Check the Beach
Photo of the Surf City Volunteer Fire & EMS building in Surf City , New Jersey . Also seen in the background is the borough's water tower. Photo taken from County Route 607 (Long Beach Boulevard) lookLong Beach Island, Ocean County

Ocean County beaches

Which Ocean County beach is best right now? 21 beaches ranked by live weather, wind, waves and water temperature.

Updated 4:02 am local timeScores from Open-Meteo forecasts, refreshed hourlyColors follow the lifeguard flags

Top 3 right now

It is dark there now, so these are ranked by their best stretch next.

  1. Bay Beach distance16.7Goodlater

    Windward Beach

    Ocean County

    Dark there now. Best 8 am later
    Air
    10°C50°F
    Water
    16°C61°F
    Wind
    14 km/h9 mph
    Waves
    0.9 m3 ft
    Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 5 pm, 5.0
  2. 2020-10-18 16 47 18 Seaside Goldenrod blooming on the sand dunes near the beach in Barnegat Light, Ocean County, New Jersey26.5Goodlater

    Barnegat Light Bay Beach

    Ocean County

    Dark there now. Best 3 pm later
    Air
    11°C51°F
    Water
    16°C61°F
    Wind
    19 km/h12 mph
    Waves
    1.0 m3 ft
    Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 2 pm, 6.0
  3. Ocean CR 612 wb, Waretown, NJ, Dec. 202436.5Goodlater

    Bay beach

    Ocean County

    Dark there now. Best 3 pm later
    Air
    11°C51°F
    Water
    16°C61°F
    Wind
    19 km/h12 mph
    Waves
    1.0 m3 ft
    Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 2 pm, 6.0

Ocean County today

It is dark across Ocean County right now: 0 of 21 scored beaches look good later, water is 16°C61 to 62°F. Read at 4:02 am; everything below is computed from that reading.

Northern Ocean County

12 of 12 beaches scored, 0 good now

6.0GoodAverage Beach ScoreBest: Windward Beach, 6.7
Water
16°C61°F
Wind
40 km/h25 mph
Waves
1.0 m3 ft
Better right now

Southern Ocean County

9 of 9 beaches scored, 0 good now

6.3GoodAverage Beach ScoreBest: Barnegat Light Bay Beach, 6.5
Water
16°C61°F
Wind
23 km/h14 mph
Waves
1.0 m3 ft

  • Warmest water

    16°C62°F

    Amherst Beach

    Ocean County. Score 6.0 Good.

  • Calmest sea

    0.9 m3 ft waves

    Windward Beach

    Ocean County. Wind 14 km/h9 mph.

  • Best for families

    6.5 Good

    Barnegat Light Bay Beach

    Ocean County. Top score of the 2 scored beaches tagged with lifeguards.

Best hours

The best hour left today is 6 pm (6.5); the weakest is 9 am (5.4).

The strongest stretch runs 12 pm to 7 pm.

7 to 10, green flag4 to 7, yellowUnder 4, redAverage of the scored beaches, each hour

All Ocean County beaches

Every Ocean County beach we track, ranked by its live Beach Score. Hover a row to find it on the map.

21 beaches listed · 21 of 21 scored live

  1. Bay Beach distance

    Windward Beach

    Ocean County

    6.7Goodlater

    Small waves, gentle breeze and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air10°C50°F
    • Wind14 km/h9 mph
    • Waves0.9 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  2. 2020-10-18 16 47 18 Seaside Goldenrod blooming on the sand dunes near the beach in Barnegat Light, Ocean County, New Jersey

    Barnegat Light Bay Beach

    Ocean County

    6.5Goodlater

    Small waves, gentle breeze and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air11°C51°F
    • Wind19 km/h12 mph
    • Waves1.0 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • Lifeguards
  3. Ocean CR 612 wb, Waretown, NJ, Dec. 2024

    Bay beach

    Ocean County

    6.5Goodlater

    Small waves, gentle breeze and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air11°C51°F
    • Wind19 km/h12 mph
    • Waves1.0 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  4. Photo of the Harvey Cedars , New Jersey Borough Hall. Photo taken from County Route 607 (Long Beach Boulevard) looking northwest.

    Harvey Cedars Bay Beach

    Ocean County

    6.5Goodlater

    Small waves, gentle breeze and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air11°C51°F
    • Wind19 km/h12 mph
    • Waves1.0 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • Lifeguards
    • Free parking

  5. Little Beach

    Ocean County

    6.5Goodlater

    Small waves, gentle breeze and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air11°C51°F
    • Wind19 km/h12 mph
    • Waves1.0 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  6. 2007 11 10 - Loveladies - View 2

    Long Beach

    Ocean County

    6.5Goodlater

    Small waves, gentle breeze and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air11°C51°F
    • Wind19 km/h12 mph
    • Waves1.0 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  7. 2020-10-18 16 47 18 Seaside Goldenrod blooming on the sand dunes near the beach in Barnegat Light, Ocean County, New Jersey

    Long Beach

    Ocean County

    6.5Goodlater

    Small waves, gentle breeze and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air11°C51°F
    • Wind19 km/h12 mph
    • Waves1.0 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  8. Barnegat Sunset - panoramio

    Shore Beach

    Ocean County

    6.5Goodlater

    Small waves, gentle breeze and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air11°C51°F
    • Wind19 km/h12 mph
    • Waves1.0 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  9. Ocean CR 630 wb, Wardells Neck, NJ, Dec. 2024

    Nejecho Beach

    Ocean County

    6.5Goodlater

    1.2 m4 ft waves, breezy and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air11°C52°F
    • Wind23 km/h14 mph
    • Waves1.2 m4 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet

  10. Amherst Beach

    Ocean County

    6.0Goodlater

    Small waves, strong wind and 16°C62°F water.

    • Water16°C62°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind43 km/h27 mph
    • Waves0.9 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 2 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  11. Ocean CR 617 sb, Pine Beach, NJ, Dec. 2024

    Beachwood Beach

    Ocean County

    6.0Goodlater

    Small waves, strong wind and 16°C62°F water.

    • Water16°C62°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind43 km/h27 mph
    • Waves0.9 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 2 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  12. View of Island Heights, NJ from Pine Beach, Dec. 2024

    Money Island Beach

    Ocean County

    6.0Goodlater

    Small waves, strong wind and 16°C62°F water.

    • Water16°C62°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind43 km/h27 mph
    • Waves0.9 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 2 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  13. Photo of the Union Church of Seaside Park in Seaside Park , New Jersey . Photo taken from New Jersey Route 35 (Central Avenue) at 4th Avenue looking southeast.

    5th Avenue Park

    Ocean County

    5.9Goodlater

    1.2 m4 ft waves, strong wind and 16°C62°F water.

    • Water16°C62°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind44 km/h27 mph
    • Waves1.2 m4 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking

  14. Barnegat Peninsula

    Ocean County

    5.9Goodlater

    1.2 m4 ft waves, strong wind and 16°C62°F water.

    • Water16°C62°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind44 km/h27 mph
    • Waves1.2 m4 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  15. Brick Beach III, NJ beach house, Dec. 2024

    Chadwick Beach

    Ocean County

    5.9Goodlater

    1.2 m4 ft waves, strong wind and 16°C62°F water.

    • Water16°C62°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind44 km/h27 mph
    • Waves1.2 m4 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  16. Live camEast From Above Rt.37jpg

    Sunset Beach

    Ocean County

    5.9Goodlater

    1.2 m4 ft waves, strong wind and 16°C62°F water.

    • Water16°C62°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind44 km/h27 mph
    • Waves1.2 m4 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  17. Boardwalk from the bathing beach pavillion to the beach at Bathing Beach Number 1 in Island Beach State Park on August 21st 2013

    Bathing Beach Number 1

    Ocean County

    5.9Goodlater

    Small waves, strong wind and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind44 km/h28 mph
    • Waves0.9 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  18. View north up the beach from Bathing Beach Number 2 within Island Beach State Park, in Berkeley Township, Ocean County, New Jersey

    Bathing Beach Number 2

    Ocean County

    5.9Goodlater

    Small waves, strong wind and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind44 km/h28 mph
    • Waves0.9 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  19. 2017-09-04 10 26 44 View north up the beach from Bathing Beach Number 2 within Island Beach State Park, in Berkeley Township, Ocean County, New Jersey

    Island Beach

    Ocean County

    5.9Goodlater

    Small waves, strong wind and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind44 km/h28 mph
    • Waves0.9 m3 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet

  20. Beach Haven West Bay Beach

    Ocean County

    5.8Goodlater

    1.3 m4 ft waves, strong wind and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air15°C58°F
    • Wind32 km/h20 mph
    • Waves1.3 m4 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 5 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  21. Photo of the Surf City Volunteer Fire & EMS building in Surf City , New Jersey . Also seen in the background is the borough's water tower. Photo taken from County Route 607 (Long Beach Boulevard) look

    Long Beach Island

    Ocean County

    5.5Goodlater

    1.3 m4 ft waves, strong wind and 16°C61°F water.

    • Water16°C61°F
    • Air15°C60°F
    • Wind42 km/h26 mph
    • Waves1.3 m4 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 6 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
Map of Ocean County beaches with live score pins

Coastlines: Natural Earth, public domain. Pins are live scores.

7 and up4 to 7Under 4No live score hereHover a beach to find it. Click a group to zoom in.

1 Ocean County beach has a live cam
Sunset Beach. Cams load on click.

See the live cams

Stays near Ocean County’s best beaches today

Compare hotels and apartments near the beaches that score best today.

Partner links
  • 6.7 GoodWindward Beach now

    Stays near Windward Beach

    Compare prices for tonight on our stays partner’s map.

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  • 6.5 GoodBarnegat Light Bay Beach now

    Stays near Barnegat Light Bay Beach

    Compare prices for tonight on our stays partner’s map.

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  • 6.5 GoodBay beach now

    Stays near Bay beach

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Hotel results come from our stays partner. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you, and it never changes the beach score.

Ocean County beach questions

Answered from today’s data. Numbers change as the forecast does.

What is the best beach in Ocean County right now?

Windward Beach has the top Beach Score later: 6.7 Good, with 14 km/h (9 mph) of wind. Scores are ranked from live forecasts, so the order changes through the day.

What is the water temperature in Ocean County today?

Sea water is 16°C (61°F) across the 21 scored beaches. The warmest is Amherst Beach, at 16°C (62°F).

Where is the sea calmest in Ocean County right now?

Windward Beach has the smallest waves, at 0.9 m (3 ft) with 14 km/h (9 mph) of wind.

Which Ocean County beaches have lifeguards?

2 of 21 listed beaches are tagged with lifeguards on OpenStreetMap, including Barnegat Light Bay Beach and Harvey Cedars Bay Beach. Tags can be out of date, so follow the posted flags and staff on the day.

What is the best time to go to the beach in Ocean County today?

Averaged across the scored beaches, the best hour today is 6 pm, at 6.5 Good, and the strongest stretch runs 12 pm to 7 pm. Each beach page has its own hour-by-hour forecast.

Are there live beach cams in Ocean County?

1 listed beach has a live cam. Cams load on click, and each shows the owner's credit.

How many beaches does Check the Beach cover in Ocean County?

All 21 beaches in our data for Ocean County are scored live on this page.

Sources: Open-Meteo weather and marine forecasts; facilities from OpenStreetMap. All sources.

More areas in New Jersey

Same live scores, same flags.

Run a cam on a Ocean County beach? List it free.

Surf shops, hotels and lifeguard clubs: put your cam next to a live Beach Score and send beachgoers your way.

  • Free listing, with a credit and a link to your site on the beach page
  • Works with YouTube streams and most IP cams
  • Cams load on click, so nothing autoplays
List your beach camTakes about 5 minutes.