Address: Ocean Ave (First Ave), Manasquan, NJ 08736

One of the hidden gems of the Jersey Shore is Sea Watch Beach in Manasquan, an all time favorite beach destination for my family.  It has survived Sandy and continuous improvements are being made to get it ready for the summer.  The best part is the valet parking.  You are able to pull your car right up to the beach.  Unload the chairs, cooler, sand toys, umbrella, and the kids right at the top of the beach!  They take care of parking your car.  When you return after a day of fun in the sun they bring your car back ready for you to load up.  There is also a convenient hose right there to clean off any of that pesky sand so your car isn’t covered in it. 

The beach is wonderful!  Beach amenities include benches, bathrooms with showers, lockers, bike racks, sheds and lifeguard stands. Beach goers will also have new food amenities to indulge in this summer.  Surf and Turf, a self-contained mobile concession stand, is set to operate along the beach now thru to one week after Labor Day. Their menu items include summer staples such as hamburgers and hotdogs as well as classic novelty foods such as lobster rolls.  So no need to bring food! It's so convenient. 

Sea Watch Beach will also be home to a new playground thanks to the joint efforts of the non-profit organization SquanStrong and NJFMBA's Sandy Ground, "Where Angels Play" playground project.  The Sandy Ground project is in the process of building 26 playgrounds along the East Coast in honor of the 26 children killed in the Newtown tragedy.  The playground set to be built in Manasquan will be nautically themed in honor of Olivia Engle and should be finished by July 17.

By Sarah Graves, NJ Kids Staff