Island Beach State Park


 Island Beach State Park, NJ is located on the Barnegat Peninsula in New Jersey. Most of this park is open to the general public on the south side, but the north end is a wild life refuge and is protected by law against human invaders. You can access this Island Beach State Park by taking Route 37 east to Route 35 South to the parks entrance or you can reach it by boat access by going through the Tices Shoals around access area 7. You will have to anchor your boat by the bay and walk the short distance to the beach.
During the summer months they have daily programs at the beaches. Late mornings they give a beach tour where you can interact with a naturalist and search the beach for treasures. This naturalist will explain the area’s animals and plants and how the changing environment has changed them. You area also invited to watch the professionals seine the bay using a large net to catch some of the fish and aquatic animals. If you plan on joining in you must wear water shoes to be able to participate. Another fun activity is the Fish Tank Feeding Frenzy in the afternoon. The use the fish and aquatic animals that they seined from the bay to stock their fish tanks and invite the public to watch them being fed.

Picnicking and barbequing are permitted on certain areas of the beach. However you must remember to leave it the same way you found it, meaning not to leave any trash behind and to make sure that all fires are extinguished. Any disregards for these rules can carry a steep fine. If you’re not the picnicking type then you can visit the many restaurants just outside of the Island Beach State Park entrance such as Bum Rogers Tavern. Here you can enjoy fresh seafood like shrimp, mussels, crabs, or salmon. There is also Top of the Mast that is a restaurant that features spacious dining area that overlooks a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Directions: On NJ-37 East you will need to exit at exit 82 towards Seaside Heights/Island Beach State Park. Then you will merge onto NJ-35 South towards Seaside Park/Island Beach State Park. Follow signs to Island Beach State Park.