Harvey Cedars Beach
Harvey Cedars, NJ
Harvey Cedars sits between Barnegat Light and Surf City on Long Beach Island, a residential town with beach badges required on both its ocean and bay sides. Parking clusters around Sunset Park on West Salem Avenue and near the public works yard at Salem and Passaic, rather than at a single central lot.
Having both a real ocean beach and a calmer bay option in one small town is a genuine advantage, though the scattered parking areas take some local knowledge to navigate well.
How we score beachesTry the bay side beach near Sunset Park for a calmer alternative if the ocean surf isn't what you're after that day. Both sides take the same badge.
Parking clusters near Sunset Park on West Salem Avenue and by the public works yard at Salem and Passaic Avenue, along with most beach access streets.
Flat streets lead to the sand at regular access points, with no boardwalk to cross.
Dogs aren't permitted on the beach during the spring through fall season. Leashed dogs are welcome outside that window.
Water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, typical for LBI. The bay side stays calmer than the ocean beach for anyone wanting a gentler swim.
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