Cape May County Has Seven of State’s Top 10 Beaches

SANDY HOOK –– Seven beaches in Cape May County made the state’s first annual top ten list with the wide sandy expanses in Wildwood finishing first.
In early February, the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium (NJMSC), New Jersey Sea Grant and the Richard Stockton College Coastal Research Center in conjunction with the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism launched the New Jersey’s Top Ten Beaches Survey at njtoptenbeaches.org. Three months and nearly 15,000 votes later, Wildwood Beach in Cape May County was chosen as New Jersey’s best.
The official list and rankings were revealed at NJMSC’s Sixth Annual State of the Shore Media Event on May 22nd, 2008 at The Seagull’s Nest on Sandy Hook. Wildwood earned top honor with approximately 14 percent of the popular vote. Over 60 beaches from Monmouth to Cape May Counties were in contention for the top distinction.
Here is the top ten list:
1. Wildwood
2. Wildwood Crest
3. Ocean City
4. North Wildwood
5. Cape May
6. Asbury Park
7. Avalon
8. Point Pleasant Beach
9. Beach Haven
10. Stone Harbor
Wildwood also took home top honors in two special categories, being hailed as the state’s Best Beach for Tourism and for Events. Wildwood Crest won for Best Family Vacation Beach and Island Beach State Park for Ecotourism.
Beaches winning in each of the special categories as well as the top beach overall received a special sign denoting the honor. NJMSC anticipates conducting the Top Ten Beaches Survey annually.
The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium is an affiliation of colleges, universities and public sector groups dedicated to advancing greater knowledge of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment. NJMSC meets its mission through innovative research, education and outreach designed to address coastal sustainability and ecosystem health, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine technology, science-based management and science literacy. For more information about NJMSC and its activities, visit www.njmsc.org.