Great Bay in New Jersey

Trip Overview

Discovered Great Bay Blvd. and its launch points by mistake, took the family out for a daytrip and loved it. Great Bay Blvd. runs from Rt 9 Tuckerton on out to the ocean across the Great Bay. There are several launch spots along the boulevard, plenty of parking and easy access to the tidal waters. The bay is semi sheltered, and the water though tidal is a mix of cedar water from the pine barrens and shallow so it is nice and warm.

There are many islands around the area to explore; an old fish factory abandoned and collapsing on its own island signed as entry prohibited. There are buoyed channels for power craft, but we all know how that works, but many areas are too shallow for even jet ski's, leaving plenty of areas quiet. We have only launched from the area just before the first bridge on the left, on the other side is First Bridge Marina, which rents kayaks and gives lessons and does quite a business it seems.

Accommodations:

Several places to eat and drink along Rt 9 thru Tuckerton, Tuckerton seaport is a new attraction highlighting area maritime history with a goal of becoming a 'mystic seaport' type center with heavy leaning toward environmental issues and local bay history.

Fees:

No fees, no permits. (not yet, anyway)

Directions:

Route 9 intersects the end of Great Bay Blvd. just south of the Tuckerton Seaport, drive out the Blvd. about Three miles and park near any of several areas.