The Jersey Shore offers 90 miles of beach fun for couples and family outings. There are a variety of public and private beaches across the Jersey Shore. However, many of these beaches can be overcrowded and large and may not fit your personal needs. If you enjoy smaller and secluded beaches to enjoy the sun, there are several options to choose from.
High Bar Harbor is a secluded mile-long stretch of land on Long Island Beach located in a section of the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park that lacks any sight of high development in the area. The harbor is filled with trees and sand dunes. According to New Jersey Monthly, “the beach is usually clean but not groomed--mounds of seaweed speckle the sand, a small price to pay for seclusion.” High Bar Harbor, with its network of canals, is popular with boaters and many of the homes on the beach are only occupied during the summer season.
The Northern Natural Area of Island Beach State Park is a small beach area south of Seaside Heights. According to New Jersey Monthly, you will see “some of the Shore’s most spectacular dunes, bursting with grasses and beach plum, and emerge onto a beach where usually only a few walkers dot the shoreline.” Even though most of Island Beach is crowded during the summer, this stretch of beach land is very secluded and private. There are no lifeguards, so it is illegal to swim, and with the abundance of dunes it is impossible to sit on the sand, but this beach strip is perfect for peaceful and romantic walks.
Stone Harbor, a wealthy area in New Jersey, offers an exceptionally wide yet small beach at Stone Harbor Point. It is a hidden gem and only a few people know of its beauty. It is a great sightseeing beach and you can expect to spot gulls, terns, peregrine falcons and sanderlings. New Jersey Monthly warns that “you have to be careful not to get stranded--what was dry beach on your way in can become a flooded sandbar on your way out.” It is best to check for tide information before you visit (see Resources).
