Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association – Launch site directory

Driving Directions:

• Garden State Parkway to exit 117.
• Follow Rte 36 East for approximately 12 miles.
• Watch signs for entrance to Sandy Hook (right lane exit).
• Kayaks launch from the Chokecherry parking area or the Horseshoe Cove parking area.

Address:

Sandy Hook National Recreation Area

Fort Hancock, NJ 07732, Monmouth County

Land owner: Federal

Coordinates: 00^o00.00'N   00^o00.00'W

Water: Salt

Water type: Bay

Launch area is: Beach

Launch area surface is: Sand

Facilities: Unknown

Launching considerations / restrictions:

Ocean side launching NOT permitted. As far as currents go, be very careful at the bridge which crosses over to Sandy Hook from the mainland. According to the Rangers the current under the bridge is second in strength only to Hellgate in New York. At the end of the hook the wind and current are very strong and the commercial shipping lanes are only a few yards from shore.

Parking situation:

Parking Fee is $10, Season Pass available. For both launch sites, you have to cross the road from the parking lots to get to the bay side. However you can stop long enough to unload a boat at Horseshoe Cove on the Bay side. There is a small bus loading zone there, and a small parking lot about 50 yards away. If you are not sure where these are, ask the Rangers in the HQ in the center of the peninsula. Note: the $10 parking fee applies when using the Ocean beachs and thus parking in those lots. If you tell them you're kayaking and putting in on the bay and therefore parking in the Horseshoe lot, you don't have to pay any toll.

Comments:

None reported.

Related Links:

Gateway National Recreation Area

Last Update: 8/26/2002

Copyright © 2008 by Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No warranties are expressed or implied.