Shore Gear Guide
Everything you need for your Jersey Shore adventure. From beach day essentials to water sports equipment, we've curated the best gear for every activity.
Whether you're hitting the beach for the first time or you're a seasoned shore veteran, having the right gear makes all the difference. We've organized our recommendations by activity to help you find exactly what you need.
Browse by Category
Beach Essentials
Sunscreen, towels, coolers, and day-trip must-haves
Beach Furniture
Chairs, umbrellas, canopies, and beach carts
Surfing
Boards, wetsuits, leashes, and rash guards
Paddleboarding
Inflatable SUPs, paddles, and PFDs
Kayaking
Kayaks, paddles, and dry bags
Fishing
Rods, reels, tackle, waders, and coolers
Crabbing
Traps, nets, lines, and crabbing supplies
Water Safety
Life jackets, first aid kits, and emergency gear
Beach Kids
Sand toys, floaties, and family beach gear
Snorkeling
Masks, fins, and snorkel sets
Photography
Waterproof cases, tripods, and camera gear
Birding
Binoculars, field guides, and spotting gear
Camping
Tents, sleeping bags, and campsite essentials
Golf
Clubs, balls, and golf accessories
💡 Gear Buying Tips
Buy End-of-Season
September sales at surf shops can hit 30-50% off. Boards, wetsuits, and beach gear don't expire.
Try Before You Buy
Most shops rent by the hour or day. See what you like before investing in your own equipment.
Storage Matters
UV degrades boards and neoprene. Store indoors or use board bags for outdoor storage.
Check Reviews
We only recommend products with 4+ star ratings from real buyers. Quality matters for safety gear.
🌡️ Seasonal Gear Guide
NJ water temperatures range from 45°F in winter to 75°F in August. Here's what you need:
☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug)
Water: 65-75°F
- • Boardshorts or bikini
- • Rash guard (optional)
- • Sunscreen & hat
- • 3/2mm wetsuit (early June)
🍂 Fall (Sep-Nov)
Water: 50-65°F
- • 3/2mm wetsuit (September)
- • 4/3mm wetsuit (Oct-Nov)
- • Booties (late season)
- • Best surf season!
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
Water: 38-50°F
- • 5/4mm+ hooded wetsuit
- • 5-7mm booties
- • 3-5mm gloves
- • Wetsuit hood
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Water: 45-60°F
- • 4/3mm wetsuit (March-Apr)
- • 3/2mm wetsuit (May)
- • Booties through April
- • Gloves optional
Beach Day Essentials
The must-haves for any shore trip: sunscreen, coolers, towels, and more.
Beach Chair
Lightweight, foldable, with backpack straps.
Beach Umbrella
UPF 50+ with sand anchor. Some NJ beaches require anchors.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protect yourself and the ocean. No oxybenzone.
Beach Cart / Wagon
Haul all your gear across the sand.
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Beach Furniture
Chairs, umbrellas, canopies, and carts to set up your beach base.
Beach Chair
Lightweight, foldable with cup holder. Look for rust-resistant aluminum.
Beach Umbrella
UPF 50+ with sand anchor. 7ft diameter covers 2-3 chairs.
Beach Cart / Wagon
Wide wheels for sand. Hauls chairs, cooler, umbrella in one trip.
Beach Canopy / Shelter
Pop-up shade for families. UPF 50+ protection, fits 4-6 people.
Umbrella Sand Anchor
Screw-in anchor keeps umbrella secure in windy conditions.
Beach Blanket
Sand-free, waterproof bottom. Packs small with stakes.
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Water Sports Gear
Equipment for surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. Start with rentals, then invest in your own gear when you're ready.
Surfing Equipment
Soft-top boards for beginners, wetsuits for all seasons, and essential accessories.
Soft-Top Longboard (8-9ft)
Forgiving, stable, catches small waves. Perfect for beginners.
Wetsuit (3/2mm)
Summer suit for June-September. 3mm body, 2mm arms.
Wetsuit (4/3mm)
Fall suit for October-November and late spring. 4mm body, 3mm arms.
Wetsuit (5/4mm)
Winter suit for December-March. 5mm body, 4mm arms for cold NJ water.
Surf Booties
Keep feet warm in cold water. 5mm-7mm for winter surfing.
Surf Gloves
Essential for winter surfing. 3mm-5mm keeps hands functional.
Surf Hood
Keep your head warm in winter. Works with non-hooded wetsuits.
Surf Leash
Matches your board length. Don't cheap out - safety first.
Rash Guard
Sun protection and prevents board rash.
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Paddleboarding (SUP) Gear
Inflatable SUPs, adjustable paddles, and safety equipment.
Inflatable SUP Board
All-around inflatable. Portable, durable, easy to store.
Adjustable SUP Paddle
Fiberglass or carbon fiber. Aluminum is heavy and fatiguing.
PFD / Life Jacket
Required by Coast Guard beyond bathing areas.
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Kayaking Gear
Sit-on-top kayaks, paddles, and dry bags for bay paddling.
Sit-on-Top Kayak
Stable, self-draining, easy to get back on if you flip.
Kayak Paddle (230-240cm)
Fiberglass blade with aluminum shaft is a good starter combo.
Dry Bag
Keep phone and keys dry. Essential for any paddle.
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Snorkeling Gear
Masks, fins, and snorkel sets for exploring underwater.
Snorkel Mask Set
Mask, snorkel, and fins combo. Look for tempered glass mask.
Snorkel Mask
Tempered glass, silicone skirt. Proper fit prevents leaks.
Snorkel Fins
Short fins for snorkeling. Open heel with adjustable straps.
Rash Vest / Swim Shirt
UPF 50+ protection and prevents jellyfish stings.
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Water Safety Gear
Life jackets, first aid kits, and emergency equipment. Safety first!
Adult Life Jacket
USCG approved. Required for paddling beyond bathing areas.
Kids Life Jacket
USCG approved for kids. Check weight rating.
Safety Whistle
Attach to PFD. Required for paddle sports in many areas.
Waterproof First Aid Kit
Compact, waterproof kit for beach and water activities.
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Fishing & Crabbing Gear
Everything you need to catch stripers, fluke, blues, and blue claw crabs.
Fishing Equipment
Rods, reels, tackle, waders, and coolers for surf and pier fishing.
Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
Versatile combo for surf and pier fishing.
Tackle Box
Organize lures, hooks, and tackle.
Fishing Cooler (50qt+)
Keep your catch fresh. 50+ quart for serious fishing.
Surf Fishing Waders
Stay dry during surf fishing. Neoprene for cold water.
Studded Jetty Boots
Grip on slippery rocks and jetties.
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Crabbing Supplies
Traps, nets, lines, and gloves for blue claw crabbing.
Collapsible Crab Trap
Easy to store and transport. NJ allows manually operated traps.
Crab Scoop Net
For scooping crabs off docks and jetties.
Crabbing Gloves
Protect hands from pinches and sharp shells.
Bait Cage / Container
Hold bait securely in your trap.
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Family & Kids Gear
Keep the whole family entertained and safe at the beach.
Beach Toys & Kids Gear
Sand toys, floaties, and family-friendly beach essentials.
Sand Toy Set
Buckets, shovels, molds - everything for sandcastle building.
Kids Beach Tent
Pop-up shade tent with UPF 50+ protection for little ones.
Swim Arm Floaties
Coast Guard approved arm bands for beginning swimmers.
Kids Boogie Board
Sized right for kids. Soft foam, safe leash.
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Outdoor Activities
Gear for hiking, birding, photography, camping, and golf at the Shore.
Photography Gear
Waterproof cases, tripods, and accessories for shore photography.
Travel Tripod
Lightweight, sturdy, essential for sunrise/sunset shots.
Camera Backpack
Weather-resistant with padded compartments.
Polarizing Filter
Reduces glare, darkens skies. Essential for beach photography.
Lens Cleaning Kit
Sand and salt spray are brutal on lenses. Clean often.
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Birding Equipment
Binoculars, field guides, and spotting gear for shorebird watching.
Binoculars (8x42)
8x42 is the sweet spot for birding. Waterproof essential for shore.
Spotting Scope
For distant shorebirds and waterfowl. 20-60x zoom.
Field Guide
Sibley or Peterson guides are gold standards.
Photography/Birding Vest
Pockets for field guide, snacks, and accessories.
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Camping Gear
Tents, sleeping bags, and essentials for shore camping.
Beach Camping Tent
Durable tent with sand stakes. Look for good ventilation.
Sleeping Bag (Summer)
40-50°F rating ideal for NJ summer camping.
Portable Camp Stove
Compact propane stove for campsite cooking.
Camping Cooler
High-performance cooler for multi-day trips.
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Golf Gear
Clubs, balls, and accessories for shore golf courses.
Golf Glove
Quality leather glove for better grip. Bring extras for humid shore days.
Golf Balls (Dozen)
Bring extra balls for windy coastal courses.
Golf Hat / Visor
Sun protection essential for exposed coastal courses.
Golf Towel
Microfiber towel for cleaning clubs. Humidity makes grips slippery.
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Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What gear do I need for a day at the Jersey Shore?
Essential beach day gear includes: sunscreen (reef-safe preferred), beach chairs or blanket, umbrella for shade, cooler with drinks and snacks, towels, and a beach bag. For water activities, consider bringing swim goggles, boogie boards, or sand toys for kids.
Should I buy or rent water sports equipment at the Shore?
Try before you buy by renting first. Most surf schools and kayak outfitters offer affordable hourly rentals. If you visit frequently (3+ times per summer), buying your own equipment often pays off within one season. End-of-season sales in September can save 30-50%.
What fishing gear do I need for surf fishing in New Jersey?
For surf fishing, you need: a 9-12 foot medium-heavy rod, a spinning reel (4000-6000 size), 15-20lb braided line, a tackle box with circle hooks, sinkers, and leaders, plus a cooler for your catch. Waders are helpful but not required.
Do I need a wetsuit for surfing at the Jersey Shore?
Summer (June-August) you can surf in boardshorts. Spring and fall require a 3/2mm wetsuit. Winter surfing needs a 5/4mm or thicker suit plus boots and gloves. Water temperatures range from 45°F in winter to 75°F in August.
What safety gear is required for kayaking and paddleboarding?
The Coast Guard requires a PFD (life jacket) when paddling beyond bathing areas. A whistle is also recommended. For longer trips, bring a dry bag for your phone, water, and sun protection. Rental shops provide basic safety gear.
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