Sandy Hook – Beach C

Sandy Hook's ocean side is a long, undeveloped run of sand at the top of the Jersey Shore, with the New York City skyline in view from North Beach. Beach C is the first guarded beach you reach, and the park allows swimming only where and when lifeguards are on duty. Summer ferries run from Manhattan, and drivers who arrive early can park in fee lots free until collection starts at 8.

Directions

Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Get your personalized SwimScore

Latest reading · SwimScore 68/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 19°C, wind 33 km/h, waves 2.0 m, UV 2. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Getting in: Part of Gateway National Recreation Area; no entrance fee, park open daily 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Seastreak runs a seasonal ferry from Manhattan (Memorial Day weekend–Labor Day); NJ Transit bus and rail stop about seven miles from the entrance.
Parking & transport: Beach parking $20 per vehicle per day or $100 per season (Saturday of Memorial Day weekend–Labor Day, collected 8 a.m.–6 p.m., cashless). Cars arriving before 8 a.m. can park in fee lots free until 8.
Lifeguards: Swimming beaches are guarded 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. For 2026, NPS lists Beach C and Beach D as guarded, with Gunnison and North Beach unguarded; swimming is prohibited where and when lifeguards are not on duty.
Water quality: New Jersey's Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (NJDEP with local health departments) monitors ocean bathing beaches for bacteria from mid-May to mid-September; results and advisories are posted at njbeaches.org.
Season: Guarded swimming Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Watch for: Rip currents and lateral currents
Large storm surf and undertow
Sudden drop-offs
How far you may swim from shore is at the lifeguards' discretion
Facilities: Restrooms and showers (peak season) · Drinking water · Baby changing station · Bike rack and bike repair station