59°
Sunny
0%
35
Ocean County, NJ · Atlantic Ocean
Island Beach State Park
23 Shore Rd, Seaside Park, NJ 08752
10 miles of virtually undeveloped barrier beach below Seaside Park — one of the last pristine stretches of Atlantic barrier on the East Coast. 21 beaches total; #1 and #2 are lifeguarded with showers and a snack bar, the rest are wild and quiet. Fills to capacity almost every summer weekend by 9-10 AM.
Today's Conditions
Decent day for photography.
NWS alert active · 59°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 59. West wind around 20 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 47. West wind around 20 mph.
Weather
- 59°F air — chilly for a beach day
- 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 3.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued november 7 at 1:11pm est until november 8 at 9:00am est by nws mount holly nj
35 /100
ok
4 Swim
38 Sunbathe
65 Walk
25 Fish
66 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.9 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued November 7 at 1:11PM EST until November 8 at 9:00AM EST by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 6 ft. * WHERE...Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM and Coastal waters from Little Egg Inlet to Great Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM. * WHEN...Until 9 AM EST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
59°F
Clear
Wind
20 mph
W
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
8 Good
PM2.5 (fine particles) · Southeast Burlington and Ocean Counties
UV Peak
3 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~67m
Burn-free before 11 AM & after 01 PM
Tomorrow
60°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Wave Height
3.9 ft
10s · SSE swell
Water Quality
No recent sample
Last reading 4mo ago: clean
USGS · not a current condition
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:31 AM
Sunset
4:48 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:41 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 11:59 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 5:58 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:02 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:22 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 12:44 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:40 PM | High | 4.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:40 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:01 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 1:25 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:20 PM | High | 3.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:16 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:38 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 2:05 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:59 PM | High | 3.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:51 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:15 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 2:44 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:37 PM | High | 3.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:25 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:53 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 3:26 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 9:18 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 9:33 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 4:11 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 10:03 PM | High | 3.2 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8534720, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
60°
Sunny
1%
52
59°
Sunny
0%
46
62°
Sunny
0%
60
60°
Sunny
0%
62
57°
Chance Light Rain
34%
40
52°
Chance Light Rain
45%
23
What to Bring Today
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 61°F
- recommended Layers / windbreaker Only 59°F outside
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Minor
4:30 AM - 5:30 AM
Major
9:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Minor
3:10 PM - 4:10 PM
Beach Info
Parking
State park lots. Park closes to new vehicles once full.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited in most areas in-season; check DEP map for allowed sections.
Entry Fee
NJ res $6 wkd / $10 wknd; non-res $12 wkd / $20 wknd (in-season). Off-season: NJ $5, non-res $10.
Address
23 Shore Rd, Seaside Park, NJ 08752
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Island Beach State Park today?
Island Beach State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Island Beach State Park dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited in most areas in-season; check DEP map for allowed sections.
Is there an entry fee at Island Beach State Park?
NJ res $6 wkd / $10 wknd; non-res $12 wkd / $20 wknd (in-season). Off-season: NJ $5, non-res $10.
Are there lifeguards at Island Beach State Park?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Island Beach State Park during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Island Beach State Park?
Amenities at Island Beach State Park include lifeguards (beaches 1-2), 21 beaches, showers, snack bar, bird blinds, kayak/canoe tours, interpretive center.
When is the water warmest at Island Beach State Park?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Island Beach State Park located?
Island Beach State Park is in Ocean County, NJ, at 23 Shore Rd, Seaside Park, NJ 08752.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS