New Jersey’s coastline is making waves. Two Cape May County beaches earned national recognition from Islands.com as top white sand destinations outside Florida, and it is easy to see why.
Wildwood Beach
Wildwoods stretches five miles from North Wildwood to Wildwood Crest, with sand up to 500 yards wide in some spots, more room than most Jersey Shore beaches. Visitors walk, build sandcastles, or play volleyball, surf, or paddleboard. Lifeguards keep an eye on swimmers, and a beach taxi shuttles chairs, umbrellas, and coolers from the boardwalk to the shore. The two-mile boardwalk has it all: rides, arcades, food stands, and souvenir shops. Retro architecture and neon signs give the area a vintage feel, and the boardwalk stays busy from morning into the evening.
Ocean City Beach
Ocean City is a beach built for families. Its clean, soft white sand is perfect for sunbathing, building sandcastles, or playing in the waves. The town’s dry policy makes it a kid-friendly environment, and visitors of all ages can enjoy the boardwalk’s mix of attractions. Fudge shops and taffy stands line the walkway, alongside arcades and souvenir stores. Two amusement parks offer rides for all ages, and the area has plenty of casual dining options for lunch or snacks. Families often spend the entire day walking the sand, visiting the boardwalk, and taking part in activities, making it a full-day destination that draws repeat visitors year after year.
Methodology
The ranking comes from a national review of beaches across the U.S., using regional lists, tourism websites, and ocean temperature data to find white sand beaches with warm water and nearby attractions. Personal visits to East Coast beaches helped narrow the list, putting Wildwood and Ocean City on the national map.
For anyone looking for wide, soft sand, clear water, and a full day of beach and boardwalk activities, these two Cape May County spots deliver without a trip down to Florida.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.