10 Best NJ Beaches Named In New Ranking: See List

NEW JERSEY - While it’s a no-brainer that New Jersey touts some of the best beaches in the nation, the best beaches to be found down the shore have long been disputed.

Enter USAToday’s 10 Best Beaches in New Jersey ranking, created from an expert panel shortlist and voted on by USAToday readers. Published Wednesday, the guide offers 10 beach contenders along 130 miles of coastline featuring large swaths of sand, boardwalk hubs, lifeguard-monitored beaches, surf spots, sunbathing spots, foodie havens, shopping strips and more.

See the full ranking of USAToday’s 10 Best Beaches in New Jersey below:

10. Asbury Park
9. Brigantine Beach (Brigantine)
8. Island Beach State Park (Seaside Park)
7. Avalon
6. Long Beach Island
5. Cape May
4. Atlantic City
3. Sea Isle City
2. Ocean City
1. The Wildwoods

“Featuring the largest stretches of sand on the Jersey Shore (500 yards wide at points), The Wildwoods provide plenty of space for beachgoers to spread out,” USAToday said of the ranking’s top slot occupant.

“In fact, they offer a unique beach taxi service that brings visitors from the boardwalk to a spot closer to the ocean to set up their chairs and umbrellas. On the beach, guests can play volleyball, surf, boogie board, or just play in the waves. Surrounded by iconic retro architecture, the legendary Wildwood Boardwalk is a big entertainment hub, offering an electric vibe day and night.”

You can read the full USAToday ranking here.

Noticeably absent from the list was Belmar Beach, which was dubbed the eighth-best beach in the Northeast last summer, according to a 2023 USAToday poll. Cape May and Ocean City beaches also topped that list, with the latter coming in at No. 1.