B51 Photography / Mark Brown

By Jeremy Schneider and Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

New Jersey has the best beaches in the world. It's a fact. It's science. OK, maybe it isn't, but if you love the Jersey Shore as much as we do, you know that feeling as well as we do.

But which of New Jersey's amazing beaches is the bar-none beach that beats the britches off of all the other beautiful beaches? And there's only one way to find that out.

You guessed it: We went to all of them.

We spent the past two weeks scoping out all of the beaches in the great state of New Jersey, from Sandy Hook all the way down to Cape May. We judged all oceanfront beaches (no bay, lake or riverfront) on beach quality, crowd type and size, parking availability, and surrounding food, drink and recreation. We went to one beach per town — for example, Ortley Beach was the representative for Toms River and Island Beach State Park checks in for Berkeley Township.

Before we go any further, keep in mind that being the worst beach in New Jersey is kind of like being the worst pizza in New Jersey — you're still pretty amazing.

Check out where your favorite beach landed below. And let us know what we got wrong in the comment section.

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44. Wildwood

Chances are, you'll either love or hate Wildwood (not North Wildwood or Wildwood Crest, just plain old Wildwood). It's crowded. It's crazy. It has a quintessential — and massive — boardwalk with rollercoasters and water slides and go-karts. Plenty to do! Also, plenty to be overwhelmed by. The beach itself is huge, which helps accommodate the large crowds. Come for the boardwalk, not the beach.

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43. Seaside Park

Some of the charm of Seaside Heights without all of the craziness. A little less crowded, but the beach actually isn't as nice. Plenty of metered parking, which is nice, but frankly, this just feels like a watered-down Seaside Heights. Next!

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Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

42. Long Beach Township

Honestly? This beach is actually pretty nice! It has some benches and a nice gazebo overlooking the beach and the dunes. The problem? Parking. There's essentially none. If you can find parking, you're in for a nice day at the beach. But good luck with that.

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41. Bay Head

Bay Head, which you may know as the town you pass through on your way down to Seaside or up to Point Pleasant, features a very narrow beach with only a few public entrances. But if you don’t need any more than a small patch of sand on which to sit, it’s a sneaky little spot the average out-of-towner probably wouldn’t find.

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40. Mantoloking

Same setup as Bay Head: small beach, limited access, no frills. If that’s your game, don’t let us stop you.

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39. North Wildwood

A little less crazy than regular Wildwood but still pretty packed with boardwalk hoopla. If touristy boardwalks are your thing, you're in the right place. If you don't like overly crowded beaches that are underwhelming and a bit dirty, keep looking.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

38. Deal

Deal can be tricky. It’s a large beach but most blocks don’t have public entrances, and those that do have their own stipulations. For instance, Hathaway Avenue is a paid entrance onto the beach, while Darlington Avenue isn’t, but you cannot swim at Darlington. Maybe it’s just easier to drive around and gawk at the ridiculously opulent shore mansions along Ocean Avenue.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

37. Allenhurst

A small, quiet spot between Asbury Park and Long Branch with a private feel and a spotless beach. You can tell Allenhurst apart from other Jersey beaches by its border of private cabanas occupied by members of the local beach club. But the beach is, in fact, public, and it’s pretty darn pristine. Just don’t expect much otherwise -- no food or recreation, just residential property and large old shore homes.

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36. Monmouth Beach

Unless you’re a member at one of the town’s ritzy beach clubs, you’ll be climbing over a rock wall to access a very narrow strip of coarse sand off Route 36 in Monmouth County. Beautiful homes nearby but not much else. Limited parking as well.

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Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

35. Margate City

Good luck finding parking here. There's a nice pier to hang out on or fish off of at this beach, and there are nice dunes as well. But the beach itself isn't the cleanest.

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34. Brigantine

The beach is just north of Atlantic City, giving you an interesting view of the skyline. Some might find that charming, others might find it off-putting. An incredibly long walk from pretty limited parking to a very flat beach. There's nothing really wrong with this beach, but nothing stands out, either.

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33. Ventnor City

Want to go to the beach near Atlantic City without actually being in the shadows of Boardwalk Hall, the Tropicana and Bally's? Ventnor City is your move. You can walk to the Atlantic City Boardwalk from here, which is nice, but you still have your distance. The beach is big and solid, though nothing to really write home about.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

32. Loch Arbour

It can be difficult to locate Loch Arbour, even when you’re looking for it. This minuscule village, home to no more than 200 people, is barely one-tenth of a square mile in size. So you can imagine how small the beach is — only a couple of blocks worth of sand just north of Asbury Park. Still, it’s a serene little sliver of shore property that’s kept pristine by lack of foot traffic and is a fine place to lie — where others wouldn’t even think to explore.

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Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

31. Seaside Heights

I mean, where else in the world do you get a ski lift, creamsicle soft serve, rollercoasters, hermit crabs, and the beach? Embrace the melting pot that is Seaside Heights, folks. The beach is actually surprisingly solid for a tourist trap. But if you don't like that vibe, you're not gonna like the Heights.

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Editors: You need to go to Atlantic City for #NJbeachranks

Me: 🤷🏼‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/rjF1PetpxO — Jeremy Schneider (@J_Schneider) June 21, 2018

30. Atlantic City

Going to Atlantic City for the beach is kind of like going to Peter Luger's for the fish. Yeah, you can do it, but you're missing the point. Then again, if you're going down to A.C. to gamble and you want to catch some rays after you run out of cash, by all means. Either way, you know what you're getting when you go to Atlantic City. A lot of fun, but not a nice beach. Put $20 on black for us while you're there, though.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

29. Sea Girt

A good little getaway in southern Monmouth County, with a small boardwalk backing up to expensive shore homes, perfectly manicured lawns and the ever-popular Parker House restaurant and bar. Families and teens populate here, and it’s relatively quiet during the week. Parking can be a challenge for sure in Sea Girt. A pavilion serves wraps, finger foods and some snacks.

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28. Longport

There isn't a whole lot surrounding Longport, and parking is very limited. But once you get to the beach, it's not too crowded and the water is nice and deep.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

27. Sea Isle City

Come for the clean, though buggy, beaches with soft sand. Stay for Fish Alley, an Italian neighborhood loaded with seafood restaurants and history. The neighborhood has faced challenges in recent years, namely flooding and storms, but the city is protecting and promoting the area now.

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26. Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove is the shore town that time forgot. It’s a pipsqueak oceanfront section of Neptune Township peppered with amazing Victorian homes and known for its Methodist worship events. But locals know the beach is delightful, too, if you can get to it — parking in Ocean Grove come summertime is notoriously challenging. The crowd certainly skews older, there’s a fine new boardwalk reconstructed after Sandy, and a food court with seafood and burritos sits at the walk’s north end.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

25. Avon-by-the-Sea

Let the globular, Victorian street lamps lead you in. Avon-by-the-sea (and that's Ah-von, not Ay-von) is a quaint, family-friendly town with a fine and well-maintained beachfront just north of Belmar. While it can get plenty crowded on nice days, it's still a beautiful place populated by immaculate yards and homes along its boardwalk. The Avon Pavilion provides a sit-down meal, but there isn't much else to do near the Avon beach except, well, go to the beach.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

24. Belmar

Oh, Belmar. It's a big, long and wide beach that has been and continues to be one of the Jersey Shore's hottest destinations for daytrippers. If you can find somewhere to park — good luck on a busy day — there's plenty to eat and drink, from more upscale spots like Dolce Vita to big ol' bars like D'Jais where you can booze it up with the best of 'em. Are families welcome? Sure, but Belmar knows how to party and its bustling beach atmosphere reflects that.

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23. Spring Lake

An affluent shorefront community just south of Belmar where there isn’t much to do along the ocean other than, well, go to the beach. It’s a gorgeous and well-maintained patch of sand that’s generally pretty quiet, and offers a walk-up pavilion peddling burgers, sandwiches and ice cream.

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22. Sea Bright

Sea Bright is still repairing and shoring up its oceanfront post-Sandy, but if you don’t mind a little construction, it’s a great beach with its entire downtown right on the other side of Route 36. Good size, nice break to the ocean, and on a clear day you can make out the Manhattan skyline. Fun fact: Pop mega-star Charlie Puth is from nearby Rumson, and his favorite restaurant is Anjelica’s in Sea Bright.

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MaryAnn Spoto | For NJ Advance Media

21. Point Pleasant Beach

A classic example of an OK beach with a really great surrounding area. Point Pleasant's beach itself isn't going to blow you away — it's fine, flat and spacious, though crowded. But Jenkinson's Boardwalk is an absolute classic shore spot, loaded with arcade games and candy to make you feel like a kid again. Even if you don't hit the beach, hit the boardwalk.

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B51 Photography / Mark Brown

20. Surf City

The central-most beach in Long Beach Island, meaning you can expect bigger crowds and tougher parking but also more food in the area. The beach was under construction when we visited, but it's still a well-kempt spot with nice sand and really good waves for bodysurfing. LBI is great, so it's no surprise one of its flagship beaches is pretty solid.

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Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

19. Asbury Park

Perhaps the trendiest beach in all the Jersey Shore due to the surrounding city’s revitalization. You’ll find a diverse group of people here, sunbathing and playing games on a decent beach adjacent to an uber-popular boardwalk with restaurants, bars, shops and the Silverball Pinball Museum. Pro tip: Go north of Convention Hall and you’ll find more space, and a dog-friendly beach at Eighth Avenue. There’s a good deal of parking lots and side streets, but you’re battling an immense crowd every summer weekend.

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18. Ortley Beach

There isn't anything super fancy about Ortley Beach. But there ain't nothing wrong with that. A solid, simple boardwalk. A nice, clean beach with enough size to accommodate a decent crowd. A little less fancy than neighboring Lavallette but much of the same charm.

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

17. Island Beach State Park

This beach became infamous when some guy named Chris Christie went to it with his family even though it was closed during a government shutdown. Forget all that, though. Island Beach State Park is similar to Sandy Hook in a lot of ways — very natural and visually appealing with a fee for parking. You'll need to drive a ways to get to the beach and you won't be near anything else, though there is a solid food court (even with booze!) at your disposal.

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Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

16. Avalon

Super chill, not super crowded and with a town that's filled with fun things to do. There's an Uncle Bill's Pancake House in town, serving some of the best damn pancakes you'll ever eat. The beach itself is nice and long, though it is a bit of a hike to get from the street parking to the sand.

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Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

15. Strathmere

Do you like turtles? C'mon, everyone likes turtles. And there are so many turtles in this area that there are literally "Turtle X-ing" signs all over the place. So be careful! We didn't see any turtles, though. We did see a quiet, natural beach with incredibly limited parking.

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Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

14. Barnegat Light

One of the most beautiful and natural beaches you'll find in New Jersey. Finding the beach itself can be a bit of a hike, as there's a lot of space between the limited parking and the water. But once you're there, it's relaxing and pure. A trip to the town's lighthouse, known as "Old Barney," may be in order, especially if you're up for the 217-step climb for one of the best views of Long Beach Island.

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13. Wildwood Crest

If you want some of the feel of Wildwood's craziness without full-blown sensory overload, Wildwood Crest is probably your move. Less crowded than its crazy cousin to the north and definitely cleaner and nicer. Not as much to do in the area, but that's kind of the point. And the beach is enormous.

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12. Long Branch

A typical New Jersey beach town with an upscale flip due to the construction of the Pier Village, and all of its luxury condos, restaurants, bars and shops. You’ll get all types of folks here, from teens and college-age daytrippers to families and locals. While there are plenty of parking lots and infrastructure, Long Branch gets PACKED on a sunny day. The farther you can stray from the Village center, the quieter it’ll be.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

11. Sandy Hook

There’s no easy way to get to Sandy Hook, but if you’re searching for a true-blue beach getaway in Monmouth County, look no further. Sandy Hook, which is part of the multi-state Gateway National Recreation Area, is massive, with six miles of beach and multiple public areas at which to park and plant yourself. There are also wildlife trails to explore, and at the north end of the barrier split resides the Sandy Hook Lighthouse — the oldest operating lighthouse in the U.S. If you really want to be adventurous, Gunnison Beach is a nude beach. Oh, and you can see the Empire State Building on a clear day.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ Advance Media

10. Stone Harbor

Take your shoes off and feel the sand in between your toes — because the sand here is damn incredible. It's super soft and clean, adding to the natural beauty of this beach. There isn't a whole lot of parking, but once you have parked, the walk to get to the water isn't long and you'll be able to enjoy the dunes. Taylor Swift and her family used to come here. If this beach is good enough for T-Swift, it's good enough for you.

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Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

9. Harvey Cedars

Less than a hike than Barnegat Light — it's not all the way north up on Long Beach Island, and the walk from your car to the beach is shorter as well — but much of the same natural qualities. A very quiet town and beach, helped by the fact that the sand itself is pretty broad, making it a great spot for some peace and quiet.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

8. Bradley Beach

A slightly narrow but otherwise beautiful beach just south of Asbury Park, with more families and senior citizens strolling the stone boardwalk, and a welcoming aesthetic. A boardwalk grill serves some basic eats, and there’s a miniature golf course for some added fun. Reasonable parking, too, and a far more relaxed vibe than its nearby Monmouth County cousins. A solid bet if you’re looking for a more northern spot in the sand.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

7. Cape May Point

Much of the beauty of Cape May without the crowd. Cape May Point State Park is loaded with outdoor activities like hiking and birding. Not quite as bustling as Cape May, but you aren't far from downtown, either.

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Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

6. Manasquan

If you’re looking for a more northern locale to provide an all-around great day at the beach, try Manasquan. The sand and surf are fine, it’s a nice mix of people — families, teens, couples, seniors — and instead of a boardwalk, there’s a small road that patrons use as a walkway along the beach, accessing tacos, drinks, food from Gee Gee’s and a small arcade. It gets crowded near the main entrance during peak times, but if you stray in either direction, you’ll be OK. Fun fact: Bruce Springsteen had his first adult beverage at The Osprey in Manasquan back in the early ‘70s.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

5. Ship Bottom

A big, beautiful beach with very nice dunes smack dab in the middle of LBI. Once you're thirsty, you can hit the Port Hole Cafe, one of the shore's best dives, for a cold beer.

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4. Lavallette

This beach is a little narrow, but that's pretty much the only complaint. A very natural beach, with clean water and sand that is clearly well maintained. Maybe the most aesthetically pleasing beach we saw on the entire tour, with a cute, quiet town to explore. Try Meg's Grill for breakfast!

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

3. Ocean City

One of the most unique beaches in the state. A boardwalk that strikes a perfect balance between old school and touristy, accompanied by a quaint town surrounded by water. Gillian's Wonderland Pier, Playland's Castaway Cove and OC Waterpark mean even more to do in the area. It's a bit crowded, and the beach itself could be bigger, but it's an excellent experience nonetheless.

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Mark Brown | For NJ Advance Media

2. Beach Haven

Just about every beach on Long Beach Island is excellent, but Beach Haven's chill vibe and excellent surrounding attractions make it the best of the best. Low-key and unassuming, doing away with some of the pretentiousness that you can find down the shore. The Sea Shell is the perfect place for a beach weekend. And if you don't spend a night playing skeeball at Fantasy Island, you're doing it wrong.

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B51 Photography / Mark Brown

1. Cape May

It's Exit 0 on the Garden State Parkway, but No. 1 on our list. There's just a different feel to this beach than any other in the state. The beach is big, clean and absolutely gorgeous, with ample parking. The surrounding area isn't your typical beach town, as it featuring tree-lined blocks of beautiful Victorian homes. The food in town is excellent as well — stop in for a beer at Carney's, the clam pizza at Lucky Bones Back Water Grille and the raspberry truffle ice cream at Fine Fellows Creamistry. Yeah, it's a long trip to get to Cape May. But it's absolutely worth it.

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Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook



Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.