Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

[gemajean]

Hi all, boat's been running good now and I'm looking for some suggestions on nice places to dock, dine, hang out, picnic, sightsee, etc. around the NY/NJ area. I'm coming out of Far Rockaway/Coney Island and I'm only a few minutes from the Verrazano bridge that connects Brooklyn to Staten Island.

I'm thinking of heading over the the north shore of NJ around Sandy Hook. Anyone been there and know of any good places to dock and dine? Also, any other suggestions that are maybe an hour and change away?

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

That's the area I go out of. Although I like to fish when I'm out there so I havent been to all of the restaurants out there. There are a handful of restuarants and marina's in the Highlands which is towards the inlet to Sandy Hook Bay. (from the rivers) They all look pretty good and the couple I have been to were good (cant remember the names)

Also if you are in the bay you can beach on Spermacetti Cove which is fun for a walk around to stretch your legs. (pic below)

 

[gemajean]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

Thanks RWilson for your suggestions. Yes, I was looking into those areas and thanks for recommending the Highlands. Someone also suggested it at my marina, but he says he's never been there so I wasn't sure.

I would love to do what you've done at Spermacetti Cove but the truth is, I've never 'beached' before and would always be scared of damaging something underneath to the hull and drive. Is it hard to do?

I have a 26 Four Winns cruiser and forgive me, but I don't know a thing about beaching. Can you advise?

I imagine you pull the drive up and glide in slowly, then throw an anchor somewhere? Thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

dont worry about it its easy. Nice thing about that spot is that with my boat right there in the pic, the stern is still in about 4-5' of water. It drops off to about 12' just another few feet out. Thats why that spot is so popular. Although there are none there that day I have seen huge 30'-35' boats backed right up to the beach right there. Just make sure you are on the inside of the cove where its deep. If its full with boats that day you may try to beach around the outside but there you will have to worry about the tide leaving you high and dry.

Just nudge your boat right up (bring the motor up to be safe but its deep enough you wont have to bring it up too much.

 

[gemajean]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

dont worry about it its easy. Nice thing about that spot is that with my boat right there in the pic, the stern is still in about 4-5' of water. It drops off to about 12' just another few feet out. Thats why that spot is so popular. Although there are none there that day I have seen huge 30'-35' boats backed right up to the beach right there. Just make sure you are on the inside of the cove where its deep. If its full with boats that day you may try to beach around the outside but there you will have to worry about the tide leaving you high and dry.

Just nudge your boat right up (bring the motor up to be safe but its deep enough you wont have to bring it up too much.

I see. Sounds good and we'll definitely give that a try over there! Next time we're out there, I'll look for you and thank you in person!

Thanks again!

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

actually just read your post again....with a 26 footer, unless you have a bow ladder you'll have trouble getting off and on if you go in bow first....the right way to do it really is go in backwards and leave your boat just floating, that way you step off your stern into a foot or 2 of water and walk up on the beach. ( you can see in the pics the bigger boats are backed in).

Probably a good idea to carry a second smaller anchor to either through off the front to keep you from turning sideways....or some people use an anchor off of each side of the stern to keep the stern parallel with the beach. do a search on anchoring on the beach , I'm sure the technique has been talked about before.

I'll keep my eye out for a 26' Four Winns for sure!

 

[gemajean]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

actually just read your post again....with a 26 footer, unless you have a bow ladder you'll have trouble getting off and on if you go in bow first....the right way to do it really is go in backwards and leave your boat just floating, that way you step off your stern into a foot or 2 of water and walk up on the beach. ( you can see in the pics the bigger boats are backed in).

Probably a good idea to carry a second smaller anchor to either through off the front to keep you from turning sideways....or some people use an anchor off of each side of the stern to keep the stern parallel with the beach. do a search on anchoring on the beach , I'm sure the technique has been talked about before.

I'll keep my eye out for a 26' Four Winns for sure!

Great! Thanks again for the tip! Yeah, I can see the larger boats come in backwards. I'll give it a try and come in real slow

Thanks again!

 

[NYGiants]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

horseshoe cove is pretty cool
old abandoed ww2 fort too.
and you can go to atlantic highlands nj,
i boat in the raritan bay with a 33' sailboat and have covered the whole area

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

I'm bookmarking this thread, I'm new to boating and want to explore the raritan and sandy hook bay too, never been in the ocean though, only lk hopatcong or the Hudson.

 

[gemajean]

Re: Nice places to go in NY/NJ area?

Hello again. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I was able to make a few trips down to Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay but I didn't get a chance to get to the coves, spermicelli or horseshoe, but hope to next season.

What I did do was dock and dine at a very nice restaurant in the Highlands called Windansea. www.windansea.com

Normally, they allow you to dock and eat right there (great views) but when we went it was packed but it wasn't a problem as they had us anchor across the water and they sent a dinghy to pick us up. Very cool.

We also spent a day going to the Bayshore Waterfront park located at the Monmouth Cove marina but we were extremely disappointed as the beach was dirty, smelly and disgusting. We left and tried to head over to Keansburg to check out the amusement park. The only marina that was close by was called Raritan Bay marina and I'm sorry to say, but they weren't very friendly and didn't allow any transient dockage. Unfortunately, that was all we were able to do that day but would still love to hear any further suggestions on the area.

We may do something down in Point Pleasant, etc. but would need to plan that more throughly.

Thanks again.