Ship Bottom Beach
Ship Bottom, NJ
Ship Bottom sits at the base of the causeway bringing traffic onto Long Beach Island from the mainland, making it the first beach town most visitors actually reach. Parking on ocean side streets is limited to one hour, while bay side streets allow parking all day, a distinction worth knowing before circling the same blocks twice.
The causeway location makes it convenient, first beach you hit coming onto the island, but that same convenience means it absorbs more through traffic and parking pressure than towns further out.
How we score beachesPark on a bay side street if you're staying more than an hour. The one hour limit on ocean side blocks is enforced, not a suggestion.
Ocean side street parking is limited to one hour. Bay side streets allow all day parking, and additional spots are available between 18th and 22nd Streets.
Flat streets lead to the sand at regular access points, with no boardwalk to cross.
Dogs aren't permitted on the beach from May through September. Leashed dogs are welcome the rest of the year.
Water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, consistent with the rest of LBI. Being the causeway town, traffic and crowds peak hardest on summer weekend mornings as everyone arrives at once.
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