Long Beach Island is home to 18 miles of sandy white beaches where visitors can enjoy a variety of summer recreational activities such as swimming, boating, sun-bathing, sand-castle building, shell collecting and picnics. In addition, visitors will find a number of places to buy fishing licenses and to rent beach fishing tackle and bait. Long Beach Island features many surf shops and multiple areas for surfing.
Visitors to Long Beach Island can pay a visit to the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park (208 Broadway, Barnegat Light City, NJ; 609-494-2016) on the northern tip of the island. The lighthouse was once considered one of the most crucial "change-of-course" points for vessels bound to and from New York along the New Jersey coastline. The lighthouse is equipped with a light that creates that creates a single beam that is visible for up to 22 nautical miles. Guests can also visit the Interpretive Center, which tells the story of Barnegat Lighthouse, the evolution of lighthouse technology and the specific duties of Barnegat Lighthouse's keepers.
Long Beach Island is home to Fantasy Island Amusement Park (www.fantasyislandpark.com), which features thrill rides such as The Giant Wheel, The Dragon Coaster, The Drop Zone and The Sea Dragon. In addition, you can find a variety of child-friendly rides such as The Tea Cups, The Carousel, The Pumpkin Wheel, The Pirate Ship and Bumper Cars. Guests can also play games in the arcade, enjoy a cone at the ice-cream parlor or take in some free entertainment such as The World of Magic and Reptile World.
For tourists looking for some thrills on the wet n' wild side, Long Beach Island features Thundering Surf Water Park (www.thunderingsurfwaterpark.com), which offers a multitude of water slides and water rides. More adventurous guests can take a turn at the Flow Rider or the Flow Rider Double, while smaller guests can enjoy the Dancing Fountains, the Lazy River or Cowabunga Beach. The water park also offers an old fashioned ice-cream parlor, a free observation deck, two snack bars, an infant pool, lockers and a parents' sundeck.
