Wildwood has been named the best beach in New Jersey for the second year in a row, according to USA Today’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Voters selected the five-mile stretch from North Wildwood to Wildwood Crest as the top destination for its wide shoreline, clean sand and free access. The beach spans up to 500 yards in width at points, offering more room than most along the Jersey Shore.
Beachgoers do not need tags or passes to enter, making Wildwood one of the few towns in New Jersey with free beach access. A beach taxi service brings visitors from the boardwalk to the ocean, making it easier to carry chairs, umbrellas and coolers across the deep sand.
Families, day-trippers and longtime visitors come for more than the sun. Surfing, boogie boarding, paddleboarding and beach volleyball keep the sand active throughout the day. Lifeguards patrol the shore as swimmers move in and out of the waves.
The nearby boardwalk adds to the draw. Stretching nearly two miles, it features arcades, amusement rides, souvenir shops and food stands. Retro architecture and neon signs give the area a vintage feel, with crowds moving steadily from morning to night.
USA Today also ranked the Wildwood Boardwalk the best in the country earlier this year, beating out locations in California and Virginia. The recognition has boosted tourism and reinforced the area’s national appeal.
With back-to-back honors and no fees to enjoy the beach, Wildwood continues to stand out among coastal towns. Visitors come for the sand and stay for the boardwalk, creating a full summer experience without the added cost.
As the season begins, Wildwood prepares for another busy summer under the sun.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.