OCEAN CITY – For the 13th consecutive year, beachgoers chose Ocean City as “New Jersey’s Favorite Beach” in a statewide poll.
Representatives of the N.J. Sea Grant Consortium announced the winners of the annual contest in a presentation on the Ocean City Music Pier on Wednesday morning, July 29.
The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium introduced the survey 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.”
The contest is decided by online voters who are prevented from voting more than once. The contest included winners for the four coastal counties, and Ocean City was the top beach in Cape May County, in addition to being overall winner. Complete results are as follows:
– Overall: 1) Ocean City, 2) Margate
– Monmouth County: 1) Asbury Park, 2) Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area
– Ocean County: 1) Island Beach State Park, 2) Point Pleasant Beach
– Atlantic County: 1) Margate, 2) Longport
– Cape May County: 1) Ocean City, 2) The Wildwoods
Ocean City in recent years has been named “Best Beach in America” and “Best Beach” in many other statewide polls. “America’s Greatest Family Resort” also has been recognized for its boardwalk, downtown, ecotourism, family destinations, women-owned businesses and more.
“It’s an honor to see this annual contest confirm what generations of families already know: Ocean City is the best,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “I want to thank everyone who works so hard to make Ocean City the special place that it is, including the entire city team, our public safety departments, 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.”
At top, N.J. Sea Grant Consortium Executive Director Pete Rowe, Junior Miss Ocean City Arianna Di Antonio, Miss Ocean City Antonella DiAntonio, Little Miss Ocean City Harper Juelg, Mayor Jay Gillian, and Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce President Patrick McMahon celebrate Ocean City’s recognition as New Jersey’s Favorite Beach for 2026.