Maddie Vitale
Cape May County may be at the bottom of the state geographically, but three communities within the county topped statewide polls for their wide sandy beaches, family-friendly atmosphere and beauty.
There’s always been a bit of friendly rivalry between the neighboring towns of Ocean City and Sea Isle City, but a USA Today poll on Wednesday for New Jersey’s top 10 beaches revealed that tourists and residents alike love the beaches of both resorts.
Wildwood topped the poll for beaches, followed by Ocean City in second and Sea Isle in third. Other New Jersey towns ranking fourth through 10th were Atlantic City, Cape May, Long Beach Island, Avalon, Island Beach State Park, Brigantine and Asbury Park.
“New Jersey offers bathers 130 miles of coastline dotted with beaches, barrier islands, lighthouses and beautiful scenery. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the white sands of the Jersey Shore each year, and it’s easy to see why,” the poll states in a description for USA Today readers.
In the statewide polls, voters were allowed to cast their ballots up to once a day until polls closed on Wednesday and the winner was announced.
Ocean City and Sea Isle officials spoke about some of the reasons why their beaches are popular destinations for the countless tourists who flock to the coast each year.
“Ocean City is honored to be named one of the best beaches in the Northeast in USA Today’s Top 10 Beaches,” said Michelle Gillian, Executive Director of the Ocean City Area Chamber of Commerce. “For generations of people who have made memories here, visiting or calling Ocean City, New Jersey, home is a proud tradition.”
Ocean City has eight miles of beach, 2.5 miles of boardwalk, and a variety of rides and other attractions.
The town description in the poll states, “Ocean City is a popular family-friendly coastal hub that attracts visitors of all ages each year. It is adjacent to a legendary boardwalk with carnival rides and entertainment and boasts miles of beaches.”
Ocean City came in second, while Sea Isle, with its 4.5 miles of beach and oceanfront promenade, came in third.
Sea Isle City spokesperson Katherine Custer said of the honor, “Many Sea Isle City residents consider our beach to be the best in the country, so it’s naturally an honor to be recognized as the third best beach in the state.”
She added, “I’m grateful that Sea Isle has received this high recognition because it’s wonderful to see others recognize how great our community is.”
Sea Isle’s beaches are getting even wider thanks to a replenishment project that will add about 1 million cubic yards of new sand to the shoreline, which is expected to be completed in mid-June.
A USA Today poll described the town in part, stating, “Sea Isle City’s beautiful, family-friendly beaches attract avid beachgoers of all ages. Whether you’re dipping in the ocean waves, sunbathing on the wide, soft sand or fishing off the pier, these beaches are perfect for some waterfront fun.”
To see the poll results, visit https://10best.usatoday.com/ For more information on Ocean City, click oceancityvacation.com For more information on Sea Isle City, visit https://visitsicnj.com/
