CPR-certified lifeguards on the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol guard the pristine, white-sand beaches from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Memorial Day until the first weekend after Labor Day. You may take leisurely strolls, jog or even swim, paddleboard, surf or kayak during early-morning hours or evenings when the guards are not on the stands. You do so at your own risk, though, with the warning that large waves and strong undertows can be dangerous along the Jersey Shore. When lifeguards are on duty, swimmers are in safe hands. The beach patrol holds stringent ocean swimming and running tryouts. Only athletes in top physical condition make the cut. In fact, Stone Harbor has lifeguard competitions on the beach, where you can watch these tanned specimens of health challenge other beach patrols in surf dashes and rowing events.
The best things in life might be free, but that doesn't apply to Jersey Shore beaches. Only a handful of coastal towns in the Garden State have free beaches, and Stone Harbor is not one of them. Each person older than 12 who steps on the sand during lifeguard hours must purchase a beach tag. Daily, weekly and seasonal beach tags are available at the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol/Beach Tag Office at 95th Street and the beach. If you think you can escape paying for the badges, think again. Beach tag inspectors either stand at beach access points or roam the shoreline to enforce the charge.
Sleeping on the beach is prohibited from dusk to dawn. Camping, barbecues, picnics, fires, alcohol and glass bottles are prohibited at all times. During the summer, you can only walk your leashed pets on the beach from 7 to 9 p.m. Licensed sailing vessels must be beached in designated areas, while four-wheel-drive vehicles with permits can drive on the sand from Oct. 1 through March 31. Plenty of free on-street parking is available near the beaches. You might have to walk a few blocks, but the island is so small, you're never far from the water. If walking is a hassle, municipal lots are located at 1st Street and 95th Street. You can also choose to park near the center of town, but meters charge 25 cents per 15 minutes, as of pubication.
Stone Harbor has almost 3 miles of beaches that run from 80th Street to 126th Street. Each street has beach access, but not all beaches are guarded. You can swim and use flotation devices, such as inflatable rafts, skim boards and body boards, at 83rd, 87th, 90th, 93rd, 95th, 96th, 100th, 103rd, 108th ,117th and 120th Streets. If surfing is your thing, you can hang 10 at 81st and 110th. Just make sure your board has a leash. Catamarans and kayaks are permitted at 122nd through 126th. You'll see a colorful line of them beached on the sand when they're not in use. When the crafts are in the water, boaters must wear life jackets.
Multimillion-dollar vacation homes butt right up to the sand dunes in Stone Harbor, blocking the seascape from the street. After you climb the few steps up to the sand, a panoramic view opens up of the glistening Atlantic. Dolphins and skates frolic in the surf, and piping plovers dodge the waves that crash on the shore. As the sun beats down on the sand, it can really heat things up, so wear flip-flops. Keep in mind, too, that as ocean waters warm up in August, jellyfish come to visit. Swimmers should also take care when running into the surf. Sharp shells and small crabs can do a bit of damage to your toes. Most of the beaches are relaxed and laid back, but for more action, head to the 80th Street beach. Here, kids can enjoy the playground, sports field and skateboard park. Beachgoers can also stop for lunch or a cocktail at the Windrift, a hotel, bar and restaurant where bathing suits are normal attire. You might think twice about packing a lunch to eat on the beach. Seagulls can smell food a mile away and often swoop down and snatch snacks right out of your hands.
