First Bridge Marina

Map(s)

Overview map (637x608), 126K size.

Scenery

Not as large as Barnegat Bay to the north, Little Egg Harbor bay has plenty of sedges & marshes to explore, making it ideal for kayaking. Located on Big Thorofare, the launch area is protected from the heavy wave action on a windy day. It is also the prime launch location into sedges.

Problem: Because of all of the marshes, the bay is worst for greenheads. Keep plenty of deet and/or Citronella at hand. Note: Though environment-friendly, Citronella attracks carpenter bees; which the EPA factsheet neglects to mention.) The greenheads are so bad, that after one trip at this location, it sounded like my car was getting pelted by hail ... it was the greenheads trying to get in.

Also watch the tides ... you can get stranded in the marshes quite easily.

Fees

None.

Directions

Take route 195 east, to exit 8. At the top of the ramp, turn left. Just beyond the route 195 intersection, turn right onto route 524. Take route 524, 1.6 mi to Sharon Station Road (this is the first intersection). Turn right onto Sharon Station Road, which eventully leads into route 539. (Most maps do NOT show the two roads connecting; Sharon Station Road was diverted, recently, to make the roads connect.) Before reaching route 539, be careful going through the route 526 intersection ... go the posted speed limit, and you will feel it in your lower back. Also watch out for a large pothole near that intersection, on the south-bound side.

Take route 539 to the intersection with route 9, turn right. After 0.2 mi; there are 2 possible left turns. Take the one that is at a 45-degree angle with route 9 ... Great Bay Blvd. After crossing a bridge, 2.6 mi down the road, there will be a dirt path just before First Bridge Marina. Turn right into the dirt path, proceed to the end & park.

Parking

Parking is limited on the this strip of sand. Be cognizant of the tide tables, or you might find yourself in the mud, at the end of your trip.

Distance to the Launch Area

Close enough to carry your boat.

Restrooms

Nothing. Consider using the restrooms at nearby Tip Seaman Park, along route 9, south of the route 539 intersection.

Status of Launch Area

If the water is rough, this is better than Parker Cove, since you are launching into Big Thorofare, which could be under 0.1 mi, or as far as 0.4 mi from the bay, depending on your launch site. Nice, soft sand for gelcoats. But since it is sheltered, there is a larger greenhead problem.

Wind Conditions

Given that this is large bay, winds can get very nasty. They are at their meanest, when coming from the east, since they can build up the waves.

Powerboats

The sky is the limit. Powerboats & jet skis abound. Stay out of the channels, indicated by red & green markers. If ever there was a place to go out in groups, this it; multiple kayaks have greater visibility than lone ones.

Foliage

Do not know. I have not been here in the fall. But given that this is the shore, do not anything.

Rolling Practice?

Little Egg Harbor is huge, and includes a lot of boat traffic. Some of the coves & marshes may be okay. Best Bet: Consider the in-land lakes.