{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3041,"slug":"ship-bottom-beach-ship-bottom","name":"Ship Bottom Beach","country":"USA","state":"New Jersey","city":"Ship Bottom","coords":{"lat":39.6424,"lng":-74.1903},"beachType":null,"tags":["family"],"article":{"hero":"Ship Bottom occupies a quiet stretch of Long Beach Island's eighteen-mile spine, where the barrier island narrows to less than a quarter-mile between bay and ocean. You park along residential streets lined with shake-shingled rentals and walk two blocks past low-slung homes to reach the beach entrances, each marked by weathered wooden signs. The sand here is pale tan and fine-grained, stretching wide enough at low tide that you can claim a spot well away from the waterline and still watch the sanderlings sprint after receding foam.\n\nLifeguards patrol designated swim zones from June through Labor Day, their white stands visible from a half-mile in either direction. The waves break with enough consistency to draw boogie boarders and families teaching children to time the jump, but without the crush of surf schools that pack beaches farther north. Between the guarded sections, you'll see anglers casting into the trough and beachcombers working the wrack line for whelk shells and smooth green sea glass.\n\nThe town itself feels residential rather than resort-driven—no boardwalk, no arcade din, just a scattering of sandwich shops and a hardware store along Long Beach Boulevard. You bring your own umbrella, your own cooler, your own sense of pace. By late afternoon, when the westerly wind kicks up and the shadows stretch long across the sand, the beach empties to just the committed sunbathers and the locals walking their dogs beyond the ropes.","teaser":"You'll find Ship Bottom Beach wedged into Long Beach Island's narrow waist, where the sand runs wide and the boardwalk frenzy of neighboring towns gives way to dune grass and unobstructed horizon. The waves roll in with enough punch to body surf, the lifeguard stands stand sentinel, and parking is blessedly straightforward.","uniqueAngle":"Ship Bottom delivers unselfconscious beach-town life on Long Beach Island without the boardwalk theatrics or shoulder-to-shoulder summer crowds.","accessType":"Drive-up / street parking","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Lifeguarded Ocean Swimming","subtitle":"Guarded zones June through September"},{"icon":"surf","title":"Boogie Boarding","subtitle":"Consistent shorebreak for body surfing"},{"icon":"food","title":"Grab Lunch","subtitle":"Boulevard delis and breakfast counters"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Wide-Tide Sunbathing","subtitle":"Claim space on expansive sand"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Ship Bottom's beachbreak produces short, punchy closeouts best suited to body boarding and spongers rather than longboard cruising. Sandbars shift with nor'easters, so scout the break from the dune line before paddling out. Summer swells from the southeast bring waist-high rollers; fall hurricanes occasionally push overhead sets. The crowd stays mellow—mostly boogie boarders and kids on soft-tops. Wax tropical in July, cool in October. Respect the swim zones; lifeguards will whistle you out if you're inside the flags.","couples":"Stake out a spot near the 20th Street beach entrance in late afternoon, when the sun angles low over the bay side of the island and the beachgoers thin. You won't find oceanfront fine dining here, but the Chicken or the Egg a few miles north in Beach Haven serves decent fried flounder and cold lagers on a bay-view deck. For lodging, rent one of the second-row bungalows with outdoor showers and screened porches—nothing fancy, just functional beach-house charm. Walk barefoot to the sand at dawn before the lifeguard trucks roll out.","backpacker":"Free beach access at every numbered street from 6th to 30th; no badges required. Park along residential side streets to dodge metered lots. The Acme supermarket on the boulevard stocks sandwich fixings under eight dollars. For cheap sleep, try the mainland motels in Manahawkin, then drive the causeway over each morning—fifteen minutes, zero tolls. Bring your own umbrella and cooler; rentals will drain your budget. The beach showers are cold-water only but functional. Wednesday farm stand near 18th Street sells Jersey tomatoes and peaches by the pound.","local":"Hit the beach before eight on summer mornings, when the sand is still cool and the only tracks are from overnight ghost crabs. The stretch between 10th and 12th Streets stays quieter than the main drags—fewer families, more fishing rods. September and October bring the best conditions: warm water, offshore winds, and parking spots you don't have to circle for. After a nor'easter, check the wrack line at dawn for sea beans and intact razor clam shells. The inlet jetty at the island's north end fishes well on the incoming tide.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Ship Bottom Beach is generally safe for swimming and very family-friendly, with lifeguards on duty daily during summer months (typically late June through early September, 10am-5pm). The beach features gentle waves suitable for children and clearly marked swimming areas. Always swim near lifeguard stands and check daily beach conditions, as currents and rip tides can occasionally occur. The wide, clean beach provides ample space for families, and the waters are typically calmer than nearby beaches due to the protective barrier island location.","q":"Is Ship Bottom Beach safe for swimming and families?"},{"a":"Summer (June-August) offers warm weather, full amenities, and lifeguards, but brings peak crowds and higher accommodation costs. Late May and September provide pleasant beach weather (65-75°F), fewer visitors, and lower prices, though water temperatures are cooler. The beach is accessible year-round for walking, fishing, and quiet relaxation. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends throughout the season. For ideal conditions with moderate crowds, visit mid-June or early September when weather remains warm but tourist numbers decrease significantly.","q":"When is the best time to visit Ship Bottom Beach?"},{"a":"Ship Bottom offers metered street parking along Long Beach Boulevard and side streets leading to beach access points. Parking meters operate seasonally (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day) and accept coins and credit cards. Free parking is available off-season. Several public parking lots are scattered throughout the borough. Arrive early during summer weekends as spots fill quickly by mid-morning. Beach badges are required in season. Consider staying within walking distance to avoid parking challenges during peak times.","q":"Where can I park at Ship Bottom Beach?"},{"a":"Ship Bottom features numerous dining options along Long Beach Boulevard, including seafood restaurants, casual cafes, pizzerias, and ice cream shops within walking distance of beach access points. Popular choices include The Chicken or the Egg and various BYOB establishments. Accommodations range from family motels and apartment rentals to vacation homes, most located oceanside or bayside. Grocery stores and convenience shops are available for self-catering. The borough's compact size means most amenities are easily accessible on foot or by bike from beach areas.","q":"What restaurants and accommodations are near Ship Bottom Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, beach badges are required at Ship Bottom Beach from mid-June through early September for visitors ages 12 and older. Daily, weekly, and seasonal badges are available for purchase at the beach patrol headquarters on 20th Street, various local businesses, or from beach inspectors patrolling the sand. Children 11 and under enter free. Prices vary by duration of stay. Off-season access (September through May) is free. Keep your badge visible while on the beach, as inspectors regularly check compliance.","q":"Do I need a beach badge for Ship Bottom Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Ship Bottom Beach: Sugar-Sand Shores in Long Beach Island, NJ","description":"Gentle waves lap against powdery shores where families claim their patch of Jersey coastline. Ship Bottom delivers classic boardwalk memories and uncrowded stretches worth the Garden State Parkway drive.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51241374185_5c2a2425f9_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"528937","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51241374185_5c2a2425f9_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51241374185_5c2a2425f9.jpg","alt":"Break of Day at Dana Point Marina, CA 2016"},{"id":"528939","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5071/8412268816_2640d2fb5a_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/5071/8412268816_2640d2fb5a.jpg","alt":"Dawn Of Fury"},{"id":"528940","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3707/9765622176_a046cd8962_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3707/9765622176_a046cd8962.jpg","alt":"Long Beach Island"},{"id":"528941","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1538/24852242283_7202f91ec3_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1538/24852242283_7202f91ec3.jpg","alt":"U.S. Navy, WWII, Landing Craft Support, LCS(L)(3)-43"},{"id":"528942","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4113/5191035921_9978d732b9_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4113/5191035921_9978d732b9.jpg","alt":"2010 09 04 - 2424 - Ship Bottom - Ron Jon Surf Shop"},{"id":"528943","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8013/7541013664_84891bc30e_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8013/7541013664_84891bc30e.jpg","alt":"2012 07 01 - 4669 - Ship Bottom - Sunset"},{"id":"528944","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4024/4302014595_44394e445c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4024/4302014595_44394e445c.jpg","alt":"AN/WLD-1(V) Minehunting systems (two)"},{"id":"528945","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4147/5191034525_7a3af41d0a_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4147/5191034525_7a3af41d0a.jpg","alt":"2010 09 04 - 2419-2421 - Ship Bottom - Ron Jon Surf Shop"},{"id":"528946","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4087/5191034983_284288038e_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4087/5191034983_284288038e.jpg","alt":"2010 09 04 - 2421 - Ship Bottom - Ron Jon Surf Shop"},{"id":"528947","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53431500075_4ef8591cb2_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53431500075_4ef8591cb2.jpg","alt":"Pasqua_20194778"},{"id":"528948","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54464312378_4ec030c157_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54464312378_4ec030c157.jpg","alt":"Three In A Row, Port of Los Angeles"}]}}