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Ocean County’s barrier island beaches are at their quietest from November to March, and winter is a great time for a long walk, a boardwalk stroll or a day of birding. Here are the best Ocean County beaches and boardwalks to visit in the off-season, plus what is open when the summer crowds are gone.
Island Beach State Park
- Town: Berkeley Township, south of Seaside Park
- Where: Southern end of Central Avenue (Route 35), past Seaside Park
- Off-season hours: Open every day, 8 a.m. to sunset, from Labor Day to Memorial Day
Island Beach is one of the last undeveloped barrier beaches on the Jersey Shore, with 10 miles of white sand beach and eight short trails, each under a mile. It sits on the Atlantic Flyway, so winter birding is excellent.
Leashed dogs (6 feet or shorter) are welcome in more of the park in winter, since seasonal restrictions in the Northern Natural Area run April 1 to September 15. Surf fishing is allowed year-round, and horseback riding is permitted October through April on the southern 6 miles of beach with a reservation.
Friends of Island Beach State Park
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
- Town: Seaside Heights
- Where: The boardwalk, including Casino Pier at 800 Ocean Terrace
- Winter highlights: Tree lighting and fireworks Saturday, December 5, 2026; Santa’s Workshop at Casino Pier Arcade Saturday, December 19, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The boardwalk is a classic winter walk, with wide-open ocean views and far fewer people than July. December brings two big reasons to visit.
Santa’s Workshop at the Casino Pier Arcade includes Christmas crafts, treats, photos and face painting. Registration is required for the craft projects.
Santa’s Workshop at Casino Pier
Point Pleasant Beach and Jenkinson’s Aquarium
- Town: Point Pleasant Beach
- Where: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue
- Aquarium hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Pair a walk on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk with a warm-up inside Jenkinson’s Aquarium, which stays open daily in the off-season. Seal feedings are at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and penguin feedings are at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The aquarium’s newly renovated top floor features Wally the sloth and rainforest animals. Note that the aquarium’s wheelchair lift is being replaced and is expected back in service around November 30.
Barnegat Light and Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
- Town: Barnegat Light
- Where: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, 208 Broadway, at the northern tip of Long Beach Island
The northern end of Long Beach Island is a favorite winter destination for birders and photographers, with views across Barnegat Inlet toward Island Beach. Ocean County Parks even schedules an early winter birding trip here each December.
Old Barney, the lighthouse, reopened in 2023 after a $1.3 million restoration. Check the state park page for current climbing hours, which change by season.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Lavallette
- Town: Lavallette
- Where: Oceanfront boardwalk and the Grand Central Avenue business district
- Winter highlight: Hometown Christmas Weekend, December 4 and 5, 2026
Lavallette’s small-town boardwalk makes for an easy, quiet ocean walk. Follow it with a stop at local businesses on Grand Central Avenue, where the borough holds its Hometown Christmas Weekend and tree lighting in early December.
Lavallette Hometown Christmas Weekend
Beach Haven
- Town: Beach Haven
- Where: The southern end of Long Beach Island, around Engleside Avenue
Beach Haven stays lively into the holidays. Walk the beach, then catch Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn at Surflight Theatre (201 Engleside Avenue), which runs November 28 to December 20, 2026.
The Long Beach Island Historical Association Museum at 129 Engleside Avenue hosts its “Shore to Be Merry” holiday celebration on Saturday, November 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Winter Beach Tips
- Dress in layers. It is usually colder and windier on the beach than inland.
- Lifeguards are off duty in winter, so stay out of the water.
- Check local rules on dogs before you go, since they vary by town.
More in Ocean County: parks and nature trails, history day trips and holiday events are all worth a winter visit.
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