61°
Mostly Sunny
1%
23
Monmouth County, NJ · Atlantic Ocean
Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)
128 S Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732
A 6-mile barrier-beach peninsula at the mouth of NY Harbor — part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Seven lettered beaches (A-E plus North and Gunnison) with sweeping Manhattan-skyline views. Sandy Hook has NYC's closest federally-managed ocean beach, plus Fort Hancock history and the oldest working lighthouse in the country.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Swim advisory · 25 mph wind · 61°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. West wind 15 to 25 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. West wind 20 to 25 mph.
Weather
- 61°F air — chilly for a beach day
- 25 mph wind — strong wind — umbrellas will flip
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 4.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- Swim advisory — state environmental agency flagged water quality
23 /100
skip
0 Swim
33 Sunbathe
63 Walk
7 Fish
63 Photo
Best for walking today
Swim advisory: Closed for Season
Sampled at Horseshoe Cove.
Water level 0.7 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
15 to 25 mph
W
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
25 Good
Ozone · Central
UV Peak
3 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~67m
Burn-free before 11 AM & after 01 PM
Tomorrow
62°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Wave Height
4.9 ft
5s · WNW swell
Barometer
29.78 inHg
Falling 0.7 hPa / 3h · buoy 44065
Water Quality
No recent sample
Last reading 4mo ago: clean
USGS · not a current condition
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:32 AM
Sunset
4:46 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 12:19 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:17 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:27 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:40 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 1:04 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:59 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:07 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:18 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 1:47 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:39 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:46 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:55 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 2:28 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 8:19 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:25 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 8:33 AM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 3:08 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:59 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:02 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 9:11 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 3:46 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:43 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:38 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 9:52 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 4:25 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 10:31 PM | High | 3.9 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8531680, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
62°
Sunny
2%
47
59°
Sunny
4%
38
61°
Sunny
0%
54
60°
Mostly Sunny
0%
56
56°
Chance Light Rain
27%
37
52°
Chance Light Rain
42%
15
What to Bring Today
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 15 to 25 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- critical Skip the swim Active swim advisory from MD DOE
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
NPS lots at each beach. Fills by 9-10 AM summer weekends.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on recreational beaches Mar 15 – Labor Day. Allowed on leash other months.
Entry Fee
$20/vehicle daily, $100 seasonal (Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day, 8 AM – 6 PM)
Address
128 S Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) today?
Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) 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 Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on recreational beaches Mar 15 – Labor Day. Allowed on leash other months.
Is there an entry fee at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?
$20/vehicle daily, $100 seasonal (Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day, 8 AM – 6 PM)
Are there lifeguards at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?
Amenities at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) include lifeguards, seven beaches, restrooms, bike trail, fort hancock, lighthouse, visitor center, snack bars.
When is the water warmest at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?
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 Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) located?
Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) is in Monmouth County, NJ, at 128 S Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS