75°
Sunny
0%
82
Monmouth County, NJ · Atlantic Ocean
Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)
128 S Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732
A 6-mile barrier-beach peninsula at the mouth of NY Harbor — part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Seven lettered beaches (A-E plus North and Gunnison) with sweeping Manhattan-skyline views. Sandy Hook has NYC's closest federally-managed ocean beach, plus Fort Hancock history and the oldest working lighthouse in the country.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
75°F air · 69°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 75. South wind around 15 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Weather
- 75°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 69°F water — swimmable, refreshing
81 /100
great
77 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
75°F
Sunny
Wind
15 mph
S
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
78°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
69°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
10:35 PM
5.0 ft · in 1.2h
Barometer
30.17 inHg
1022 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
3 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ338)
The OKX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NYZ075 Kings (Brooklyn) — Coney Island Beach and Manhattan Beach Low
- NYZ178 Southern Queens — Jacob Riis Park and Rockaway Beach Low
- NYZ179 Southern Nassau — Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Low
- NYZ080 Southwestern Suffolk — Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park Low
- NYZ081 Southeastern Suffolk — Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, Low
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:27 AM
Sunset
8:21 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:39 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:36 AM | High | 4.1 ft |
| 4:30 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 10:35 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
78°
Sunny
1%
82
84°
Sunny
0%
82
88°
Mostly Sunny
6%
82
78°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
70%
14
67°
Chance Rain Showers
29%
64
69°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
18%
69
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
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
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
2:20 AM - 4:20 AM
Minor
7:20 AM - 8:20 AM
Major
2:40 PM - 4:40 PM
Beach Info
Parking
NPS lots at each beach. Fills by 9-10 AM summer weekends.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on recreational beaches Mar 15 – Labor Day. Allowed on leash other months.
Entry Fee
$20/vehicle daily, $100 seasonal (Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day, 8 AM – 6 PM)
Address
128 S Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA).
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on recreational beaches Mar 15 – Labor Day. Allowed on leash other months.
Is there an entry fee at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?
$20/vehicle daily, $100 seasonal (Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day, 8 AM – 6 PM)
Are there lifeguards at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?
Amenities at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) include lifeguards, seven beaches, restrooms, bike trail, fort hancock, lighthouse, visitor center, snack bars.
When is the water warmest at Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA)?
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 Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) located?
Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) is in Monmouth County, NJ, at 128 S Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS