This Jersey Shore Beach Has the Clearest Water in the State—and It’s the Cleanest, Too

New Jersey has some of the cleanest beaches in the country, with the water quality of these beaches routinely ranked among the best in the United States. According to The Natural Resources Defense Council, 35 New Jersey beaches were able to meet water quality standards 98  of the time over the last five years.

While New Jersey beaches typically don’t have the crystal-clear waters you’d find in the Caribbean or Florida, some can surprise you with how clear it gets. According to onlyinyourstate.com, the clearest water in New Jersey is in Stone Harbor at 96th Street Beach in Cape May County.

Though there’s no boardwalk in Stone Harbor, the small town of less than 1,000 year-round residents is very close to Ocean City, New Jersey. In the summer, the population of Stone Harbor balloons to over 20,000 as vacationers mostly from the mid-Atlantic states and Quebec, Canada, flock to the area.

“Stone Harbor is a charming borough in Cape May County, at the southern end of Seven Mile Island. The 96th Street Beach in this small town offers beautiful, clear water in New Jersey. You’ll never want to leave,” the onlyinyourstate.com notes.

If you’re planning a trip to Stone Harbor, it is also possible to visit the Stone Harbor Museum, which contains more than 50,000 unique artifacts and focuses on the local history of the area, or the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, which is registered as a National Landmark by the National Park Service. According to the Cape May County website, there are plenty of activities to partake of in Stone Harbor, including fishing, jet skiing, surfing, sailing, shell collecting, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and more. The summer also sees events like the Stone Harbor Art Show and Craft Show, which draws many visitors to the town.

The cleanest beaches in New Jersey are the beach at 40th Street in Avalon, Sea Isle City at 40th Street, Upper Township at Webster Road, Wildwood Crest at Orchid, Margate at Washington, and Port Pleasant Beach, according to onlyinyourstate.com. The Jersey Shore is famous for its many beach towns that cater to all kinds of travelers, as well as its many boardwalks that contain nostalgia-inspiring attractions, a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, which all spring to vibrant life in the summertime.