Manasquan Beach: Best Beaches in the Mid-Atlantic
Manasquan Beach has some interesting things to recommend it in addition to the usual beach enticements. For one thing, a portion of the beach is handicapped accessible: something that is indeed rare. For another, it has an old-time restaurant/arcade, which draws kids and their families during the day and young adults at night. It's a best beach for singles, couples, families, retirees, dog lovers, and those who are physically handicapped.
Beach Rating
Beach Personality: Ideal Beach For The Kids And Grandparents Alike
Manasquan’s two unique amenities are Elks Beach and Gee Gee’s Restaurant and Arcade.
Elks Beach at Ocean Avenue and the boardwalk is the only beach on the Jersey Shore that provides a wooden boardwalk leading to a platform directly on the beach. There are also handicapped wheelchairs available for use on the beach and in the shallow water at the ocean’s edge. It’s called Elks Beach because these facilities were provided by the local Elk’s Lodge.
Gee Gee’s Restaurant and Arcade (732-223-4887) at 201 Beach Front on the Manasquan boardwalk is a Manasquan institution with many loyal customers who have been coming for over 30 years. Gee Gee’s serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night snacks. The only thing it doesn’t serve is alcohol, but many a person has ended up at Gee Gee’s after a night on the town. Open all year and almost 24 hours a day, Gee Gee’s is a daytime magnet for families and a nighttime hangout for singles and young couples. The menu is classic American take out food with pizza, burgers, hot dogs, subs, etc. Should you want to play some arcade games before or after your meal, the arcade is right next door. Or, if you’re a tired parent who wants some quiet time, give your kids some money and watch them disappear inside for hours.
Beach Activities:
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Boogie boarding
- Skim boarding
- Paddle boarding (SUP)
- Surfing
- Volleyball
- Fishing
- Lounging
- Boardwalk
Beach Amenities:
- Public bathrooms – Yes.
- Showers – Yes.
- Parking – Yes, for a fee at meters and lots. Parking is very limited.
- Food – Yes.
- Lifeguard – Yes, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
- Dogs allowed on the beach – Yes, at Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area on the Manasquan Inlet. Dogs must be leashed.
Additionally, badges are required for beach entry during the season. See Manasquan, New Jersey for more information.
Beach Rentals:
Shark River Kayak in Belmar offers kayak rentals and tours, paddle board (SUP) rentals and SUP yoga classes, softboard rentals and surf lessons. Belmar is about 10 minutes north of Manasquan.
Beach House in Bay Head rents boogie boards and skimboards, and has surfboard and paddle board (SUP) rentals and lessons. Bay Head is about a 10-minute drive south of Manasquan.
Directions:
Manasquan Beach is located in Manasquan NJ, 08736 just east of 1st Avenue from slightly north of Stockton Avenue to Riverside Drive. Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area is located on 3rd Avenue between Brielle Road and Riverside Drive.
To reach Manasquan from the north or south, take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 98. Continue on to Route 34 south. At the interchange where Routes 34, 35, and 70 meet, take Route 35 south. Turn left on Route 71, Union Avenue. Continue to Fisk Avenue and take a right. Fisk Avenue becomes Brielle Road. Continue on Brielle Road to 3rd Avenue if you’re going to the dog park and 1st Avenue if you’re going to the beach.
To many joyful beach experiences!
— Lisa Dworkin
Photos courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. More photos on Flickr.
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