Before summer beach season is upon us, there are several off-season beaches that our community really loves!
Check out this list below to see where to explore before the crowds descend on South Jersey.
Explore our sunrise map, too! There are plenty of spots for exploring before people hit the beach and you can watch a sunrise completely alone!
Cape May
Drive down to Exit 0 and spend a day visiting the beach at Cape May!
Cape May is full of outdoor activities to explore in the off-season, from lighthouse peeping to hiking to hitting the town! Cape May has something for you, whether you’re going for an event, to see the beach, or to make it all the way to Exit 0.
There’s tons to do at the beach — Sunset Beach, the WWII bunker, the lighthouse, birding, visiting Higbee Beach on the bay, and more!
Our Cape May Winter Guide
Ocean Grove
Grab your camera and head down to Ocean Grove. It’s not as crowded (perfect for social distancing!). While you’re here, you can get some great images of Asbury Park to the north and Bradley Beach to the south. Check out this spot during the golden morning hour, too.
Asbury Park
Speaking of Asbury Park — one of the best shore towns in all of New Jersey! Walk down by the ocean in the morning for some fantastic splash shots, or check out the amazing art up by the boardwalk.
In town, there are plenty of spots to take shots too, especially after it rains! Make sure to bring your pup — the dog beach is open again!
Ready To Go?
Read Our Full Asbury Park Guide
Island Beach State Park
Explore one of our state’s fantastic state parks in the off-season. Take a hike and maybe spot a snowy owl! Serene and traffic free! There are some fantastic photo spots here, covered in our guide below.
Explore Our Guide to Island Beach State Park
Point Pleasant
You can walk forever on the beaches of Point Pleasant, but make sure you hit up the jetty. The unique concrete structures that make up the jetty make for amazing photos, especially from a drone!
Wildwood
You can also check out the dog beach (do you sense a theme, here??), but Wildwood has plenty to offer in the off-season. Walk around here and get some fantastic pictures of Morey’s Piers or the boardwalk with no people — endless opportunities! (Photo by Dan Schenker)
Lavalette
Explore this amazing beach town in the off-season — and get the bay AND the ocean! Lavallette is a hidden gem for nature photographers. You might even catch a surfer or two!
Sandy Hook
How could we make a beach list and not add Sandy Hook? Aside from the fantastic structures to photograph here, you also have full access to the park during the off-season.
Our Sandy Hook Guide
One of our top spots and a shore favorite, explore Sandy Hook — from the Voodoo Bunker to Officer’s Row. Take a long lens shot toward NYC or Atlantic Highlands.
