Best Water Quality Beaches

The cleanest beaches at the Jersey Shore, based on 5 years of NJDEP water quality data

268Monitored Beaches

5Data Years

97%Passing Rate

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.

268

Monitored Beaches

221

Excellent Rating

39

Good Rating

97%

Pass Rate

The Cleanest Beaches on the Jersey Shore

New Jersey takes beach water quality seriously. The NJDEP Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program tests water at 268 beaches along the Jersey Shore every week during swim season, measuring Enterococcus bacteria levels to ensure safe swimming conditions.

The beaches on this page have the lowest bacteria levels and fewest advisories over the past 5 years. These are the cleanest beaches on the Jersey Shore, with water quality that consistently exceeds EPA standards.

What Makes a Beach “Excellent”?

• 5-year geometric mean below 35 CFU/100mL (EPA threshold: 104)
• Zero or minimal swim advisories
• No bacterial exceedance closures
• Consistent results across all seasons

Monmouth County

Northern shore beaches with excellent water quality

#1

Popamora Point

Atlantic Highlands

Excellent

5-Year Avg

6 CFU

Advisories

1/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

#2

Public Beach

Excellent

5-Year Avg

6 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

#3

3rd

Excellent

5-Year Avg

6 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

Sylvania

Avon-by-the-Sea

Excellent

5-Year Avg

6 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

L Jetty Washington Ave

Avon-by-the-Sea Borough • 6 CFU avg

East Main

Manasquan Borough • 6 CFU avg

Laird

Long Branch City • 6 CFU avg

Main

Neptune Township • 6 CFU avg

Ocean County

LBI and Barnegat Peninsula beaches

Radio Road

Little Egg Harbor Township

Excellent

5-Year Avg

5 CFU

Advisories

1/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

Parkertown

Little Egg Harbor Township

Good

5-Year Avg

5 CFU

Advisories

2/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

Berkeley Island

Seaside Heights

Excellent

5-Year Avg

6 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

Summit

Island Heights Borough

Excellent

5-Year Avg

8 CFU

Advisories

1/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

Johnson

Bay Head Borough • 10 CFU avg

Lyman

Mantoloking Borough • 10 CFU avg

Princeton

Mantoloking Borough • 10 CFU avg

Brick Beach

Brick Township • 10 CFU avg

Atlantic County

Atlantic City area beaches

10th St North

Excellent

5-Year Avg

5 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

Bramble Drive

Excellent

5-Year Avg

5 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

5th St North

Excellent

5-Year Avg

5 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

7th St South

Excellent

5-Year Avg

5 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

16th St South

Brigantine City • 5 CFU avg

13th Ave

Longport Borough • 5 CFU avg

Sandy Ln

Brigantine City • 5 CFU avg

Bartram

Atlantic City • 5 CFU avg

Cape May County

Southern shore beaches

40th St

Excellent

5-Year Avg

2 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

55th St

Excellent

5-Year Avg

2 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

Williard

Excellent

5-Year Avg

2 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

40th St

Excellent

5-Year Avg

2 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

21st St

Avalon Borough • 2 CFU avg

83rd St

Stone Harbor Borough • 2 CFU avg

Congress

Cape May City • 2 CFU avg

2nd

Cape May City • 2 CFU avg

Water Quality Tips

Check Before You Go

Visit njbeaches.org for real-time water quality data and any active advisories before heading to the beach.

Avoid Swimming After Rain

Wait 24-48 hours after heavy rainfall. Stormwater runoff temporarily increases bacteria levels.

Stick to Ocean Beaches

Ocean beaches generally have better water quality than bay or inlet beaches due to wave action and water circulation.

Look for Blue Wave Certification

Beaches with Blue Wave certification meet high environmental and water quality standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is beach water quality measured in New Jersey?

NJDEP tests beaches weekly during summer for enterococci bacteria, an indicator of fecal contamination. Results are measured in MPN (most probable number) per 100mL of water.

What does the water quality rating mean?

Excellent means consistently low bacteria levels (geomean <35). Good means low levels with occasional spikes. Fair indicates periodic elevated levels. Poor means frequent exceedances.

When are beaches tested for water quality?

Beaches are tested weekly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some high-traffic beaches are tested more frequently, especially after rain events.

What causes poor water quality at beaches?

Stormwater runoff, wildlife, and combined sewer overflows can elevate bacteria levels. Heavy rain often worsens conditions temporarily.

Are beach closures common in New Jersey?

No, closures are rare. Over 97% of samples pass health standards. When closures occur, they're typically brief (1-3 days) and localized.

Is it safe to swim after rain?

Wait 24-48 hours after heavy rain before swimming, especially near inlets or stormwater outfalls. Runoff can temporarily elevate bacteria levels.

Related Guides

Water Quality Hub

Complete water quality data for all 268 beaches

Best Swimming Beaches

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Best Beaches for Families

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All Beaches

Complete guide to Jersey Shore beaches

Explore All Water Quality Data

View detailed 5-year trends, advisory history, and current conditions for all 268 monitored beaches.

Water Quality Hub All Beaches

Data: NJDEP Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (2021-2025). Learn more →