Best Jersey Shore Beaches

The oldest seaside resort community in the country hasn’t lost any of its luster and is still a popular beach for relaxing and exploring. Both Cape May’s lighthouse and its historic district — which is filled with lovely Victorian homes — are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Just like that other Ocean City (in Maryland), this New Jersey town has something going for it besides the great beaches: a fantastic boardwalk with plenty of entertainment. The 2.5-mile stretch is a major reason that Ocean City is billed as "America’s greatest family resort."

With the widest beaches in the state, the Wildwoods — Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood — are the perfect place for building sand castles and playing volleyball. The area even boasts a dog-friendly beach that welcomes your pups year-round.

This 18-mile-long island, known to locals as LBI, is home to a number of small beach communities. On the northern tip, climb up 217 steps to the top of the Barnegat Lighthouse for amazing views of the Atlantic. Head farther south to find great surfing spots such as Beach Haven.