Sandy Hook
#5 in Best New Jersey Beaches
Sandy Hook offers a number of ocean and bay beaches perfect for swimming, windsurfing, fishing and biking within its Gateway National Recreation Area. You’ll also find the oldest operating lighthouse in America at Fort Hancock, a former Army fort located in the park. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at the food trucks in the summer, but beware of clothing-optional Gunnison Beach if you’re planning a trip with kids.
The Wildwoods
#6 in Best New Jersey Beaches
The Wildwoods – a resort area in southern New Jersey – is unique in that the space between its boardwalk and oceanfront is 500 yards wide at some points, allowing its sprawling beaches to host events ranging from monster truck rallies to concerts. With Ultimate Frisbee tournaments and adrenaline-pumping amusement park rides, this energetic region isn’t for those looking for quiet relaxation. What’s more, Wildwoods’ 5 miles of beaches are free to access.