Surf: General: One of the best places to escape the madness of summer, Island Beach is one of the few areas in New Jersey where you can drive on the beach. It offers multiple sandbars and can be super fun at the beginning of a groundswell. Watch the winds, because there's nothing to block them. The area offers some of the state's best fishing, so bring a pole and catch lunch. Tides: Low-mid generally best Size: Waist high-well overhead Wind: W to WNW Swell: SE, ESE, E, ENE Bottom: Sand Paddling: Depends on the sandbar and swell but usually not too bad. Spot Rating: Depends on the sandbar but definitely can get fun. Access: Easy with an entry fee, four-wheel drives allowed on the beach. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Negligible, lots of fisherfolk. Local Vibe: Chill for most areas on most swells. Environment: Pretty clean overall. Hazards: Rangers, wildlife (more wild than most of NJ). Season: September through March