6 Best Places to Paddle Board in New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey: where the East Coast meets the water.

Ever considered discovering the best places to paddle board in New Jersey?

The Garden State’s beautiful coastline and waterways await you.

Embark on a journey, and let’s explore New Jersey’s paddle boarding gems together. Ready to launch?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in New Jersey

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from April through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 88 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in New Jersey

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Spruce Run Reservoir

🏖️ Location Type: Reservoir
📍 Access Point: Boat launch area at Spruce Run Recreation Area, 68 Van Syckles Road, Clinton, with a cartop launch and a trailer ramp (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Open reservoir water, sheltered in the coves, closed to all boating once the wind reaches 25 miles per hour
☀️ Popular Seasons: Launch open daily 8am to 8pm year round, entry fee only from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish, yellow perch
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Fifteen miles of shoreline in the Hunterdon hills, with Round Valley Reservoir nearby
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: The state park service lists paddleboarding among the permitted uses. A Coast Guard approved flotation device is required for every person on board, motors are capped at 10 hp, and a warning light at the launch flashes when the reservoir closes for wind

Spruce Run Reservoir near Clinton is the third largest reservoir in New Jersey and one of the few where the state park service names paddleboarding directly among the permitted activities, alongside canoeing, kayaking and sailing. All craft launch from the same boat launch area, which has a cartop launch as well as ramps and docks.

Fifteen miles of shoreline give plenty of sheltered water to work along, and the coves stay usable when the open middle does not. A wind warning light at the launch flashes at 25 miles per hour, and at that point everyone has to clear the water.

#2 Sandy Hook Bay

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Horseshoe Cove (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bay waters, mild ocean swell
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, seals, various bird species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Sandy Hook Lighthouse, New York City skyline on clear days
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Avoid sensitive wildlife areas, watch for boat traffic

Sandy Hook Bay, located along the coast of New Jersey, is a fantastic place for paddle boarding. With the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse and stunning views of the New York City skyline on clear days, it offers a scenic and tranquil experience.

Be mindful of wildlife and boat traffic as you paddle around this beautiful bay.

#3 Lake Hopatcong

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Hopatcong State Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm lake waters, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Fish, waterfowl, occasional deer
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Forested shoreline, islands to explore
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Keep a safe distance from boats, adhere to park rules

Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey’s largest freshwater lake, offering numerous opportunities for paddle boarding. Beginners and experienced paddlers alike can enjoy the calm waters and picturesque scenery of this popular destination.

Explore the lake’s many islands and secluded coves, and keep an eye out for local wildlife as you paddle around this beautiful spot.

#4 Ocean City

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Ninth Street Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, ocean currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, dolphins
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Ocean City Boardwalk, fishing pier
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Observe lifeguard instructions, stay clear of swimmers

Ocean City, a popular beach destination in New Jersey, offers an exciting paddle boarding experience. This spot is perfect for those who enjoy paddling on ocean waters and catching a few waves.

Remember to observe lifeguard instructions and stay clear of swimmers to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

#5 Barnegat Bay

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Long Beach Island (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bay waters, afternoon breezes
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Crabs, clams, seabirds, occasional turtles
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Wetlands, marinas, and the Barnegat Lighthouse
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect wildlife areas

Barnegat Bay is a shallow body of water located along New Jersey’s coastline. It’s an excellent destination for paddle boarding, with its calm waters and surrounding wetlands providing a range of paddling possibilities.

As you explore the bay, be sure to look out for wildlife and keep an eye on the picturesque Barnegat Lighthouse in the distance.

#6 Delaware River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Kingwood Township, NJ (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Mild currents, protected from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Bass, muskie, various bird species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Forested riverbanks, covered bridges
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Moderate river flows, use caution when navigating rapids

Last but not least, the Delaware River is a great destination for paddle boarding in New Jersey. The forested riverbanks, mild currents, and historic covered bridges make it an excellent spot to explore on your stand-up paddle board.

Be mindful of the river’s flow and use caution when navigating any rapids or obstacles in the river.

New Jersey has back bays behind the barrier islands, which is where most of the paddling happens. Cape May is the southern tip, Delaware the next state down and Chesapeake Bay the big one beyond it.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case