Cruising New Jersey - Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook is the northern-most piece of the New Jersey coast. It's a narrow beachy pennisula, less than a mile wide, extending about six miles north from the New Jersey mainland. It is pointed directly at the entrance to New York Harbor. The Sandy Hook lighthouse is more than a mile from the northern tip of Sandy Hook, although it was built close to the original end of the pennisula. Currents and wind have moved sand north and extended Sandy Hook.
Behind the protection of Sandy Hook, to the West is the Lower Bay, extending abaout 14 miles West to the commercial harbor of Perth Amboy. The section of the Lower Bay farthest west is known as Raritan Bay, while the section immediately behind Sandy Hook is known as Sandy Hook Bay. Also behind Sandy Hook is the "Navy Pier" which extends 2.1 miles into Sandy Hook Bay and provides deep water access for any Navy Vessels that visit the area. There is a Restricted Security Zone around the Navy Pier.
Sandy Hook Bay is joined by the Shrewsbury River as it drains along the inside shore of Sandy Hook, separating it from the mainland. The river is navigable and leads to two back bays that are home to many private craft.
On the Ocean side of Sandy Hook heading south along the coast, is a constant connection of beachfront communities, within commuting distance of New York City. Sea Bright, near the mainland connection with Atlantic Highlands; Monmouth Beach, Long Branch and Deal, the party communities of Asbury Park and Ocean Grove, and Bradley Beach before reaching the Shark River Inlet - a total of about 18 Nautical Miles from the northern tip of Sandy Hook. The Shark River inlet is navigable and leads to a small back bay and municipal lauch ramp. Most of the back bay is shallow, but anchorage areas may be available.
Continuing south along the coast passes Belmar, Spring Lake, and Seagirt, before reaching Manasquan and the Manasquan Inlet, about 5 NM south of the Shark Inlet and 23 NM from the northern tip of Sandy Hook. Manasquan Inlet is a more active and substantial inlet than the Shark Inlet.