Add some adventure to your day at the shore with one of these outdoor activities – some are thrilling, some are relaxing and some are just plain fun!
Biking
Cruising around town or along a designated bike path with family or friends is a great way to relax and enjoy the summertime air. Styles of bicycles range from single-person rides, such as the classic beach cruiser and the mountain bike, to multi-person rides, including the two-person tandem and the four-person surrey. With an array of options to choose from, there is no reason why anyone should feel left out! Visit our Bike Paths page to find a bike path near you!
Kayaking
Cape May County offers multiple ways you can experience kayaking. Whether you’re touring the natural beauty of the coast, fishing for dinner or simply looking for a fun way to exercise, kayaking provides an exciting experience on the waters of the Jersey Shore.
In Cape May, kayaking is permitted past the bathing zone, with launch areas east of Poverty Beach and west of The Cove stand. Sea Isle City has specific beaches for kayaking, which are located at 30th, 35th, 58th and 79th streets. In Ocean City, you can use kayaks at the 9th Street Causeway, Bayside Center (520 Bay Ave.), the Tennessee Avenue Boat Ramp, Corson’s Inlet State Park, and beaches at Third, 29th, 41st and 57th streets, and Seaspray and Morningside roads.
Parasailing
If you’re brave enough to glide above the ocean at a few hundred feet up, parasailing can give you a different perspective of the coast. There are single, double or triple passenger flights offered at multiple locations. Many boats offer parasailers the option to stay dry in the air or skim the ocean during their ride. View the Jersey Shore from a whole new angle!
Yoga
Many feel at ease at the shore with the ocean breezes and beautiful weather, but heavy traffic and an influx of people can often cause some stress. Reduce anxiety with yoga, an ancient Indian tradition helping to maintain a healthy mind and body. Other benefits include improved posture and flexibility, and increased mental sharpness. Yoga is practiced at many facilities year-round, but some shore towns host morning yoga sessions on the beach to add that extra sense of relaxation. Put on your yoga pants, grab a mat and join a yoga class near you!
Surfing
Surfing has been a staple of coastal areas for centuries, dating back to early Polynesian cultures. Stand-up surfing is the most common form, where the rider is either on a short-board or long-board. Although it’s not as easy as many surfers make it look, there are tons of places in Cape May County that offer lessons so you can master surfing skills.
Some municipalities in Cape May County have designated surf beaches. In Avalon, surfing is permitted at the 30th Street beach and either side of the 12th Street stand, but not near the bathers. In Stone Harbor, surfing is permitted at 81st and 110th Street beaches. In Cape May, surfing is permitted at Poverty Beach (Wilmington Avenue), The Cove, Surfing Beach (Gurney Street) and South Queen (Queen Street). In Sea Isle City, surfing is permitted at 26th, 37th, 42nd, 48th, 53rd, 63rd, 74th and 82nd Street beaches. In Wildwood Crest, surfing is permitted at Rambler Road beach. In North Wildwood, surfing is permitted at 2nd Street beach. In Wildwood, surfing is permitted at Andrews Avenue beach. Guarded surfing beaches in Ocean City are located at 7th Street, 16th Street, Waverly Boulevard, and beaches south of 36th Street where lifeguard stands are three blocks apart.
Swimming
The sweet smell of chlorine and saltwater are in the air, and that can only mean one thing: swimming! This popular summertime activity is great fun and has many health benefits. Aside from keeping you cool on a hot summer day, taking a dip can act as a low-impact workout and help alleviate joint pains. Dive on into the bay, the ocean, your local recreational pool, your community pool or your own pool and get swimming!
Sailing
Feel the wind on your skin as you catch the breeze and sail down the coast. Sailing is an exciting water adventure the entire family can enjoy. Sit back and relax in the sun, or take a turn feeling the thrill at the wheel! Sailing benefits include muscle strength and endurance, increased agility, improved concentration and a sense of calmness. Many local yacht clubs offer sailing programs to those of any age so everyone can be a sailor!
In Sea Isle City, you can launch sailboats between 20th and 22nd Street beaches. In Ocean City, you can launch sailboats at the 9th Street Causeway, Bayside Center (520 Bay Ave.), the Tennessee Avenue Boat Ramp, Corson’s Inlet State Park, and beaches at 23rd, 29th, 42nd and 59th streets, and Seaspray and Morningside roads.
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
A popular sport now sweeping the beaches, stand up paddleboarding is both a sport and a leisure activity. True to its name, stand up paddleboards are similar to lighter surfboards that you stand on and maneuver with a paddle. While exploring and riding the waves, you also get a complete body workout that helps improve balance and core strength.
In Sea Isle City, you can use stand up paddleboards at 26th, 30th, 35th, 37th, 42nd, 48th, 53rd, 58th, 63rd, 74th, 79th and 82nd Street beaches. In Ocean City, you can use stand up paddleboards at the 9th Street Causeway, Bayside Center (520 Bay Ave.), the Tennessee Avenue Boat Ramp, Corson’s Inlet State Park, and beaches at Third, 29th, 41st and 57th streets, and Seaspray and Morningside roads.