By Ryan Gallagher
The “No Dogs” signs are popping up. Lifeguard towers are being dragged toward the water. Beaches are getting raked. Summer is almost here and things are about to change at the Jersey Shore. While Memorial Day is just the first taste, as June and July heat up, the rush is on to enjoy the salt, sand and surf for residents and visitors from North Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and beyond.
Aside from making sure you’ve used enough sunscreen, there are plenty of other items to remember before heading to your favorite sandy site this summer. From beach access, dealing with crowds and parking fees, and knowing the designated areas for surfing, fishing and swimming, it’s a good idea to be prepared before you head to the shore. So grab a chair, a book and sunglasses: We’ve got you covered for the rest.
Sandy Hook
The most significant change once summer hits for most beaches is the access fee – and the crowds waiting to have the best beach day ever. Sandy Hook is no different. Surfing, swimming, fishing and otherwise enjoying the Hook aren’t free come Memorial Day Weekend. While there is technically no entrance fee, the National Park Service charges $20 per day for parking in the lots or $100 for a season pass. You can pay at the toll booths at the entrance to the park (operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily) or online at recreation.gov.
“You can get a parking pass ahead of time and have the QR code in your dashboard,” said Daphne Yun, the Gateway National Recreation Area Public Affairs Officer. “You need a placard either way, so get it ahead of time if you know you’re going,” she said.
Although a narrow spit of land, there is a lot to do on the peninsula.
“People surf all year long here at Sandy Hook,” said chief lifeguard Tom McLoughlin. “If the waves are good, there are surfers in the park.” But come summertime, surfers, like other beachgoers, have to pay to get into the park and are relegated to Lot B, an unprotected beach, and Lot C within the unprotected area.
Those looking to swim in the waves should only do so at protected beaches, McLoughlin said.
“Please swim in front of a lifeguard,” he implored. “We have hundreds of rescues here in the lifeguarded areas every year.”
Those wishing to fish at Sandy Hook this summer should park at Lot F. In the summer, fishing is not allowed where guards are on duty or within 50 yards of flagged swimming areas. Fishing at Sandy Hook during off-hours requires a separate permit but no permits are necessary during the day.
“In the offseason, you can fish anywhere,” McLoughlin said, but during the summer, a very small (feathered) resident takes precedence over fishers, swimmers and surfers.
“The park closes sections of beaches due to piping plovers,” McLoughlin explained. “Big stretches of beaches will be closed to complete access for swimming, fishing, and bathing.” While nothing is closed yet, McLoughlin said they generally start closing areas in late June.
“It will happen when the birds are nesting north of North Beach, in between North Beach and Gunnison, south of Gunnison, and between Delta and Charlie,” he said.
McLoughlin also reiterated this plea to visitors to keep Sandy Hook looking its best: “Leave no trace and bring trash home with you. This has to be reinforced all the time.”
Sandy Hook will reach capacity on busy summer days. Yun suggested following the park on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) for up-to-date information.
Sea Bright
In the borough, surfers often frequent the designated surfing beach known as Anchorage, just north of the Sea Bright-Rumson Bridge, according to Hunter Manning, a lieutenant at Sea Bright Ocean Rescue.
Almost every day, surfers and fishermen battle traffic and crowds to get to destinations with free parking, like Tradewinds Lane which sports street parking in front of large, seaside estates. Getting to the beach early is the only safe bet for surfers looking to shred waves for free.
In Sea Bright and other local beaches, swimmers should spend their beach days around guarded areas while surfing and fishing outside swimming areas.
Beach badges are $8 per day or $100 per season. Seniors can purchase discounted badges for $35 per season, and the borough offers free beach access for active military and their families.
“Follow directions from lifeguards and beach staff,” said Manning. “They are here to keep you safe and provide the best beach experience possible. Respect the families and patrons around you.”
When looking for a surefire parking spot with beach access, many travelers will choose Donovan’s Reef, the well-known beach bar. There still may be time to grab a VIP card to avoid entrance fees and allow access to the beach, the bar and facilities. There is also paid parking in Donovan’s lot and the surrounding area.
The beach at Donovan’s is often crowded with visitors enjoying food, drink and music. The surrounding beaches are just a walk away and offer activities such as surfing, fishing, skimboarding, volleyball, swimming, sunbathing and more.
“And walk off with what you walk on with,” reminded Manning, who also noted no glass is allowed on the beach. While the borough and Department of Public Works provide daily beach cleaning, which “helps provide the best beach experience possible,” Manning said visitors can “help us keep the beach and ocean clean.”
Monmouth Beach
According to Jake George, the head lifeguard at Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, paid parking at the Cultural Center is one of the best options for a beach day in Monmouth Beach.
“It fills up quick,” said George. “The earlier the better.”
For a “stellar beach day,” he suggests arriving by 8 or 9 a.m. “The water is calmer and less chaotic. At the beginning of summer, typically it’s better in the morning. As the day goes on, the south wind picks up around 1 or 2 p.m.,” George said.
There are plenty of opportunities to surf, fish, sunbathe and swim in Monmouth Beach. The borough’s shoreline has places with no lifeguards and no fees and beach clubs with parking lots, lifeguards, facilities and more.
The toughest part is finding where to park if the Cultural Center lot is full. One side of each Monmouth Beach street is closed for parking during summer, making free parking spots even harder to come by on a busy summer day.
“The best access points are in between the border of Sea Bright over to Monmouth Beach Bath & Tennis Club, wherever you can find parking,” said George, who recognized access gets more difficult outside that stretch.
“Monmouth Beach is a great surfing spot and amazing fishing spot,” he said. “There’s a hidden access point in between two buildings: Shores twin tower buildings and Admiralty. These two are sandwiched in between Big Monmouth and Little Monmouth (paid beach club facilities).”
George points out that waves break there, but getting to the access point is difficult. “Park and walk down or go by bike,” he advised.
Bicycles and e-bikes are necessary for locals or visitors looking to avoid parking fees.
Long Branch
Long Branch is home to many guarded beaches where surfing and fishing can be done anywhere outside the blue flags. Waves break not far from the same jetties fishermen will use to cast and catch.
In summer, the busiest beaches in Long Branch are often around Pier Village.
Surfers, fishermen and swimmers can often find more room for outdoor activities in West End and around North and South Bath avenues, as well as at Park or Pullman avenues – the latter are two newly-guarded beaches over the last two years, according to Luke Balina, a lifeguard supervisor.
West End has plenty of food options and some favorite bars, like Jack’s Goal Line Stand, great after a long beach day.
“There’s a big stretch of unguarded beach between Cottage Avenue and Pier Village (where people can) learn to surf and fish.” While there are fewer sunbathers to contend with, said Balina, access to that beach can be difficult.
On busy summer days in Long Branch, the lifeguards work until 7 p.m. at many beaches, weather permitting. Storms cleared the water on the 4th of July last year. “It was tough because it wasn’t raining, but there was lightning and thunder,” he said. “We have to wait at least 30 minutes in between lightning or thunder” before letting swimmers back in the water, Balina explained.
He recommends bringing shade, water and sun protection when staying out all day.
Beachgoers in Long Branch may have seen Balina guarding around Chelsea Avenue in the past. This year, he’ll be moving off the stand, assisting other lifeguards, talking with beachgoers who need help and, of course, making rescues when necessary.
Long Branch lifeguards have made a name for themselves nationwide after competing for years in lifeguard competitions. Some guards can also be seen off the beach, protecting community pools in Long Branch.
Balina said visitors should not be afraid to approach the lifeguards for help, suggestions, or even an explanation. “Lifeguards like it when you ask questions,” he said.
But with that in mind, there are nearly 15 miles of beautiful beaches in northern Monmouth County just waiting for surfers, fishermen, swimmers, sunbathers and fun beach-day buffs. Whether on Sandy Hook, in Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach or Long Branch, beach lovers can have a positive experience on the Jersey Shore by following signs, respecting the ocean, respecting workers and neighbors and being aware of daily conditions and surroundings.
The article originally appeared in the May 23 – 29, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
