With its location along the Atlantic Ocean, New Jersey is known for its coastal towns, boardwalks, and summers of fun. You’ll find sparkling seas, white sands, boating, and fishing – and these scenic New Jersey beach towns are some of the best you’ll find. There are lots of beach spots to check out in New Jersey, whether you’re moving to the state or hoping to move to the coast.
But if you’re not sure what seaside towns in New Jersey to check out, we’ve got you covered. From Atlantic City to Ocean Grove, Redfin has collected a list of the 13 best beach towns in New Jersey. Let’s dive into some of New Jersey’s top coastal cities, listed in alphabetical order, so you can find the right place for you.
Starting off our list is Asbury Park. About 15,200 people live in this coastal New Jersey town where you’ll find beaches like Asbury Park Beach. Living in Asbury Park, you can check out the beachfront activities like playing at the Silverball Retro Arcade and stopping for a meal at one of the many restaurants in town.
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Another one of New Jersey’s iconic coastal towns to consider moving to is Atlantic City, home to 38,500 people. There are plenty of beaches to visit, particularly Atlantic City Beach. Some popular things to check out in Atlantic City include exploring the Atlantic City Boardwalk, checking out Steel Pier, and stopping by the Absecon Lighthouse, among many other favorites for locals and tourists alike.
With just about 1,200 residents is the town of Avalon. There are lots of beaches to explore on a sunny New Jersey day, like the popular Seven Mile Beach. If you move to Avalon, make sure to birdwatch at Avalon Seawatch, explore the shops and restaurants along Dune Drive, and visit the Avalon Dunes and Beach Trail.
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With beautiful beaches like Belmar Beach and L Street Beach, there are countless places to spend a beach day in Belmar. About 5,900 people live in Belmar, where you can also grab a bite at a waterfront restaurant, visit Maclearie Park, and explore the charming downtown.
The quaint coastal town of Brigantine has about 7,700 residents, making it a great place to consider moving to in New Jersey. In Brigantine, you can spend the day exploring North Brigantine Natural Area or have a beach day at Brigantine Beach.
Home to roughly 2,800 people, Cape May is a great beach town to consider buying a home in. If you’re looking for a beach to explore, you can visit Cape May Beach. There are plenty of other things to do in Cape May, so make sure to also tour the Emlen Physick Estate, check out the Cape May Lighthouse, and take the ferry to Lewes, DE.
With a population of close to 8,600, Long Beach Island is an awesome coastal town to live in. There are plenty of beaches to explore like 68th Street Beach, Bay Beach, and the various public beaches. Make sure to spend the day exploring the downtown area and Fantasy Island Amusement Park, head to the north part of the island to see Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and check out all the cities on the island once living here.
Ocean City has picturesque beaches such as Ocean City Beach, Peck Beach, Surf Road Beach, and Waverly Beach, perfect for a picnic. Once moving to Ocean City, you’ll want to explore the Ocean City Boardwalk where you’ll find restaurants, rides, and games, tour the Ocean City Historical Museum, and check out Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.
Roughly 31,200 people live in this coastal city where you’ll find beaches like Ocean Grove Beach and South End Beach. Some other fun activities to do in Ocean Grove include walking along Parousia Promenade, checking out downtown Ocean Grove, and seeing a show at The Great Auditorium.
This seaside city has a population of 19,200 and there are lots of beaches to enjoy a picnic at like Point Pleasant Beach. You’ll also have plenty of activities to explore during your free time in Point Pleasant Beach, like exploring Gull Island, grabbing a meal along the waterfront, or checking out the shops downtown.
In Sea Isle City there are lots of beaches you’ll want to spend time at if you decide to move to this quaint town, like Ludlam Beach and Sea Isle Beach. This town is home to 2,100 inhabitants and you’ll find many other activities to do like exploring the charming downtown streets.
Stone Harbor has lots of beaches to explore, perfect for a sunrise or sunset view. Some famous places are Hobie Cat Beach and Stone Harbor Beach. If you’re looking for a different activity, be sure to visit the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary or grab some fresh seafood for lunch or dinner.
There’s plenty of beachfront spots to explore, like Wildwood Beach, if you decide that Wildwood is the right area for you. In this town of 5,100 residents, you can also explore the Wildwood Boardwalk where you’ll find amusement rides, shops, and restaurants, have a meal at one of the many waterfront restaurants, or fish at Back Bay West. In addition to these beach towns, there are plenty of affordable places to live in New Jersey.
Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in New Jersey. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Content Marketing Specialist. In her 4 years at Redfin, Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability. A California-native, Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers’ markets. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.
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