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Island Beach State Park is a great spot if you're looking to escape the summer crowds. It's one of the few places in New Jersey where you can actually drive on the beach, which makes getting there super easy. The park has multiple sandbars, and it can be a lot of fun when a groundswell hits, but you'll want to pay attention to the wind because there’s nothing to block it. Plus, it’s one of the best spots in the state for fishing, so if you’re into that, don’t forget your gear.
The surf here does best at low to mid tide, and wave sizes can range from around waist high (1 meter) to well overhead (2.5 meters). The area handles a variety of swell directions, including ENE, E, ESE, and even some S/SE. You can expect to ride both right and left waves over a sandy bottom. Most of the time, the paddling isn’t too challenging, but it can depend on where the sandbars are. It’s recommended for intermediate to expert surfers, and you'll find that both shortboards and funboards work well here.
Accessing the beach is straightforward with a small entry fee, and four-wheel drives are allowed, which is handy. The crowd factor tends to be low, with just a few fishermen around, giving a chill vibe to the overall scene. The best seasons for surfing here are autumn and winter, making it a solid spot to check out when the conditions align.