Back to Results

Island Beach State Park

2401 Central Ave.
Seaside Park, NJ 08752

732-793-0506

Website

Highlights:

1 Location

Overview

Shaped by storm and tides, the park is a narrow barrier island that sits between the restless Atlantic Ocean and the historic Barnegat Bay. Island Beach is one of New Jersey's last significant remnants of a barrier island ecosystem that once existed along much of the coast and is also one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the north Atlantic coast.

More than 3,000 acres of coastal dunes that remain almost untouched since Henry Hudson first described New Jersey's coast from the ship, the Half Moon, in 1609. The dunes and white sandy beaches offer habitat to maritime plants and diverse wildlife that is almost the same as it was thousands of years ago.

The state's largest osprey colony, as well as peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl and migrating songbirds are found here. The park is nationally known as a unique resource with more than 400 plants identified, including the largest expanses of beach heather in New Jersey. It also features two Coast Guard stations from 1901 and 1938.

Facilities and activities include summer programs, trails, recreation area, Barnegat Bay access, Island Beach Northern Natural Area (659 acres) and Southern Natural Area (1,237 acres). There's also fishing, waterfowl hunting (in sedge islands only), canoeing, ocean swimming, shower facilities and wheelchair access. Visitors enjoy ocean picnicking, sailboarding and surfing, scuba diving and interpretive programs. The park also features the Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone and the Emily DeCamp Interpretive Center.

Swimming is permitted in designated areas from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend while lifeguards are on duty. The beach complex contains changing area, restrooms, first-aid station and concession with refreshments and beach supplies.

Fee: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
Amenities
- Restrooms
Activities
- Canoeing & Kayaking
- Fishing
Location
- Beach on Ocean
Map

Get Directions
Nearby:
- Dining
  - Chef Mike's Atlantic Bar & Grill
    0.2 MI
    732-854-1588
    View >
  - Bum Rogers Tavern & Crab House
    0.2 MI
    732-830-2770
    View >
  - The Sawmill
    2.2 MI
    732-793-1990
    View >
  - Hemingway's Cafe
    2.6 MI
    View >
  - The Music Man: Singing Ice Cream Shoppe
    3.9 MI
    732-854-2779
    View >
  - Clarks Landing Dockside Grill
    13.0 MI
    732-899-1111
    View >
  - Europa South
    13.0 MI
    732-295-1500
    View >
  - Frankie's Bar & Grille
    13.0 MI
    732-892-6000
    View >
  View More +
- Lodging
  - Island Beach Motor Lodge
    0.1 MI
    732-793-5400
    View >
  - Beach Club Hotel
    0.3 MI
    732-793-8200
    View >
  - The Belvedere Motel
    0.6 MI
    732-793-7373
    View >
  - Windjammer Motor Inn
    1.3 MI
    732-830-2555
    View >
  - Luna-Mar Motel
    1.9 MI
    732-793-7955
    View >
  - Desert Palm Inn
    2.1 MI
    732-793-4488
    View >
  - Charlroy Motel
    2.1 MI
    732-793-0712
    View >
  - Seaside Best Rentals
    2.2 MI
    732-854-7253
    View >
  View More +
- Activities
  - White Sands Beach
    0.1 MI
    732-269-4456
    View >
  - Seaside Park
    0.6 MI
    732-793-0281
    View >
  - Betty and Nick's Bait & Tackle Shop
    0.9 MI
    732-793-2708
    View >
  - Saw Mill Park
    1.4 MI
    View >
  - Seaside Park Boardwalk
    2.2 MI
    View >
  - Dock Outfitters
    2.3 MI
    732-830-8171
    View >
  - Lucky Leo's Arcade
    2.4 MI
    732-793-1323
    View >
  - Ocean Gate Yacht Basin
    2.4 MI
    732-269-2565
    View >
  View More +
- Events
  - Peto Presents Series
    Apr. 19 - Nov. 7, 2024
    4.0 MI
    732-929-4949
    View >
  - Annual Toms River Pride
    Jun. 15, 2024
    6.2 MI
    View >
  - Speaker Series at the Museum
    May. 5 - Nov. 10, 2024
    6.7 MI
    732-341-1880
    View >
  - Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon
    Apr. 28 - Jun. 2, 2024
    8.5 MI
    732-255-0500
    View >
  - OCC Concert Band Presents
    May. 4, 2024
    8.5 MI
    732-255-0500
    View >
  - Afternoon Recital Series
    May. 17, 2024
    8.5 MI
    732-255-0500
    View >
  - MomARama Extravaganza
    May. 3, 2024
    13.0 MI
    203-695-1676
    View >
  - Magic on the Beach
    Jun. 24 - Aug. 1, 2024
    13.3 MI
    732-892-0600
    View >
  View More +
- - Activities
    
    White Sands Beach
    0.1 MI
    732-269-4456
    View >
  - Lodging
    
    Island Beach Motor Lodge
    0.1 MI
    732-793-5400
    View >
  - Dining
    
    Bum Rogers Tavern & Crab House
    0.2 MI
    732-830-2770
    View >
  - Dining
    
    Chef Mike's Atlantic Bar & Grill
    0.2 MI
    732-854-1588
    View >
  - Lodging
    
    Beach Club Hotel
    0.3 MI
    732-793-8200
    View >
  - Lodging
    
    The Belvedere Motel
    0.6 MI
    732-793-7373
    View >
  - Activities
    
    Seaside Park
    0.6 MI
    732-793-0281
    View >
  - Activities
    
    Betty and Nick's Bait & Tackle Shop
    0.9 MI
    732-793-2708
    View >
  View More +