Manasquan Beach

I came here on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds and find parking easier. Don’t park in the 1-​hr signed area or the cops will likely ticket you.
The beach and the bathroom facilities were clean. At the southern-​most area is a crazy boardwalk made of giant rock boulders where if you’re clumsy and fall you will get hurt (or die)…so it was so much fun to walk it to the very end where you’ll reach a concrete platform made of weird shapes. Sadly, deviants have graffitti’ed up that part.
Lots of surfing here!

I love the jersey shore but not the loudness of too many people. I have never been to this beach before. Someone told me to check it out and I am glad I did!
This beach is clean, not too noisy and is now my favorite beach.

We left Atlantic City to relax at this beach. Its quiet, family friendly, clean and beautiful. Its picture perfect.
Fun to watch the surfers from the inlet and walking to look at the unique beach houses.
One of my favorite beaches.

Traffic on the way was a bit heavy and parking proved to be a bitch during the 4^th of July weekend… but Manasquan Beach was a great spot for a semi-​impromptu beach day for the boyfriend and I.
I have been schooled by locals for the past two summers on where the «best» beaches are along the Jersey Shore and/​or Long Island, so I’m quite surprised Manasquan Beach was never mentioned. The sand, albeit rocky, was clean of any trash/​debris and the water temperature was refreshingly cold (don’t let the first dip deter you — it gets better, I promise!). There’s no boardwalk (and few beach bars, from what I saw), so I’d bookmark Manasquan for the beach trips that entail plenty of sunbathing, frisbee-​throwing, water-​splashing, etc. As it’s relatively close, it’s good for a quick day-​trip but next time, I think I’d want to either rent a house for the week or plan an overnight trip.
The Cali part of me is still a little disturbed by the fact that one needs to pay an entrance fee to get on the beach, but apparently that’s the norm (absurd!). $ 8/​person is no big deal (and cheaper than what I expected, based on what other’s have told me). Well-​worth it!
Now, if anyone finds a pair of Ray-​Ban wayfarers wash up along the one-​mile beach that is Manasquan Beach, please send it my way; I’m in dire need of it for my weekend sunbathing in Central Park…

If you are looking for a beach to take your dog to, this is the place to be!
It was a bit hard to find because it is not really labeled on the street, but if you drive past it, you can’t miss it. There is plenty of free street parking (we went during the week, so I’m sure the weekends are much busier), as well as a lot ($ 6 for the day). Walking through the dunes with your pooch, you’ll find lots of available trash cans, as well as «Dog Mitt» stands in case you’ve forgotten your bags.
Once you walk out upon the clean beach, there are a few options. To the left towards the road, the beach is a bit more shallow and rocky, and the water is pretty deep upon entry (to the knees, maybe a little higher). There seem to be less people on this end, since it’s not as comfortable to sit– however, if I were to go back, I would sit on this end because there are less people.
If you walk straight ahead, the waves come up pretty far, but the water is about ankle/​mid-​calf. This shallow water goes out pretty far, so this is a great spot to throw a ball for your pup! The water is very clean, just a little bit of sea weed. Also all sand, no rocks. This is also a pretty populated area of the beach. This is where we sat, and the sand was very clean.
To the right, the beach curves, with more sand, and a bit dingier water (lots of seaweed, etc.).
This beach does «require» each dog to be on a leash, and it asks for a 6 foot leash. It looks like a lot of the regulars have loop-​holed this rule by making MASSIVLY long leashes with long ropes, so that the dog can have a romp while still under control. Not a bad idea, and this is something I will do when we go back.
TIP: Do not bring an extenda-​leash! The sand gets caught in the buttons and the mechanism, and chances of accidentally ruining your leash are high.
Also, a lot of people have their dogs «on the leash,» but don’t hold their end of the leash so that the dogs still run freely. This became a bit annoying– most of the people who did this were very inattentive of their dogs, and we spent a lot of time untangling the leashes of these dogs from our own. Then we sent the dogs on their way, not sure who they belonged to. A few other dogs who were off the leash completely also drank out of our dogs water bowl (which of course I don’t mind, but like, where are your parents with your own water?).
All in all, this was a great place to go for the day. Our puppies had a blast, and most of the other dogs and people at the beach were very respectful.

Great place to take the dog! Being a toy and some energy! Lots of friendly people and dogs! Really wonderful place to go out for the day.

Manasquan is one of my favorite beaches. It is extremely clean and the sand is nice, especially compared to a lot of beaches in our area. I love that they have a doggy beach as well, and my little pup is also very appreciative of that! He had a blast today. Even the dog beach is super clean. Another bonus: Free Parking. There is plenty of free street parking, and even in the summers I haven’t had too much trouble finding a spot. I grew up in this area, and I have always loved driving over here on the regular and just hanging out at the inlet.

For my money, this is the best beach on the east coast
The locals and (mostly) polite out of towners keep this beach clean and pleasant
Just enough to do and eat but not so much that it draws crowds

I recently went to the inlet side with my dog Sierra and we had a pretty good time. Though it is a leashed-​dog beach (and I did see a park ranger drive up as I was leaving) most of the dogs run around without a leash. This would be fine if I didn’t keep my dog on a leash (she’s part beagle and would chase after any bird in a heartbeat) but it didn’t work very well with other dogs being able to run free and mine on a leash. We had an incident where another dog got away from his/​her owner and tackled my dog so I would suggest this beach for those with larger dogs (30+ lbs) or generally those who can be let off the leash/​properly defend themselves. The beach itself was really clean and the waves are small so the water is good for dogs of all sizes. The people seemed friendly and I would definitely go back again, though not with my current dog.

My husband and I come here with Stella, our maltipoo, to hang on the dog beach and let her romp around with new friends.
The dog beach I don’t think is Manasquan Beach per se, but I didn’t see a Unilocal listing for the actual dog beach.

There is nothing not to love about Manasquan — the beach and the town!

Manasquan’s the best beach on the Jersey Shore. My family has been coming here for generations. Well, since the 80’s, when my grandparents moved down the shore and my grandpa settled on Manasquan «since it had the best looking girls.»
Manasquan is great for me mostly due to nostalgia, but also because it’s got a lot going for it. You can find free street parking within a 20 min. walk. It’s less of a kiddie shitshow than Pt. Pleasant. It’s less guido juice-​headed out than Belmar. Fewer ciggie butts on the beach. More under the radar. I can take the train there from NYC (although it’s a seriously long train ride).
How many more months til summa?

I have been coming to Manasquan since I was a little girl, some of my favorite memories are on the beach at Manasquan; getting fries & a cold drink at Carlson’s Corner, standing and watching the inlet as the boats come in and go out, I love this place, it’s better off-​season when it’s not crowded… but it’s still a great place to go to swim and hang out in the summer sun!

I hate new yorkers polluting the jersey shore. I’m glad they aren’t anywhere to be found near my beach house, which is in Manasquan. This is the best beach down here.
Why?
— best waves for surfing, by the inlet
— best looking life guards, bar none
— clean beaches… no cigarette butts everywhere like on other jerz beaches
— mostly… ok, all good looking white people (and a copper-​toned dude) on the beach
— no real boardwalk for white trash/​minority kids to loiter on
— Gigi’s sloppy ass pizza
— Leggetts Sand Bar across the street for an afternoon buzz (nuff said)
— ONeils Beach House up the road to dance at
Stick to sleaside heights and belmar, you dirty new yorkers.

I have been coming to Manasquan every summer since I was in the womb! I love this place! The beaches are clean, the water is beautiful. There’s an arcade and food (Gigi’s) that I remember always walking down to when I was a kid. I plan on bringing my family here when I get older and carrying out the tradition! When it comes to the Jersey Shore, Manasquan is the beach you want to be at.

This is more a review for the inlet side of the beach rather than the ocean side of Manasquan because it’s where I take the pooch when the weather becomes so intolerably hot in Philly. We can come here and both catch a break from the concrete heat, him playing with other dogs in the inlet, myself just breathing in the fresh salt air.
Harvey was first brought here last summer, it was my first time letting him off the lead as he’s a beagle (a natural nose follower), a mischief maker, and in general was not sure how he’d take to the water. Turns out he didn’t run away, the other dog parents promised to help keep an eye on him, and he got a bit of doggie paddling in before deciding that swimming just isn’t his thing. Instead he ran up and down the beach chasing tennis balls and frisbees with the other dogs and when it came time to leave at the end of the day he was passed out, motionless the entire way home.
The inlet doesn’t have the surf of the ocean so it’s good for large and small dogs alike, you may catch small waves from incoming and outgoing boats, but otherwise the water is calm and refreshing on a hot summer day. Other poochie parents are incredibly friendly, most bring treats to share with other dogs, some are chatty, and all help keep an eye out for each others dogs whether a little tiff breaks out or a dog uses the bathroom and needs a clean up. Definitely a great place to bring the dog to beat the heat and within an hour and a half’s drive of both NYC and Philadelphia.

Had a great time with our two dogs on the inlet side Doggie Beach. It’s about an hour and 20 minutes from Manhattan and parking ($ 11 weekend /​$ 6 weekday) is right there. There is plenty of room to set up camp in the sand and let the dogs off lead. The water level on the inlet side is calm and shallow for the first 20 – 30 feet (i.e. perfect for dogs). Must have been 50 dogs all along the beach while we were there and the vibe was really friendly. Like minded owners talked, greeted other dogs and watched their own frolic up and down the beach.
Is it the most picturesque beach — no — it’s on the inlet side with limited view of the ocean. But, it feels very much like a beach and, most importantly, is kept very clean. Everyone was mindful of their dog’s behavior. In the two hours we spent I witnessed no incidents of aggression other than one dog who was a «sneaky pee’r» and lifted leg on a few people’s bags and such.
This is the only dog beach that I could find within reasonable driving distance from the city. A great find. Dogs came home exhausted and happy.

Every year I read the best beaches in NJ and never see Manasquan on the list. And I’m glad for that. I love walking among the small beach houses up to the beach. I love how the crowd is not overly douchy like most of the Jersey Shore. I love how the town has an active surfing community. I love Fisherman’s Cove as a dog owner. A whole beach filled with dogs running around and playing and its a free beach.
Is the parking a pain during the weekends? Yes but I don’t have to deal with it unless I have a lot of visitors who have an issue with parking. While I said its not overly douchy, its still the Jersey Shore and the obnoxious stereotypes do make an appearance at the beach, Leggetts, Osprey, and whatever O’Neills is supposed to be called now. But go over to Pt. Pleasant or Belmar than come back to Manasquan. Its advantage Manasquan.
So why am I glad its not listed as a best beach? Because to be on the same list as Sleazeside or Wildwild would be an insult. Because unlike those Manasquan doesn’t scream for attention. Its just a nice beach to relax, surf, and all the other great stuff and thats all I want.

We call it the Riviera of the Jersey Shore — bright blue skies, clean sandy beaches and the cold salt sea beckoning. Though a daily beach badge seems spendy at $ 8, it ensures the sand you are lying upon is free of trash and no homeless are encamped for the duration, like Venice Beach in California.
Since Manasquan is not an island, it is home to a well-​established year-​round community of affluent white people. Manasquan High School has a surf team to go with their football squad; you’ll see teenager players of all types shredding it up at the Inlet on their pointy shortboards. If you’re serious about surfing, you can brave the sneer-​y locals to hit up that Inlet surfing beach (go as early in the morning as possible to get clean glass and the fewest kooks) and enjoy the classic right.
Food selections are limited — best bets are the Main St. Trattoria for Italian, Stubby’s Char Pit for ribs, Leggetts for beer and pizza and Sweet Tease for coffee and desserts. Avoid the Acme at all costs.
In summation, Manasquan is a pretty little beach town that is basically undiscovered by the unwashed masses. No boardwalk and only two adjacent bars on First Ave. make it relatively quiet and serene.

Manasquan is a true blue Jersey shore town. It is not a board walk town or an old shore town being reinvented, it has remained true to its roots for quite some time.
It is mostly a residential community but it does have a few small B and B’s and Inns. It has old Jersey shore type fish shacks and restaurants.
Manasquan inlet is the Northern border of the inland portion of the intracoastal water way.
Manasquan is mostly known for it’s surfing. We have been to Manasquan during hurricanes and winter storms just to watch the waves and we were not alone. It seems like a popular past time in Manasquan.
I surf a little bit and have even surfed in Oahu, Hi but I would not surf here. This is for experienced brave surfers only.
It is pretty funny to watch people in New York try to surf they just float side ways because of the way the beaches in LI sit. Here in Manasquan this is the real deal! If you have only surfed in New York do not try to surf here.
We have never stayed in Manasquan but walk or drive from near by beaches to watch the waves. If you look at surf blogs and videos on youtube there are so many in Manasquan. This is a true surf community.
The town is racially mixed and very diverse. Season beach badges are $ 70.00 and daily badges are $ 8.00