Things to do / Travel Guide
The Jersey Shore is a place where you can paddle the hairpin turns of freshwater rivers and creeks and then spill out into the vast, glorious Atlantic Ocean. Where else but the Jersey Shore can you kayak through pine barrens, cedar and cranberry bogs, wetlands, wildlife preserves, saltwater marshes, estuaries, canals, creeks, ocean coves, and bay harbors while watching for whales, dolphins, and nearly 200 species of migratory birds? Simply put: paddling in this region's waters is a sheer delight. Canoes and kayaks can be rented throughout the Jersey Shore.
Sea Kayaking along the Jersey Shore
With nearly 130 miles of coastline, the Jersey Shore's saltwater kayaking scene is superb. But don't get bogged down with the number of choices - get your feet wet in one of these recommended areas:
- The navigating challenges provided by Sandy Hook's coves, islands, and estuaries are popular, and near the Sandy Hook National Recreation Area you'll get a waterfront view of old military station ruins. Kayaks can be rented in the town of Rumson at the Oceanic Marina.
- Canoe or kayak the eight-mile Navesink River - You can rent a kayak or canoe in Redbank and paddle out toward the sea, stopping at the town of Rumson or continuing on to Navesink Beach.
- Kayak amidst woods and wetlands at the 1,200-acre Manasquan Reservoir in Howell. A wonderful freshwater, inland lake experience, be sure to bring along your binoculars to look for osprey, great blue heron, and bald eagles along the shoreline. Kayak and canoe rentals are available.
- Paddle about 10 miles from Cedar Creek to Barnegat Bay and, if you feel like it, continue on a few miles toward Island Beach State Park. Trace the Sedge Islands, and view abundant, pristine wildlife including osprey and egrets. Kayak rentals are available at Cedar Creek Campground and in the towns of Bayville, Toms River, and Barnegat.
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The islets, inlets, beaches, and canals along the bayside shores of Long Beach Island, particularly during spring and fall, provide a great full-day or afternoon excursion. Among the sights you may see are brown pelicans, a wide variety of shore birds, crabbing and fishing boats, and the majestic Barnegat Lighthouse. Kayak rentals are available in the towns of Ship Bottom and Beach Haven.
Surrounded by water and wildlife, Cape May Harbor has become a primary paddling destination. Kayakers regularly see bald eagles, dolphins, pilot whales, and harbor seals in this harbor. Behind Wildwood, Stone Harbor, and Avalon kayakers can explore narrow tidal creeks and shallow bays and see egrets, rails, ospreys, and shorebirds. The Cape May salt marshes can also be explored by kayak for wildlife watching. You'll most probably see loons, osprey, red-tailed hawk, and herons, among countless other birds. Kayak rentals are available in Cape May, West Cape May, Wildwood, and Stone Harbor.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
You want to see some wildlife while kayaking in the Jersey Shore? Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place for a (tame) paddle on the wild side. Explore the waters of Little Egg Harbor, Great Bay, and Nacote Creek. You'll paddle through a seemingly endless circuit of winding waterways including tidal salt marsh, creeks, shallow coves, as well as the open water of Barnegat Bay for views of sea turtles and nearly 200 species of migratory birds. The refuge can easily be explored in three hours or less. Kayak rentals are available in the towns of Barnegat and Tuckerton.
Great Bay Boulevard Wildlife Management Area (GBBWMA)
For another great Jersey Shore wilderness excursion, the estuary between Little Egg Harbor, Great Bay, and Pine Barrens provides wonderful paddles along Tuckerton Creek as well as throughout the GBBWMA's pristine wetlands that teem with exotic birds and wildlife. Kayak rentals are available in the towns of Tuckerton, Ocean City, and Barnegat.
Pine Barrens
If you pine for crisp, river waters, head for Pine Barrens. Pinelands National Reserve is a 1.1-million-acre wilderness area consisting of pine, oak, and cedar forests, cranberry bogs, and coastal streams. The Mullica River, Oswego River, Wading River, and Batsto River run through Pine Barrens and Wharton State Forest, and are all navigable and scenic, making for enjoyable paddling excursions. For a pleasant paddle on the Mullica River, launch your canoe or kayak at Lower Bank Bridge and paddle seven miles to the fork at Sweetwater Casino where the Batsto River flows into the Mullica. Kayak rentals are available in the towns of Chatsworth, Vincentown, and Egg Harbor.
Another favorite on the twisty Mullica River is an excursion between old Mullica Camp and Pleasant Mills. You'll find yourself amidst savanna marshes, high, sandy banks, white lilies, and a wide variety of deciduous trees. While Wading River is one of the more popular rivers in Pine Barrens (and is thus often crowded), Oswego River is considered one of the prettiest. Travel from Oswego Lake to Harrisville (best when the water is low) and enjoy the sights and scents of native cedar bog. Kayak rentals are available in the towns of Chatsworth, Vincentown, and Egg Harbor.
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