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Map(s) Overview map (515x689), 106K size.
 Southern section (1127x825), 203K size.
SceneryIf you like bird watching, and/or dislike powerboats & jet skis, this is your spot. It is very shallow and protected. Powered craft are not allowed. You could get a nice small to medium trip exploring the marshes. For raptor lovers, I have seen several ospreys and a peregine falcons on just one excursion. The park closes at dusk, so time your trips accordingly, given parking area A-21 is about 1/4 hr from the entrance.During the warm months, bring bug repellent! Greenheads and black flies abound. And then there is that other warm weather hazard: Tourists. If you do not arrive early enough on a summer weekend, forget it; you will not be admitted. The tides can be goofy. In late April 2004, the Sedges were too shallow. And on one trip, we ran into a sandbar, which didn't appear on the map ... an easy portage, but still. Fees$7 per car during the peak season (which I assume is Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend). In the off season, it is $5 per car.DirectionsTake route 195 east, to exit 16B (outlet mall, north of Great Adventure). Head north on route 537, just past the route 195 intersection, and make a right onto Anderson Road. Take it to the end, which is route 571. Make a right onto route 571.Take route 571 south to the route 547 intersection. (The Ridgeway Liquor store will be on the right.) Turn right, and take route 547 past the naval base to the route 70 intersection. Turn left onto route 70, then go right at the circle (which will be seconds away after turning onto route 70). This is route 37. Take route 37 to route 35 south, crossing the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge over the bay; this will about 13 mi. Take route 35 south the entrance of Island Beach State Park. Pay your entrance fee, then procede parking area A-21; this should be about 7.8 mi. The parking area on the left. |
ParkingNice parking lot, but expect to track sand in your car.Distance to the Launch AreaTwo options: Either drive your car down the dirt road to the launch area, opposite the parking lot, or cart your boat to the launch area. The former is preferable since it is a 1/5 mi trip to the launch area.RestroomsNew (constructed between Apr 2005 & Sep 2006) to this site are full-blown restrooms that rival Lake Lenape. If for some reason these are closed, there are port-a-johns.Status of Launch AreaOne of the best. Sand, nice soft eel grass, followed by shallow water. This is an intertidal zone. If it were not for the annoying greenheads, who should be made into an endangered species, this launch area would be paradise.Wind ConditionsGiven that this is large bay, winds can get very nasty. They are at their meanest, when coming from the north or south, since they can build up the waves along the length of the bay. At least this launch area is well-protected. And I have yet to see this area of the bay, calm.Power BoatsThis part of the bay is the safest, and in the Sedge Islands, powered craft are banned outright.FoliageDo not know. I have not been here in the fall. But given that this is the shore, do not expect much.Rolling Practice?Best Bet: Snake Ditches, which should be deep enough. |