Sandy Hook is a little island stretching north from New Jersey's eastern border offering pristine beaches, hiking, swimming, bird watching, and just plain relaxation for travelers, especially those funneling in from New York and New Jersey's more urban areas. Sandy Hook is in a prime location, to be near the larger metro cities, but far enough away to breathe in fresh ocean breeze. Situated in the northernmost tip of the Jersey Shore, and stretching up into Raritan Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Sandy Hook is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Sandy Hook is known as a key spot for bird watching, as hundreds of birds migrate to the region during the spring and fall. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, built in the 1700's, to guide mariners into New York Harbor, still stands and is a national historic landmark. From high atop the tower, views of Sandy Hook, the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor are unparallel.
Heading south along the shore, you will encounter several beach towns lined in a row, from Sea Bright and Long Branch down through Asbury Park, Ocean Grove and Avon-By-The-Sea. Each has a different vibe, but are all popular spots for summer getaways.
The Gateway National Recreation Area is one of the nation's first urban national parks and a pristine spot along the Jersey coastline. Over 26,000 acres long, The Gateway NRA actually extends through Staten Island and Jamaica Bay, New York and then into New Jersey. It offers year round nature activities from hiking, fishing, windsurfing and birding and is a gorgeous outdoor haven.
Sandy Hook and the Gateway National Recreation Area are located near the Atlantic Highlands region of New Jersey in the eastern central part of the state.
