Headed To The Beach? Find Out Where You Can't Go

With the summer season kicking off this weekend at the Jersey Shore, and beautiful, sunny weather expected, the beaches will probably be crowded.

Some areas may be more crowded than usual, however, because of closures caused by beach replenishment projects up and down the coast.

One place you won’t find beach replenisment closures is in northern Ocean County. Those projects are on hold -- much to the dismay of many residents and local officials -- until at least next year, according to Toms River officials, due to legal battles. From Point Pleasant Beach to Island Beach State Park, the biggest issue is big drop-offs from the tops of what dunes exist to the beach. Temporary access ramps have been built to facilitate access.

If you’re planning to go to Island Beach State Park, the best advice is to go early. On weekends -- especially this weekend -- the parking fills up quickly, and when it’s full, no more vehicles are allowed into the park. Also remember that if you’re trying to access the bayside beach in the area of Tices Shoal, you will have to pay a fee to go on the beach from the water.

In Monmouth County, beach work will disrupt access in Loch Arbour and Allenhurst and in Long Branch, but not until after this weekend, according to NJ.com. In Loch Arbour and Allenhurst, the Army Corps has been working to remove World War I munitions that have been unearthed by the dredging. A video produced by the Army Corps (below) addresses that issue.

On Long Beach Island, beach replenishment began May 9. This weekend it will affect 20th through 25th avenues in Ship Bottom, with those access points closed, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.

In Cape May County, Ocean City’s access points at 53rd and 54th street are closed while beach replenishment is underway there, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. The section from 55th Street to 49th Street is expected to be completed by mid-June.

In Strathmere, the work is being done at Whittier and Willard avenues, with closures at Whittier, Willard, Williams and Winthrop avenues. That section north to Corson’s Inlet State Park is expected to be completed by mid-June as well.

Curious about the status of projects? Check the Army Corps coastal project website here for projects from Manasquan Inlet on south. Information on Monmouth County’s project can be found here.

(Beach erosion and lingering impacts from Hurricane Sandy have led to steep drop-offs along many areas in Ocean County, including Ortley Beach. Credit: Karen Wall)