Island Beach State Park

[grouchyturtle]

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html#pic
Anyone ever diver there? Sounds like it may be a cool spot to plan a BIG NJ shore dive, but don't know what the diving is like there

 

[teamheatwave]

I sent an email over to the park asking what the depths, temperatures, currents, facilities, etc are like. I will post something if I get an answer.

 

[teamheatwave]

I got a reply from Michele Stelle Park who said they have no information about scuba diving there, no idea of what the depths, currents, water temperatures, facilities, nor known hazards are. She went on to advise me to contact the Barnegat Lighthouse Park who should have that info. I called the contact number At Barnegat Lighthouse Park and the Ranger probably thought I was smoking dope. He said there is absolutely no scuba diving allowed at the Barnegat Lighthouse Park (which I knew) and that why would they have that information on an activity inside another park's jurisdiction? New Jersey Government at it's finest! I explained who gave me the number and that I was only following the lead I was given. Although he was professional and polite you could read between the lines and recognize the frustration of why would she even suggest you call us? So it looks like we hit a dead end.

 

[jagfish]

I used to live up in that area. I can't imagine any of the shore diving in NJ to be that good, but I never dove. Are there any particularly good spots with shore access?

JAG

 

[hogluvr]

Sandy Hook, (Horseshoe Cove)?

 

[Lat. Adjustment]

I seem to remember something in the NJ beach diver book about a wreck inshore off IBSP but I'm a member of a few beach diving groups and have never heard of anyone doing it. Typical conditions for that area would be a north current, 5-15' vis and depth runs about 20', anything shallower would have been buried or broken up. Last year most of the beach dives north of there were buried by beach projects, in a month or two we will have checked to see if winter storms have uncovered them, stay tuned.

 

[ScottyK]

Lat Adjustment- Yes, keep us posted, and let us know if you need some company for a few reconnaisance dives to see how things are.

 

[grouchyturtle]

teamheatwave - how NJ of those morons!!!

hogluvr - can you camp there, are there any kind of facilities?

The reason I was looking at this spot is
1- open fires are allowed
2- trails and oher things to do besides dive
2- tons of bars for the post dive party
3- the boardwalk for anyone with kids

Everyone - I'm up for any reconnaisance dives too!

 

[Lat. Adjustment]

Re: 3, No board walks on Island Beach State Park other than those going between the dunes to the beach but up the road a piece is Seaside with boardwalks and bars.

 

[jagfish]

Seaside is not so far from the Park though, by car anyway...I've ridden my bicycle between the two...in younger years ayway.

JAG