales--it's a dry town. I respect it. If you want a bar scene, Asbury Park is a short drive away. -There's a small food stand on the beach called Shore Break (see my separate review!) that servces ice cream, lemonades, smoothies, and standard beach grub like fries and hot dogs. -The downtown main street is a short walk away, with a handful of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries if you want to grab a bite. Some notable spots are Nagle's, SeaGrass, OG Bake Shoppe, and Tino's Pizza. I spent six hours here and had such a peaceful beach day. If you want a change of scenery from some of the livelier (and rowdier) Jersey Shore towns, Ocean Grove is a great place to unwind. I actually think its religious history adds to the charm and makes this little town stand out.

Pretty beaches, nice restaurants, shopping, and more…read more... Parking Restaurants Shops Bars Shopping

The town of Long Branch is amazing in my opinion. its not a crime ridden area, many ma and pa…read moreshops, nice beach, prices are all cheaper than other beaches, and its not as crowded as other beaches. There's loads of affordable parking in the area, too

Summer in the Garden State continues after Labor Day, marking the vibrant boardwalks, sprawling…read moresands, and memories made by the Atlantic. Over 90 miles of coastline stretch from Sandy Hook's gentle wilderness in the north to Cape May's Victorian charm in the south. Nestled within the Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Beach is a hidden gem that graces a 7-mile scenic barrier peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, offering both ocean-side and bay-side experiences. Unique among Jersey beaches, Sandy Hook is famed for its wild beauty, wildlife, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, where my partner and I visited South Beach as first-timers and the Shore this year today. The weather was ideal, as it was neither excessively hot nor lacking in sunshine. It was less crowded around 8am, and parking was free. The walk to the beach was easy and not as far as Gunnison. There is a comfort station. It's a clean, serene beach with great waves for swimming and plenty of space to relax. We always pack a cooler with food and drinks. It is a carry-in/carry-out policy where one picks up after yourself to keep the beaches clean. Beyond the sand, there are many historic sites to see, from old military buildings to historic lighthouses, making it a perfect mix of nature and history. Everyone needs a beach day once in a while.

Nice beach Disgusting restrooms you can barely stomach…read moregoing in There was a wetzelpretzel truck on site

Happy FriYay Adventurers! This is a nice area to enjoy the outside. You'll see lots of jet skiers…read moreand people launching boats, a few people fishing off the dock/pier as well. Small beach area to walk a little, maybe bring a dog; though be cautious of hooks, rocks, and other items. When I was a kid the beach was a lot bigger but they made the water walk and sidewalk above bigger, now the beach is a sliver. I would get a raft and float with it tied to the beach to enjoy the outside. Plenty of parking both street and lot. The benches are not the most comfortable, metal and thin. But they have holes for umbrellas if you want to do a lunch, or enjoy book club outdoors. The skyline isn't much but sunsets can make even the most industrial of places appealing. there are bathrooms but I've heard they're never open and I saw a porta potty the last time I was there. I think there's an official 'park' someone who either checks safety or fishing permits, I'm not sure. Down the block you have Moby Dicks, a small park with outdoor fitness, bikes to rent, and a new concert area for live music. Nice breeze and good place to just relax.

This is one of my favorite beaches. My family and I have been going here for over a year. We…read moreabsolutely love it. It's very private, the individuals who come here are very respectful. I love how there are showers and bathrooms, not that far from the beach. The only thing is I wish there weren't that many rocks on the sand. I don't remember that being like that last year. I remember last year the sand was very smooth and soft. Also, there aren't a lot of seashells anymore, only ROCK! Which is a disappointment. Overall I love coming here it's a beautiful clean beach!

- Adult admission was $10 on 7/3/26; children 12 and under are free…read more- There are multiple parking lots, but they fill up quickly on busy weekends--arrive early or be prepared to wait for a spot; parking is $2 per hour - The beach is exceptionally clean; rinse stations include both overhead showers and separate lower stations for rinsing your feet - There's no boardwalk, but you'll find plenty of restaurants directly across from the beach

AVON-BY-THE-SEA: a peaceful town with a great big beach, leashed dogs and pets are allowed on the…read morebeach between October 1st through May 1st. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk, but you can cross over to the beach. There is a parallel sidewalk path to take a nice stroll. The town is also home to the Beach Christmas Tree.

Wow. I LOVE IT HERE. I'm a gal who prefers a more quiet, peaceful beach experience. I spent the…read moreday at Avon By the Sea on a weekday in September and it was perfect. All parking is FREE. Can't complain about that! There's plenty of street parking right in front of the boardwalk as well as residential parking nearby. Since I visited after the summer season ended, I had no problem finding a spot at 12pm. If you're going during the season, I would suggest coming much earlier if you want to get a good spot closer to the beach. During the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), beach badges are required from 9am-5pm on weekdays and 9am-5:30pm on weekends/holidays. It's $13 per person. Children ages 11 and under + active military and their dependents are free of charge. They don't accept credit/debit cards, so remember to bring CASH. The beach is beautiful - clear, blue water and clean, soft sand. The crowd is more mature and family-oriented. They do have a lot of rules (no alcohol/smoking/cannabis/canopies/tents/sound systems), but I don't mind. It's not rowdy here, so you'll have a peaceful experience. There are bathrooms, a playground area for children, and a boardwalk. The boardwalk is small, but charming. There are benches for you to sit, relax, and enjoy the ocean view. There aren't many restaurants, bars, games, or entertainment around. They have a snack/food pavilion, but I'd suggest driving a few miles away to Asbury Park or Long Branch for a better dining and night life scene. Seeeeee yaaaaaaaa at the shore!

First time coming to this beach with the family and I couldn't believe we didn't come here sooner!…read more I'm so glad that I came here for the seafood festival. While enjoying the festival, my family and I also got to explore this beach. Yes, between Memorial Day through Labor Day, there's an admission fee for the beach as life guards will be on duty. The festival was a weekend before Memorial Day and I'm glad it's 80 plus degree weather so we got to check out the beach for free. It's nice and clean. I love the fact that there's no games and all eateries are usually across the street from the broad walk which means, there should be less people walking on the broad walk itself (unless other jersey beaches). I arrived to the beach around 10am and there were plenty of parking spaces available. I'm sure it will be different during the summer but that's every beach you go! There's meter parking and there's also street parking on side streets for free. There's restrooms every two blocks and yes, it's clean! I totally recommend coming here and if you like coming to the beach often, you should purchase their season pass for $55 rather than paying $8 a day for adults. Senior citizens and disabled (must show proof) are at discounted price of $15. Kids 15 and under are free.

Came here and was so so happy we chose to spend our first beach day of the summer here. Everyone…read morewas friendly at the badges booth and I think the $12 day pass was beyond reasonable. The water is clean, I saw no garbage floating around and I could actually see through the water which was wonderful. Everyone was quiet, very calm vibes. Only complaint are the "police" who I saw trying to overexert their authority with more than two groups of people for the most absurd reasons. Just seemed like they had nothing better to do tbh. I'm not talking about the actual real police, I'm talking about the beach police who clearly aren't real police but seemed to want to make a name for themselves. Seeing things like this annoys me especially when the people being bothered weren't doing anything. But other than that; clean water, good vibes, 5 star beach in my opinion.