Beach Haven beach vacation rentals

True to its name, Beach Haven is a quintessential East Coast nautical town, lined with pristine ocean on one side and a bayfront primed for water activities on the other. Located on the southern end of the barrier island of Long Beach Island (or, as the locals refer to it, LBI), the family-friendly destination offers endless activities — including swimming, surfing, tennis, volleyball, pickleball, and mini golf — plus an amusement park, water park, and museums. The downtown area offers a mix of dining options, including essential beach eats such as ice cream and chowder. While the borough, also known as the Queen City, has an award-winning theater, one of its greatest draws is Mother Nature’s show — the stunning array of colors cast from its bayfront sunsets.

Beach Haven thrives from June through August, with warm days melting into evenings filled with delightful summer breezes. Seasonal restaurants and shops are open and the entertainment options are plentiful, such as the live music at Veterans Park on Wednesdays and the famous Fourth of July fireworks behind Bay Village. Of course, summer also marks the busiest time of year. The short window of late September through early October offers a quieter version of the town before the temperatures really dip. Fall festivities include the fire company’s annual block party and an aptly named Fall Festival. In the winter months, Beach Haven focuses on holiday celebrations, including the Museum Tree Lighting and the Holiday Dog Parade, but many restaurants and shops run limited hours or are closed during this time. The festive atmosphere starts to re-emerge in the spring along with the rising temperatures, as flea markets and festivities return ahead of the town’s Memorial Day Parade.

Beaches

The town’s star attractions are its beaches, known for their white and powdery sand. There are eight beaches with lifeguards stationed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beach badges — which can be purchased at the office on Centre Street or from a beach badge checker — are required for those between the ages of 13 and 64.

Bay Village

This 19th-century-style waterfront village, designed and built by the Maschal family in the 1960s, features nearly two dozen eateries and shops. Among the most notable are two run by the family: a fudge shop and chowder restaurant. The Maschals are also behind the town’s Chowderfest, held in the fall.

New Jersey Maritime Museum

Deb Whitcraft had been collecting historical data on local shipwrecks for decades when she opened the New Jersey Maritime Museum in 2007. Now it’s become the state’s most comprehensive collection of history at sea, with more than 4,800 folders of maritime events in its database and an impressive collection of artifacts on site. The museum is open daily in the summer and Fridays through Sundays the rest of the year.