Barnegat Peninsula facts for kids

The Barnegat Peninsula, also called the Island Beach Peninsula, is a long, narrow strip of land in Ocean County, New Jersey. It's about 20 miles long and acts like a natural wall. This land separates the calm Barnegat Bay from the big Atlantic Ocean.

Many people visit the Barnegat Peninsula for vacations. It's a popular spot for summer fun, with lots of activities like tourism, buying and selling homes, and fishing. Some well-known towns on the peninsula include Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Mantoloking, Lavallette, Ortley Beach, Seaside Heights, and Seaside Park. The southern 10 miles of the peninsula are a protected natural area called Island Beach State Park. This is New Jersey's longest undeveloped coastline.

Where is the Barnegat Peninsula?

The Barnegat Peninsula is located in Ocean County, New Jersey. It stretches for about 20 miles. In the north, it starts near Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach. To the south, it ends at Island Beach State Park.

This peninsula is separated from Long Beach Island by a tricky waterway called Barnegat Inlet. In 1609, explorer Henry Hudson described the area as a "great lake of water." The name "Barnegat" comes from the Dutch word "Barendegat," meaning "Inlet of the Breakers." This name was given in 1614 because of the rough waves in the inlet.

Fun Communities on the Peninsula

Many towns are located on the Barnegat Peninsula. Each offers something special for visitors and residents.

Point Pleasant Beach

Point Pleasant Beach is a favorite family vacation spot. It's famous for its lively boardwalk, where you can find fun rides and games. The town also has an aquarium and a busy fishing industry. It's close to the Manasquan River.

Bay Head

Bay Head is known for its peaceful beaches. It's home to the Bay Head Yacht Club. You can also see beautiful old houses built in a special style called Shingle-style. Bay Head was started in 1886 and is recognized as a historic place.

Mantoloking

Mantoloking is a very wealthy community. It has lovely Shingle-style houses that look out over the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. The Mantoloking Yacht Club has even trained sailors who became Olympic champions.

Summer Towns: Lavallette, Ortley Beach, and Seaside Park

Towns like Normandy Beach, Lavallette, Dover Beaches North (including Ocean Beach and Chadwick Beach), Ortley Beach, and Seaside Park are very popular in the summer. They have smaller populations in winter. People love these towns for their affordable homes and easy access to the ocean and bay for water activities.

Seaside Heights

Seaside Heights is a major town in the southern part of the peninsula. It's famous worldwide for its exciting boardwalk and amusement piers. These piers are packed with food stands, shops, games, and thrilling rides. While about 5,000 people live there in winter, the summer population can grow to nearly 40,000! Many visitors come from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Getting Around the Peninsula

The main road connecting these shore towns is Route 35. There are several bridges that connect the peninsula to the mainland. The Mathis and Tunney Bridges link Seaside Heights to Toms River. Other bridges include Route 35 from Point Pleasant Beach to Manasquan, Bridge Avenue between Point Pleasant and Bay Head, and the Mantoloking Bridge connecting Mantoloking with Brick Township.

Since the Point Pleasant Canal was built in 1925, connecting the Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Bay, the peninsula is technically an island. Because of this, it is often called "the barrier island."

Hurricane Sandy's Impact

On October 29, 2012, a very strong storm called Hurricane Sandy hit the area. The storm was so powerful that it created a new opening between Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. This happened in Mantoloking, near the Route 528 bridge. Much of Mantoloking was damaged, and the bridge was affected. However, the bridge and the entire stretch of Route 35 on the peninsula have since been repaired and reopened.