Ocean County, NJ · Atlantic Ocean

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

The northern tip of Long Beach Island, anchored by "Old Barney" — the 1859 lighthouse you can climb (217 steps to the top) for panoramic views of LBI, Barnegat Bay, and Island Beach across the inlet. Small Atlantic beach, a 1,033-foot ADA fishing jetty, and a maritime-forest trail.

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Today's Conditions

Skip the beach today.

64% rain · NWS alert active · 76°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Patchy smoke and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 5am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Weather

81°F air — ideal beach weather
64% rain — rain likely at some point
20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything

Water

76°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
3.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids

Safety

NWS alert active — special marine warning issued july 18 at 4:02pm edt until july 18 at 6:00pm edt by nws mount holly nj

33 /100

skip

13 Swim

22 Sunbathe

37 Walk

40 Fish

59 Photo

Best for photography today

Water level 0.7 ft above predicted

Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.

NOAA station 8534720 · Observed 1.02 ft · Predicted 0.35 ft

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

NWS · In effect through Jul 19, 8:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 6 ft expected. * WHERE...Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Little Egg Inlet to Great Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM and Coastal waters from Great Egg Inlet to Cape May NJ out 20 NM. * WHEN...From noon today to 4 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

Weather alert in effect

Special Marine Warning issued July 18 at 4:02PM EDT until July 18 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Tornado Watch issued July 18 at 1:55PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

81°F

Patchy Smoke

Wind

20 mph

Rain

64%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

4 Moderate

Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~50m

Burn-free before 11 AM & after 03 PM

Tomorrow

80°F

Mostly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

76°F

Swimming weather

Next High Tide

11:41 PM

4.6 ft · in 2.7h

Wave Height

3.9 ft

5s · S swell

Rip Current Risk

Low

NWS SRF · PHI · NJZ026 · Issued Jul 18, 7:42 PM

Water Quality

Clean

3 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 7mo ago

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:43 AM

Sunset

8:21 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
5:18 AM	Low	-0.2 ft
11:30 AM	High	4.4 ft
5:29 PM	Low	0.3 ft
11:41 PM	High	4.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:06 AM	Low	0.1 ft
12:21 PM	High	4.3 ft
6:26 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:30 AM	High	4.2 ft
6:53 AM	Low	0.3 ft
1:11 PM	High	4.3 ft
7:23 PM	Low	0.8 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:19 AM	High	3.8 ft
7:38 AM	Low	0.5 ft
2:02 PM	High	4.2 ft
8:21 PM	Low	1.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:11 AM	High	3.5 ft
8:25 AM	Low	0.7 ft
2:56 PM	High	4.2 ft
9:24 PM	Low	1.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:10 AM	High	3.2 ft
9:16 AM	Low	0.9 ft
3:53 PM	High	4.2 ft
10:25 PM	Low	1.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:11 AM	High	3.1 ft
10:09 AM	Low	0.9 ft
4:46 PM	High	4.3 ft
11:21 PM	Low	1.0 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8534720, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 18

81°

Patchy Smoke

64%

Sun Jul 19

80°

Mostly Sunny

Mon Jul 20

79°

Sunny

Tue Jul 21

81°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

62%

Wed Jul 22

82°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

85%

Thu Jul 23

78°

Slight Chance Rain Showers

24%

Fri Jul 24

78°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

15%

What to Bring Today

recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 76°F
recommended Rain cover + dry bag 64% chance of rain

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Best Fishing Times Today

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Minor

10:10 PM - 11:10 PM

Major

3:30 AM - 5:30 AM

Minor

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Major

3:40 PM - 5:40 PM

Beach Info

Parking

Free state park lot.

Dogs

Leashed dogs permitted in park areas; not in lighthouse.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

Amenities

lighthouse (climb)fishing jetty (ADA)maritime forest trailpicnic sheltersrestroomsbeach (unguarded)

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park today?

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Barnegat Lighthouse State Park dog-friendly?

Leashed dogs permitted in park areas; not in lighthouse.

Is there an entry fee at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?

Entry to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is free.

Are there lifeguards at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?

No lifeguards are stationed at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?

Amenities at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park include lighthouse (climb), fishing jetty (ADA), maritime forest trail, picnic shelters, restrooms, beach (unguarded).

When is the water warmest at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park?

Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.

Where is Barnegat Lighthouse State Park located?

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is in Ocean County, NJ, at 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006.