Ocean City Named New Jersey's Best Beach, Again

OCEAN CITY, NJ — With the Fourth of July on the horizon, those still on the fence about what to do have yet another reason to make Ocean City their holiday destination. America’s Greatest Family Resort has been named “New Jersey’s Favorite Beach” in a statewide poll. Yes, again.

For the fourth consecutive year, Ocean City was named “New Jersey’s Favorite Beach” in a statewide poll conducted by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. The results were announced Thursday morning during a presentation on the Music Pier.

“Congratulations to everybody in Ocean City for achieving this honor,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “The recognition is a testament to the hard work of the city team, City Council, the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Development Commission, the Boardwalk and Downtown Merchants associations, local businesses, all volunteer groups and the entire community in making Ocean City a superior place to live, work and play.”

The poll was introduced in 2008 to “inspire pride in and stewardship of New Jersey’s beaches while promoting a little healthy competition between New Jersey’s favorite beach towns.” This year’s voting ran from May 1-June 9. Those who vote do so online, and are only permitted to vote once.

The contest included the winners of the four coastal counties. Ocean City took first place, followed by Brigantine in Atlantic County. Sea Isle City finished second among Cape May County beaches.

Below are the full official results:

Overall Winners

1. Ocean City
2. Brigantine

Cape May County’s Favorite Beaches

1. Ocean City
2. Sea Isle City
3. Wildwood Crest
4. Cape May
5. Wildwood

Atlantic County’s Favorite Beaches

1. Brigantine
2. Margate
3. Atlantic City
4. Longport
5. Ventnor

Ocean County’s Favorite Beaches

1. Seaside Heights
2. Beach Haven
3. Point Pleasant Beach
4. Island Beach State Park
5. Ship Bottom

Monmouth County’s Favorite Beaches

1. Asbury Park
2. Spring Lake
3. Sandy Hook – Gateway National Recreation Area
4. Belmar
5. Ocean Grove

The announcement came on the eve of the Fourth of July holiday. Ocean City has plenty of events in store on Tuesday, July 4, itself, but there are also several events scheduled in the days leading up to the big holiday.

See related: 4th of July Fireworks Cap Independence Day Celebration In Ocean City

In addition to winning this contest last year, Ocean City won New Jersey Monthly's Shore Town Showdown; Coastal Living America’s inaugural Best Beach Bracket; “Best Beach” in the 2016 Philly.com Readers’ Choice Awards; and countless other contests recognizing the resort’s boardwalk, downtown, ecotourism, family destinations, women-owned businesses and more.

Attached image was provided: Ocean City mascot Martin Z. Mollusk, Business Administrator Jim Mallon and Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michele Gillian accept the award as New Jersey’s favorite beach.