Gunnison Beach

For the more daring be sure to visit the ever popular Gunnison Beach which is the only legal clothing optional or "nude beach" on the Mid-Atlantic. Folks-young and old, skinny and used-to-be-skinny, families, singles, and a lot of couples come from all over the country to enjoy their beach experience "au natural". Safe and secure with lifeguards, the sand has built up over the years so be ready for a trek until you hit water. It's well worth the effort. There's a small hot dog & beer kiosk near the center near the volleyball net serving refreshments at a reasonable price. So since there is no reason to leave, most people spend the whole day. In the middle of the summer months Sandy Hook will fill up so quickly on the weekend that they close it down to car traffic around 11AM - then reopen around 2 PM.

Gunnison by far gets the most visitors, but that takes nothing away from the other 6 along the ocean side such as the North Beach with the backdrop of the NYC skyline in the distance, or the Seagull's Nest beach right in the center of Sandy Hook offering lunch cocktails and live music.

On the opposite side of Sandy Hook is the bay that becomes the Navesink River - a favorite spot for Windsurfing, Kayaking, Sail boating and Fishing. It is quite a site to see the bay filled with sailboats and wind surfers gliding effortlessly across the smooth bay with the sun setting over the Highland hills in late afternoon.

The best way to get around SH is on bikes along the just completed 6 miles ea. way of paved bike paths through the 7 beaches of Sandy Hook. Explore the holly forest which is unsurpassed on the eastern seaboard. As an Eco tourism destination Sandy Hook provides a unique and natural environment for hikers, bikers and bird watchers. It is a delight in any season, but the the spring and summer offers a rare opportunity to see the endangered osprey nesting here.

If you like Cape Cod or the Outer Banks of NC, you'll feel right at home on Sandy Hook.