Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association – Launch site directory

Driving Directions:

• Garden State Parkway to Exit 105 (Eatontown, SR-35, SR-36, Long Branch).
• Follow Route 36 East for about 4 miles until it turns into Joline Avenue just past Monmouth Park Race track. (Road changes to one lane each way.)
• Left on Branchport Avenue (At the traffic light with LUK OIL station).
• Go over train tracks and proceed to second traffic light (about a 1/2 mile on Branchport Avenue) and make a right turn onto Port-Au-Peck Avenue. Continue 1/2 mile on Port-Au-Peck Avenue to a light with Monmouth Boulevard.
• Follow through the light, the road will turn into a very residential road and the park will be on the left side.
• Pull into the park and just aim towards the back and the gravel parking area.
• There is a boat launch area at the rear and parking.

Address:

Port Au Peck Avenue

Oceanport, NJ 07757, Monmouth County

Land owner: Township

GPS Coordinates: L 40^o 19.533' N    Lo 74^o 00.414' W      [40.32555^o N    74.00690^o W]

Water: Salt

Water type: River

Launch area is: Ramp

Launch area surface is: Concrete

Facilities: Trash Receptacle

Launching considerations / restrictions:

The Shrewsbury River is tidal and for the best time, try to launch at periods of higher levels.

Parking situation:

Parking is free, parking specific to the boat launch area is on the gravel at the back of the park by the ramp. Pay mind to the restricted spaces for trailer only parking. Parking is prohibited along the cattails, see parking layout link below.

Comments:

Be advised to pay close attention to speed limits in this area!

Blackberry Bay and the Shrewsbury inland of this point are nicely sheltered waters, generally some tidal current is present but not too intrusive. There are many options for routes from this launch point, one suggestion for a leisurely paddle is to head out of the Bay/cove and head inland to Old Wharf Park in Oceanport. Dolphins, though rare are spotted in this section of the Shrewsbury. Scenery is mostly private homes and docks.

This area is notorious for jetski and waterskiing activity, particularly weekends during the summer.

!Caution If you follow the Shrewsbury out to the bay at Sandy Hook, be mindful of the currents and the tides. The currents under the bridges are some of the swiftest in the area, the Coast Guard at Sandy Hook likens them to HellGate in Brooklyn. Avoid this section if you doubt your skills.

Related Links:

Picture of sign.

Picture of parking area.

Picture of putin.

Satellite image showing launch sites and local geography.

Satellite image close up.

Chart showing launch site.

Suggested paddling routes.

TopoZone Topo map

Google street map

Last Update: 10/8/2007

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