Boating here is undeniably centered around the inland estuary of Barnegat Bay, a 42-mile-long watercourse with tidal shallows, deep inlets and seemingly endless placid waters. Visitors can be found sharing the real estate here with dolphins and terrapins as they bay-boat, fish, sail or rev up their water toys, while egrets, herons and gulls circle high overhead. Cast a line for striped bass or flounder, drop bait for the local specialty blue crab, or head out early in your runabout to catch the sunrise as it spreads its blazing rays across the surface of the bay. If you want to test your navigational skills in a more rugged setting then you can also access the ocean from here, with the Barnegat Inlet onto the Atlantic positioned just 12 miles due south, making Toms River a popular base for saltwater gamefishers, too.
Most marinas in this area line the Toms River waterway itself, with a range of welcoming, full-service facilities on both the north and south banks of the river. Perhaps the most popular venue here is the Sunset Cove Marina, a 40-slip destination that sits just steps away from the heart of the city, where local knowledge and a friendly atmosphere await. Further along the northern edge of the river there’s Toms River Yacht Club, Island Heights Yacht Club, Nelson Marine Basin and the Cozy Cove Marina, a blend of upscale and accessible facilities that added together offer up to 315 wet slips and a distinct range of amenities. Not far away from here you can also visit Toms River Marine and Motorsports Marina, a facility specializing in speedboats, water toys and high-octane watersports with craft rentals on the agenda.
Another option on the north bank of the river is Dillons Creek Marina, a 210-slip bolthole popular with day-boaters that is hidden on a winding inlet. On the south side of the river, you will discover the biggest marina in the vicinity, Lighthouse Point at Cedar Point, where 248 deep-water slips for vessels up to 75-feet in length, jet-ski rentals and the area’s most extensive facilities can be found. Shore Point Marina, meanwhile, sits a little closer to Barnegat Bay itself, and features 205 slips and up to 7 acres of dry storage space. Finally, in the northern edge of Toms River, there is Silver Bay North Marina, a 135-slip marina that is ideally positioned for boaters who wish to explore nearby salt marsh ecosystems like Cattus Island.
There’s around 22,505 registered boats in the wider Barnegat Bay region, making this one of New Jersey’s boating capitals. The most celebrated boat-builder near Toms River has to be Henriques Yachts, a family-owned brand that has been constructing high-end semi-custom sportfishers since 1977. Toms River is a regular pit-stop on the racing and regatta circuit, with contests like the Atlantic Coast Championship and the E Scow Eastern Championship frequently held here. Those looking to enjoy a more rustic experience on the water should make sure to visit town in late July to participate in the annual Wooden Boat Festival, a parade of vintage watercraft now into its fifth decade.
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