Kids & Family

Annual 'Top Beach' Vote Begins

Contest is organized by New Jersey Sea Grant

Think your town's ocean beach has the softest sand, the most exquisite natural beauty or the coolest clientele?

The polls to New Jersey Sea Grant's annual online survey asking beachgoers where they most like to plant their chairs and blankets opened at 12 noon Tuesday.

The prize: prestige, of course. Everyone wants their town's beach to be declared the best.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The results of the 2012 New Jersey’s Top 10 Beaches Survey will be featured during the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium's annual State of the Shore Media Event on Thursday, May 24, just before the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer season.

But while this year's vote has been separated into specific categories – best beaches for a family vacation, a day trip or ecotourism – the contest often becomes a function of local (and tourist) pride in "their" beach.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Wildwoods took the top spot in last year's poll, followed by Long Beach Island, Ocean City, Sea Isle City and Cape May, respectively. In all, voters have 48 choices in the poll.

In a county-by-county vote, Asbury Park ranked as Monmouth County's best beach; Long Beach Island as Ocean County's best; Brigantine for Atlantic County's finest and The Wildwoods as tops in Cape May County.

To vote in the poll, visit the New Jersey's Ten Top Beaches website.


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