Fortescue

Fortescue Rd & Downe Ave, Newport, NJ 08345

"The Weakfish Capital of the World" — a tiny Cumberland County Bay community with a public swim/wade beach, boat ramps, and a working fishing port. Enrolled as a horseshoe crab sanctuary; beach closed day and night May 7 – Jun 7 during migration.

Charters & Tours2

Ideal for a beach walk.

80°F air · 71°F water

Full NWS forecast for Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Weather

  • 80°F air — ideal beach weather
  • Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

  • 71°F water — swimmable, refreshing
79 /100
great
77 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo

Best for walking today

Air Temp
80°F
Clear
Wind
5 to 15 mph
S
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Partly Sunny
Water Temp
71°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
7:49 PM
6.3 ft · in 5.1h
Water Quality
Clean
3 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Sunrise
5:35 AM
Sunset
8:31 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-day chart →
Time Type Height
1:31 AM Low 0.7 ft
7:20 AM High 5.1 ft
1:31 PM Low 0.5 ft
7:49 PM High 6.3 ft
Today Jun 25
80°

Mostly Sunny

1%
82
Fri Jun 26
86°

Partly Sunny

7%
84
Sat Jun 27
79°

Showers And Thunderstorms

87%
15
Sun Jun 28
83°

Mostly Sunny

13%
84
Mon Jun 29
84°

Mostly Sunny

3%
82
Tue Jun 30
89°

Mostly Sunny

4%
74
Wed Jul 1
93°

Mostly Sunny

14%
74
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high

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

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

Major
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Minor
1:40 AM - 2:40 AM
Major
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Minor
4:40 PM - 5:40 PM

Parking

Free lot at beach end.

Dogs

Leashed dogs permitted outside closure window.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Fortescue Rd & Downe Ave, Newport, NJ 08345

beach accessboat rampcharter fishingfishing pier
Is Fortescue dog-friendly?

Leashed dogs permitted outside closure window.

Is there an entry fee at Fortescue?

Entry to Fortescue is free.

Are there lifeguards at Fortescue?

No lifeguards are stationed at Fortescue. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Fortescue?

Amenities at Fortescue include beach access, boat ramp, charter fishing, fishing pier.

When is the water warmest at Fortescue?

Delaware Bay peaks in July and August at roughly 76-80°F — warmer and calmer than the open Atlantic. Comfortable swimming mid-June through September.

Where is Fortescue located?

Fortescue is in Cumberland County, NJ, at Fortescue Rd & Downe Ave, Newport, NJ 08345.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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