Water quality data for 268 monitoring stations from the 2021–2025 dataset. Research the history of your beach; check official current advisories before swimming.
Before you swim: ratings on this page are based on historical NJDEP Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program data (2021–2025 sampling seasons), not live conditions. Always check current advisories and closures on the state's official NJBeaches.org monitoring site before swimming.
Check current official NJ beach advisories before using historical ratings to research your visit.
Official NJDEP data. Water quality measurements from the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP), which tests Enterococcus bacteria levels weekly during beach season. Our database includes 5 years of historical data (2021-2025) across 268 stations.
Before you swim: ratings on this page are based on historical NJDEP Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program data (2021–2025 sampling seasons), not live conditions. Always check current advisories and closures on the state's official NJBeaches.org monitoring site before swimming.
Maintained by the NJ Shore Guide editorial team under our editorial policy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) monitors water quality at public beaches through the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP). Testing focuses on Enterococcus bacteria, an indicator of water contamination that can affect swimmers.
Consistently clean water with no recent advisories
Clean water with minimal concerns
Generally safe, exercise caution after rainfall
Check current conditions before swimming
Note: Most rainfall-related closures are precautionary measures, not reactions to detected problems. New Jersey beaches are generally safe and well-monitored.
Explore water quality at all 268 monitoring stations. Click on any marker to view details. Colors indicate water quality rating.
Filter by rating, county, or search by beach name
Avalon Borough
Ocean City
Upper Township
Sea Isle City
Avalon Borough
Stone Harbor Borough
Cape May City
Cape May City
These are the individual monitoring stations with the lowest bacteria counts. For the same data organized by beach and region — with the five-year context behind each rating — see our guide to the cleanest beaches at the Jersey Shore.
Research your destination and check today’s official advisory before choosing a beach. For an overnight trip, compare complete hotel quotes for your actual dates.
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Use current official advisories for swimming decisions, then plan the rest of your visit around your dates.
63 monitoring stations
66 monitoring stations
50 monitoring stations
88 monitoring stations
These stations have fair or poor ratings. Check current conditions before swimming.
No. These ratings summarize historical bacteria data and do not report current conditions. Check official current advisories, the local beach forecast, and lifeguard instructions before entering the water.
They compare the recorded multi-year bacteria measurements in this dataset. They are useful for researching a location over time, but a favorable historical rating does not rule out a new advisory, closure, or other swimming hazard.
Use the official New Jersey beach monitoring website and the municipality or beach operator. Confirm that the advisory date and exact beach location match your visit; a historical station page is not a live clearance.
Follow the official advisory and beach operator instructions. Do not use a webcam, tide time, historical rating, or assumed reopening interval to override a posted restriction.
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Data provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP). The CCMP assesses water quality at public coastal recreational bathing beaches and provides public notification. Learn more about the program →