Beaching it on Sandy Hook: The COVID Era Update

The maximum capacity has been reduced. Access has been free. But, this weekend, as New Jersey COVID-19 restrictions ease in the second phase of reopening, some of Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook beaches will open for swimming and will have lifeguards as of Saturday.

The entrance charge will be reinstituted on Wednesday.

On its last free access day and still running at a visitor intake of 50 percent capacity, visitors were turned away only hours after the park opened on this sunny Friday.

By June 17, Gateway officials announced, “parking will return to 100 percent capacity.” While many in the Rumson-Fair Haven area belong to private beach clubs and frequent Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach beaches in the summer, some still visit Sandy Hook’s various beach spots for recreational purposes.

Many have criticized the reduced parking capacity concept at Sandy Hook, as it has relegated parking to a limited number of lots rather than distancing of spots in all lots.

As usual, though, reduced or not, fee or not, capacity in summer months, especially on weekends, has always been full early. Watch for social media announcements from Gateway if you’re venturing to the park.

Gateway officials also announced that lifeguards will be on duty as of Saturday. “Most beaches will now be open for swimming. Advisory signs noting which beaches are lifeguarded will be at the entrance and updated daily,” an announcement said.

Regarding entrance fees, “Gateway will resume collecting beach access fees at Sandy Hook on Wednesday, June 17. Daily fees are $15 per car. Fees are collected between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.”

Also, starting on Saturday, Gateway National Recreation Area will reopen access to Floyd Bennett Field.