ANIMALS / WILDLIFE / ECOTOURISM
Barnegat Bay Partnership
bbp.ocean.edu
Barnegat Bay Shellfish
www.barnegatshellfish.org
Birds of Long Beach Island
www.longbeachislandjournal.com/
animals/lbi-bird-checklist
Butterfly Charities, Brick
www.thebutterflycharities.com
Conserve Wildlife Foundation
www.conservewildlifenj.org
Edith Duff Gwinn Gardens,
Barnegat Light
www.thegardencluboflbi.org
Forest Resource Education Center,
Jackson
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests
22 www.sparkexploreocean.com
Insectropolis, Toms River
www.insectropolis.com
Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource
Education, Waretown
www.lighthousecenternj.org/programs
Ocean County Libraries
www.theoceancountylibrary.org
Popcorn Park Zoo, Forked River
www.ahscares.org
Sedge Island Summer Field Experiences,
Seaside Park
www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/sedge
Self-Guided Barnegat Historical Trail
www.barnegathistoricalsociety.com
Six Flags Safari, Jackson
www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Photo by D. Salvatoriello
The sun hasn’t yet broken the horizon, but there’s already a stir on the
beach shortly after 5 a.m. Surfers love to hit the beach at dawn, better
known as the Dawn Patrol. There is something about the peacefulness
and the morning light on the waves.
Surfing is an integral part of the coastal landscape in Ocean County, a
dynamic scene with a rich history and culture. From the rocks adjacent to
the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach to the sandbars of Holgate,
the untouched shores of Island Beach State Park through the entire
stretch of Long Beach Island, the quiet charm of Lavallette to the bustle
of Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, it’s one of the most exciting and varied
coastlines on the entire eastern seaboard.
Though fall and winter bring bigger swells to the New Jersey shore,
summer surfing is a time-honored tradition for families here. It’s the
ideal time to check out one of the area’s great surf schools or camps.
Ocean County’s beach towns are full of friendly surf shops that can help
everyone find the right board and choose the best wetsuit.
Each town has its own surfing regulations and designated surf beaches,
so check ahead. Often the best time to surf is early morning or evening,
after the lifeguards quit for the day. The winds tend to be best around
sunrise and sunset, too. If you’re going to venture out at these times,
however, make sure you’re a proficient swimmer, never go alone, steer
clear of more experienced surfers, and don’t forget to bring extra wax.
SURF’S UP
Photo by Michael S. Miller
Photo courtesy of Ocean County Parks and Recreation
/bbp.ocean.edu
/www.barnegatshellfish.org
/
/www.thebutterflycharities.com
/www.conservewildlifenj.org
/www.thegardencluboflbi.org
/parksandforests
/www.sparkexploreocean.com
/www.insectropolis.com
/programs
/www.theoceancountylibrary.org
/www.ahscares.org
/sedge
/www.barnegathistoricalsociety.com
/greatadventure
