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February 21, 2026

Ocean City is ‘Favorite Beach’ yet again

Sea Isle ranked 2nd in statewide polling

OCEAN CITY – For the 10th 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 Friday morning.

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. Sea Isle City was second in Cape May County and second overall.

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 great to see Ocean City achieve this honor,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “Every year, we face new challenges. But Ocean City remains the best beach in the state and a tradition for generations of families. I want to congratulate and thank the 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 in making Ocean City a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

“To come in second place out of nearly 130 miles of coastal communities is quite a feat – and I want to thank the Sea Grant Consortium and all of the people who voted for Sea Isle City,” said Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio following the award ceremony.

 “As mayor, it was a great honor to be in attendance, when Sea Isle City was called to receive this prestigious award, and I’m very proud that Sea Isle placed second statewide.  All of our property owners and visitors should also be very proud of this award – and proud of our community.”

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