Ocean County, N.J.
Ocean County shares the northern half of the New Jersey shore with Monmouth County, just to its north. Ocean County extends along the coast from Manasquan Inlet in the north, to Little Egg Inlet in the south. Ocean County is notably different than Monmouth County in geography, in its business, and in its development.
The geography of Ocean County is significant, and very different than Monmouth County to the north. It is further away from New York City and the metropolitan areas of northern New Jersey. As a result fewer people commute to work in these areas from Ocean County - although some do. Instead, business and industry has developed on its own in this area, in place of the bedroom community that is much of Monmouth County.
While the New Jersey mainland reaches right to the coast in Monmouth County, a barrier island that starts at almost Manasquan Inlet, extends for nearly the entire length of Ocean County. The Ocean County barrier island is well developed with interesting beach communities. Behind the barrier island are open back bays of wide deep waters supporting cruising and other water sports. The best back bays are in Ocean County.
The beachfront communities of Ocean County are well developed and populated year-round, although they swell with renters during the summer. Below are some of the towns of Ocean County.
Point Pleasant Beach
Point Pleasant Beach, on Manasquan Inlet, marks the northern end of Ocean County. This is one of the many popular beach communities in Ocean County. A public ocean beach with lifeguards is available for a few dollars a day. A popular boardwalk, the Jenkinson Boardwalk, with shops and food stretches for blocks right up to Manasquan Inlet, where you can see boats coming and going. Many marinas in the back bay, and charter fishing boats, provide bay and ocean fishing for boat owners and paying customers alike. An aquarium along the boardwalk is one of the popular attractions.
Seaside Heights
Seaside Heights is a beachfront community of less than one square mile but it has a 2 mile long boardwalk. The boardwalk, along the beach, is heavily developed with food establishments, amusements, stores and rides. Additionally, two amusement piers extend out into the Atlantic Ocean from the boardwalk. A waterpark lies across the street from the boardwalk. The beach is open to the public and protected by life guards. The highway crosses the bay from the mainland directly to Seaside Heights. A roadway also heads north along the barrier island to Point Pleasant.
Barnegat Light
The barrier island community of Barnegat Light is an organized borough, as is common on the New Jersey coast. It is a small community known as a fishing village, tourist area and limited vacation spot. Most notable is "Old Barney", the lighthouse at Barnegat Inlet. Commercial fishing is centered at the Viking Village pier, where commercial ocean fishing boats unload their catch for shipment far and wide. Some of the fresh caught fish are available in the village restaurants.
Beach Haven
Beach Haven is a beach community just north of Little Egg Inlet on Long Beach Island, the barrier island that runs from Little Egg Inlet to Barnegat Inlet. Several other similar communities are located on Long Beach Island. Beach Haven offers assorted attractions including a professional theater, amusement park, museums, and varied food establishments.