New Jersey beaches often—unfairly—get a bad rap. They shouldn’t. New Jersey is home to dozens of pristine beaches, and two of them just made a national list of the cleanest in America. If you’ve ever spent a summer day at either one, you already know why.
Researchers at Islands.com compiled a list of the most sanitary beaches in the country, drawing from databases of beach cleanliness organizations and state health department data.
Point Pleasant Beach and Stone Harbor Beach were each recognized alongside the likes of Coronado Beach (California), Wailea Beach (Hawaii), and Siesta Key Beach (Florida).
Point Pleasant Beach
Point Pleasant Beach is best known for its boardwalk, including Jenkinson’s Amusement Park, arcade games, mini golf, and a solid lineup of dining options. But the beach itself is worth the same praise. Frequent cleanups keep the sand pristine, and the water quality backs it up. According to Swim Guide, Point Pleasant passed New Jersey’s cleanliness standards at least 95% of the time during the 2025 testing season, with Enterococcus bacteria levels remaining well within the acceptable range.
It’s one of the Shore’s most popular family destinations for day trips to the Shore or extended vacations. Point Pleasant is also accessible by NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line, making it a great option for those in New York City.
Stone Harbor Beach
Stone Harbor is a markedly different kind of Shore experience than Point Pleasant. There is no sprawling boardwalk, and no carnival rides. Instead, it’s 30 miles of clean coastline in Cape May County, placing the focus entirely on the beach itself. Swim Guide gives it the same high marks as Point Pleasant, with water quality passing 95% of the time during the 2025 season.
Beyond the beach, Stone Harbor delivers upscale shopping, spa treatments, a bird sanctuary home to egrets, herons, and ibis, and a quieter pace than the busier Shore towns to its north. It’s an excellent option for weekend trips and extended vacations alike.
Despite what outsiders might think, New Jersey is home to dozens of great beaches—two of which were just recognized as some of the cleanest in the nation. That’s the Jersey Shore at its finest.