While
not actually part of the Pinelands Management area, Long Beach
Island, or "LBI", in Southern Ocean County is directly
across from the extensive Forsythe
Wildlife Refuge (which Holgate,
at the Island's southern end, is a part of) included in the Management
area. Also, for visitors to the Pine Barrens, Long Beach Island
offers a number of mid-range and upscale accommodations and dining
alternatives while still retaining a natural and low-key feel.
Several hotels are oceanfront or bayfront, and all the hotels
and bed-and-breakfasts here are no more than a few blocks from
the water. It's just a short drive from Long Beach Island to the
Pine Barrens and excellent hiking, canoeing, kayaking, off-roading,
historic villages and so much more!
The beaches on Long Beach Island are white sugar sand, fringed
by dunes. Most areas are open to the public for a nominal
daily fee; each Borough and LBI Township sell season passes as
well. The island is a popular vacation spot for thousands from
May through November, and short-term
and summer rentals are abundant throughout the Island.
A number of oceanfront, bayfront or other homes and businesses
are available for sale as well; take advantage of the reduced
real estate prices and buy
your dream home here in paradise on the Atlantic!
Stevens
Real Estate ...where
you're a name, not just a number!
If quality
service is important to you, call us! 1-800-494-5315
Long Beach Island Vacation Home Sales and Rentals
Serving all of Long Beach Island and Southern Ocean County
Visit our office at
7300 Long Beach Boulevard, Brant Beach (Long Beach Island)
NJ Search
for Home Sales and Rentals
Long Beach Island has become a popular year-round tourist destination.
There is much to do here every season, and although some restaurants
on "The Island" close for the winter months, those on
the mainland remain open. Winter rentals are quite affordable,
and "The Mainland" towns of Stafford, Barnegat, Little
Egg Harbor, Tuckerton and Waretown in Ocean County offer countless
opportunities to explore the million acres of Pinelands, visit
museums, hike, bike, canoe and camp! Half-day tours
of the Pine Barrens, winery tours, and coastal Pinelands tours
are available. The tours depart from Ship Bottom on selected Thursdays
during the summer. The fall schedule will be announced, but cranberry
harvest tours will be on the schedule, and also may include
a Jersey Devil Tour, and we're
not talking about the hockey team! There are several award-winning
wineries in the Pine Barrens - have you ever tasted cranberry
wine? It a perfect complement to your Thanksgiving dinner,
and Valenzano
Winery offers both a red and white variety, both of which
are favorites of mine!
Long Beach Island consists of several
boroughs and a township, all on an eighteen-mile barrier island
bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the East and the Barnegat and
Little Egg Harbor Bays on the West. They
are, from north to south:
At the north end of The Island
is Barnegat Light and the famous Barnegat
Lighthouse,also known as "Ol' Barney",
while the southern terminus is home to the Holgate
Wildlife Refuge.
The only access by car to Long
Beach island is the Route 72 Causeway Bridge. Long Beach Boulevard
runs north-south the entire length of the Island. While there
are several nightspots with music and dancing 'til the wee hours,
The Island retains a family atmosphere, which is a source of pride
here!
Other than sunbathing and swimming in the clear waters of the
Atlantic, surf fishing is a favorite pastime of visitors and residents
alike. A walk along the shore, especially in the evening,
will find anglers any season of the year. There are also
charter boats, many of which call Barnegat Light their home port,
that are available for half or full-day fishing
trips.
A big tourist attraction
on Long Beach Island is the historic and beautiful Barnegat
Lighthouse, known affectionately as "Ol' Barney", located
at Barnegat Lighthouse State
Park on the northern tip of the Island, in the borough
of Barnegat Light. This sentinel stands tall on the Atlantic
and serves as a major navigational landmark for the many fishing
and pleasure boats that take advantage of the Atlantic Ocean's
clean and abundant waters. Barnegat
Light, the host town of Ol' Barney is a bustling coastal
town where one can find many unique shops and restaurants as
well as numerous fishing charters. Many of these are in the
vicinity of Viking
Village.
The south end of Long Beach Island
features Beach
Haven, home to Bay Village and Schooner's Wharf, a bustling
area with shops and restaurants.
Restaurants
abound on the Island, from flip-flop casual to haute cuisine,
Italian to Chinese, and of course seafood! October brings
the Annual Chowderfest,
where for a nominal admission fee, visitors can taste Manhattan
and New England clam chowders made by the chefs of area restaurants.
Winners are voted upon each year; and it has become an award-winning
event for both locals and tourists from far and wide! What a great
time to visit the region. The Chowderfest was held this year on
Sunday, October 5, 2008; The Merchants' Mart was held the day
before. More
information.Check our Calendar
of Events for more things going on in this most beautiful
month, including the cranberry harvest!
Long Beach Island
is steeped in colorful history. The Museum
of NJ Maritime History is located on the corner of Dock
Road and West Avenue in Beach Haven. The dream-come-true
of local Deborah Whitcraft, this museum opened in July 2007 and
is getting rave reviews. It's definitely worth a visit!
Visit the Long
Beach Island Historical Association's website
to learn the history of this fascinating island!
The Surflight
Theatre in Beach Haven is a professional theatre offering
an amazing variety of Broadway shows such as "Oklahoma",
"The Producers", and "Chicago", by talented
actors. A concert series is also featured; this year Grammy nominee
guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and 1975 Grammy winner Judy Collins ("Both
Sides Now", "Send in the Clowns", and many other
hits) will entertain their fans.
See
photos of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, Viking Village
and the Beach at Harvey Cedars.
The Pine Barrens
is becoming a popular tourist destination. It offers history, nature, boating,
camping, fishing, swimming, and most of all, peace and tranquility. It's
important to families who live here, whether for a few years or many generations,
that our peace and tranquility be preserved.A local lawyer or doctor won't
look any different than his neighbor who works the land. Thousand dollar
suits aren't what impress people of the Pines - taking care of nature and
fellow man is what matters. To that end, it is important for you to know
that as a visitor to our precious Pine Barrens, you should show respect
for the flora and fauna, for the historical buildings or their remains,
and show respect for the "locals". Walk and drive gently. Treat
our Pine Barrens as you would want a visitor to treat your own home town
- and your own family. Thank you.
Please
note: Unless
otherwise noted, all articles and photographs on this site are the property
of PineyPower, and as such, may not be reproduced without written permission.
Thank you.
Please e-mail webmaster@pineypower.com
with questions or comments about this website.
While
not actually part of the Pinelands Management area, Long Beach
Island, or "LBI", in Southern Ocean County is directly
across from the extensive 
