Shelter Cove Beach
Toms River, NJ
Shelter Cove sits on the calmer, bay facing side of Toms River Township, a white sand beach on Bay Avenue that draws a different crowd than the ocean side surf at Ortley just across the peninsula. The same beach badge covers both, and this one comes with a playground and volleyball courts that make it an easier sell for families with younger kids.
A genuinely pleasant, dog friendly bay beach with real amenities for families, though the calm water means it's not the pick for anyone actually looking to swim in surf.
How we score beachesThis is genuinely one of the more dog friendly beaches in the area, leashed dogs are welcome, so it's worth the drive if Ortley's seasonal dog ban is the only thing keeping you away.
Free parking serves the park directly at 1390 Bay Avenue.
Accessible facilities and flat paths lead from the lot to the beach and playground area.
Leashed dogs are welcome at Shelter Cove.
Bay water stays calmer and a touch warmer than the ocean side, comfortable for wading through most of the summer. The park opens early, around 8 a.m., and stays open into the evening through the warmer months.
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