Jersey Shore Beach Report: Farewell, Summer 2026

It's been a challenging summer with rain disrupting weekend plans regularly. But we close out the season on a later-than-usual Labor Day weekend with what looks to be plenty of sunshine.

The National Weather Service is calling for decent weather and enough sunshine to warrant a warning about slathering on the sunscreen for the final official weekend of summer. You may want a jacket or a hoodie because some of the days may feel a bit chilly.

Here is a look from Patch at the beach forecast, including the latest on rip currents and jellyfish sightings and when the high tides might interfere with your spot on the beach.

THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind around 5 mph. There could be showers or thunderstorms into the evening but those chances are slim as well. Mostly cloudy with a low around 70. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.

Saturday: Sunny with a high near 77. North wind around 10 mph during the day. Some clouds at night with a low around 66. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Sunny with a high near 71. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Mostly clear overnight with a low around 64.

Labor Day: Sunshine will finish out Labor Day weekend. The high will be about 73 degrees.

RIP CURRENTS: There is a low risk of rip currents but low isn't zero. With schools opening early across New Jersey and Labor Day so late, lifeguard staffing has been affected and some beaches be unguarded. Officials remind that people should only go in the ocean where there are lifeguards present. Do not swim after hours.

Read up on what to look for to identify rip currents: Rip Currents In NJ: What To Look For, How To Survive Them

JELLYFISH: Jellyfish have caused some issues in the last few weeks, in particular mauve jellies, with multiple people reporting having been stung last weekend. Those jellyfish and others could remain for the holiday weekend, warnings in the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group noted.

Just a reminder to bring white vinegar and calamine lotion to treat jellyfish stings. Paul Bologna, the jellyfish expert and director of the marine biology program at Montclair State University, gives these instructions: Apply white vinegar immediately. This stops any stinging cells that have not fired in the tentacles. Rinse the sting area with the salt water you are in to wash away tentacles. "Do not use bottled water to rinse as osmotic shock will cause stinging cells left behind to fire and continue to sting," he says. Wipe the area clean with a clean towel or cloth. Benadryl or calamine lotion can help with itching, and over-the-counter pain medicines can be used for pain from the stings depending on the severity.

SURF FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Mid-70s
Sunrise: 6:25 a.m.
Sunset: 7:24 p.m.

Saturday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Mid-70s
Sunrise: 6:26 a.m.
Sunset: 7:23 p.m.

Sunday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Mid-70s
Sunrise: 6:27 a.m.
Sunset: 7:21 p.m.

Labor Day

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1-2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Mid-70s
Sunrise: 6:28 a.m.
Sunset: 7:19 p.m.

TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions

Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)

• Friday: Low 7:32 a.m., High 2:03 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:50 a.m., High 3:07 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 10:06 a.m., High 4:17 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 11:12 a.m., High 5:26 p.m.

Long Branch Fishing Pier

• Friday: Low 6:56 a.m., High 1:37 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:14 a.m., High 2:41 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:30 a.m., High 3:51 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 10:36 a.m., High 5 p.m.

Belmar

• Friday: Low 6:47 a.m., High 1:28 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:05 a.m., High 2:32 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:21 a.m., High 3:42 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 10:27 a.m., High 4:51 p.m.

Manasquan Inlet/Point Pleasant Beach

• Friday: Low 7:08 a.m., High 1:51 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:26 a.m., High 2:55 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:42 a.m., High 4:05 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 10:48 a.m., High 5:14 p.m.

Seaside Heights

• Friday: Low 7 a.m., High 1:33 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:18 a.m., High 2:37 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:34 a.m., High 3:47 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 10:40 a.m., High 4:56 p.m.

Barnegat Inlet

• Friday: Low 7:32 a.m., High 1:54 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:45 a.m., High 3:03 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:57 a.m., High 4:14 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 11:02 a.m., High 5:17 p.m.

Atlantic City (Ocean)

• Friday: Low 7:06 a.m., High 1:38 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:13 a.m., High 2:52 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:27 a.m., High 4:07 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 10:38 a.m., High 5:11 p.m.

Longport/Ocean City

• Friday: Low 7:38 a.m., High 2:16 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:49 a.m., High 3:28 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 10:02 a.m., High 4:37 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 11:11 a.m., High 5:40 p.m.

Strathmere

• Friday: Low 7:44 a.m., High 2:09 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:51 a.m., High 3:23 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 10:05 a.m., High 4:38 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 11:16 a.m., High 5:42 p.m.

Wildwood Crest

• Friday: Low 7:15 a.m., High 1:49 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 8:22 a.m., High 3:05 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 9:34 a.m., High 4:21 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 10:45 a.m., High 5:26 p.m.

Cape May Point, Atlantic Ocean

• Friday: Low 8:07 a.m., High 2:48 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 9:10 a.m., High 4 p.m.
• Sunday: Low 10:18 a.m., High 5:14 p.m.
• Labor Day: Low 11:27 a.m., High 6:18 p.m.