83°
Mostly Sunny
6%
82
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
Ideal for swimming.
78°F water · 83°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind around 15 mph.
Tonight
A slight chance of rain showers after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Weather
- 83°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
82 /100
great
85 Swim
77 Sunbathe
84 Walk
70 Fish
79 Photo
Best for swimming today
Water level 0.6 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
83°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
15 mph
S
Rain
6%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
7 High
High 12 PM–02 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
84°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Water
Water Temp
78°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
7:17 PM
5.9 ft · in 0m
Wave Height
1.6 ft
10s · ESE swell
Barometer
30.21 inHg
Falling 1.3 hPa / 3h · buoy 44065
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ338)
The OKX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NYZ075 Kings (Brooklyn) — Coney Island Beach and Manhattan Beach Low in the AM, becoming high late
- NYZ178 Southern Queens — Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway Beach Low in the AM, becoming high late
- NYZ179 Southern Nassau — Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Low in the AM, becoming high late
- NYZ080 Southwestern Suffolk — Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park Low in the AM, becoming high late
- NYZ081 Southeastern Suffolk — Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, Low in the AM, becoming high late
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:30 AM
Sunset
7:16 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:57 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 6:59 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 1:06 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:17 PM | High | 5.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:45 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 7:47 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 1:57 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:03 PM | High | 5.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:30 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 8:32 AM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 2:47 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:47 PM | High | 5.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:13 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 9:16 AM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 3:33 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 9:30 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:53 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 9:58 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 4:17 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 10:13 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:30 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 10:41 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 4:58 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:58 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:06 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 11:25 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:40 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 11:45 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8531680, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
84°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
19%
65
77°
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
27%
75
75°
Mostly Sunny
2%
81
78°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
66%
21
78°
Mostly Sunny
3%
85
77°
Mostly Sunny
3%
82
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 78°F
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
10:30 PM - 12:30 AM
Minor
4:20 AM - 5:20 AM
Major
10:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Minor
6:10 PM - 7:10 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