Jersey Shore Beach Report: Bountiful Sunshine For A Change

This is shaping up to be one of the nicest weekends, weather-wise, for a trip to the Jersey Shore beaches.

For the first time in weeks, there's no rain in the forecast.

Subscribe

For those who frequent Island Beach State Park, state officials made a pair of announcements related to Tices Shoal, the area popular as a hangout for boaters on the bayside of the park. Parking areas 6, 7 and 8 near Fisherman's Walkway will be closed to all vehicles Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, state officials warned that the park is not a drop-off spot for Tices Shoal.

"Do not expect to be dropped off from IBSP as floats are not allowed in the park," officials said.

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

Need beach badges? 2026 Jersey Shore Beach Badge Guide: See Season Passes, Price Changes

THE FORECAST
From the National Weather Service

Friday: Mostly sunny with a high temperature near 78. East wind around 10 mph. Overnight mostly cloudy with a low around 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: More sunshine and a high near 77 degrees, with an east wind around 15 mph. At night partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Sunny and a high near 79 degrees. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Mostly clear skies overnight with a low around 69 degrees.

Monday-Thursday: Sunny days sandwich possible rain midweek again. High temperatures in the low 80s with a 60 percent chance of showers on Tuesday, and a 30 percent chance on Wednesday before sunshine returns Thursday.

RIP CURRENTS: There is a moderate risk of rip currents this weekend. Don't risk danger; only swim 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: The back bays and lagoons are exploding with sea nettles, according to posts in the New Jersey Jellyspotters Facebook group. There have been a few clinging jellyfish reported as well, and people are warned to be careful about wading in areas with a lot of aquatic vegetation, where clinging jellyfish live.

Just in case, bring some white vinegar and some calamine lotion to treat jellyfish stings. Paul Bologna, the jellyfish expert and director of the marine biology program at Montclair State University, offers these tips: 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: Moderate
Surf Height: Around 2 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 5:45 a.m.
Sunset: 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2-3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 5:46 a.m.
Sunset: 8:19 p.m.

Sunday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2-3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Very high
Water Temperature: Low 70s
Sunrise: 5:47 a.m.
Sunset: 8:18 p.m.

TIDES
From NOAA Tide Predictions

Sandy Hook (at Fort Hancock)

• Friday: Low 10:38 a.m., High 4:55 p.m.
• Saturday: High 5:22 a.m., Low 11:27 a.m., High 5:48 p.m.
• Sunday: High 6:18 a.m., Low 12:14 p.m., High 6:37 p.m.

Long Branch Fishing Pier

• Friday: Low 10:02 a.m., High 4:29 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 10:51 a.m., High 5:22 p.m.
• Sunday: High 5:52 a.m., Low 11:38 a.m., High 6:11 p.m.

Belmar

• Friday: Low 9:53 a.m., High 4:20 p.m.
• Saturday: Low 10:42 a.m., High 5:13 p.m.
• Sunday: High 5:43 a.m., Low 11:29 a.m., High 6:02 p.m.