What to Do
ECOTOURISM
Bring your binoculars and your camera to enjoy Ocean City’s beautiful natural vistas and the wildlife that also love this beautiful barrier island. Seize the opportunity to experience why the New Jersey coastal region is a popular destination for wildlife viewing. As a stop along the Atlantic Flyway, Ocean City’s birding sites offer spectacular views of dozens of resident and migrating species including shore birds, wading birds, and waterfowl. Marine mammals such as dolphin, seals, otters, and whales can be observed from beach areas. Protected species such as the osprey, piping plover, black skimmer, least tern, and northern diamondback terrapin can be found nesting in our beach and marsh habitats.
Ocean City has several locations especially suitable for wildlife viewing: Corson’s Inlet State Park, Howard Stainton Wildlife Refuge, Cape May Coastal Wetlands Wildlife Management Area, and, of course, 7 miles of beautiful beaches. Ocean City’s open water Peck Bay, Great Egg Harbor Bay, and adjacent saltmarsh habitat environment supports a variety of plant and animal life. Ocean City is located within the world famous birding region of the Cape May peninsula, between Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and Cape May Point.
Corson’s Inlet State Park
Cape May Coastal Wetlands Wildlife Management Area
Corson’s Inlet State Park, Strathmere Natural Area, and the Cape May Coastal Wetlands Wildlife Management Area, are located at the south end of the island, and are managed by NJDEP. Corson’s Inlet State Park encompasses both beachfront and inlet access, with a parking lot and boat launch off of Ocean Drive by the Rush Chattin Bridge. The Strathmere Natural Area is an area of undeveloped beachfront and undisturbed sand dunes. The Cape May Coastal Wetlands Wildlife Management Area is passively managed and contains ecologically sensitive tidal salt meadows and marshes, interspersed with shallow coves and bays. These areas are important for their breeding populations of osprey, American oystercatcher, least tern, black skimmer and peregrine falcon. This estuary complex provides seasonal or year-round habitat for marine and freshwater fish and shellfish, nesting and migratory waterbirds and raptors, migratory and wintering waterfowl, and rare brackish and freshwater tidal communities and plants.
Birding, boating, sun bathing, photography, hiking, and biking are seasonal activities available here. Guided beach walks occur twice each week during the months of July and August. Migrations of dolphins, ducks, geese, and monarch butterflies also pass through this area every year.
Corson’s Inlet State Park is a destination on the NJ Coastal Heritage Trail. Further information about the Trail’s route can be found at:
http://www.nps.gov/neje/planyourvisit/abseconandcapemayregiondestinations.htm
Bayside Center
Located at 520 Bay Avenue, The Bayside Center is an activities and education facility dedicated to the environmental and cultural aspects of Ocean City’s bayfront. Along with great views of the bay, the multi-use building houses environmental displays, a lifeguard museum, a collection of ship models constructed by Stephen Hutsko, a collection of to-scale models of historic Ocean City buildings created by former local resident Al Burch, and several meeting spaces. The grounds host summer environmental camps and free summer evening nature programs. The docks allow bay access to the public on a year-round basis for fishing and crabbing. Kayakers may use the slips to launch or dock on a short-term basis. Be sure to stop in to observe nesting osprey on the new OspreyCam, installed in conjunction with the Wetlands Institute.To contact the Bayside Center please call 609-525-9244 (summer) or 609-525-9301 (winter).
Ocean City Beachwalk
Join our naturalist guides as they lead walks in July and August along our beautiful beaches. Explore the southern and northern ends of our island while learning about the plant and animal life of the Atlantic coast.
South End Location
59 th Street & Central Avenue
(Entrance to Corson’s Inlet State Park)
Tuesday 9:00 AM
Wednesday 6:30 PM
North End Location
Ocean City / Longport Bridge
Parking Lot ( Gardens Parkway)
Tuesday 6:30 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM
Tickets may be purchased on-site. Adults $1.00 Children $.50.
Howard Stainton Wildlife Refuge
Howard S. Stainton Wildlife Refuge is located on Bay Avenue between 23 rd and 30 th Streets. The acreage of this property is about 16 acres. This refuge supports waterfowl and marshland birds that can be easily observed from the viewing platform. Daytime parking for personal vehicles can be found at the Ocean City Airport at 26 th and Bay Avenue.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a terrific way to explore the natural areas of Ocean City that may not be accessible by land. Always be sure to follow these safety rules:
- • Lifejackets should be worn at all times.
- • Always carry drinking water and sunscreen.
- • Some areas may be unnavigable due to changes in tides and wind. Always check a tide chart, and don’t paddle into shallow areas when the tide is going out.
- • Beware of strong currents, especially near inlets.
- • Be aware of power boat traffic, especially near boat ramps and in the Intercoastal Waterway. In high traffic areas, stay out of the center of the channel, and try to stay close to other paddlers for maximum visibility.
- • Do not disturb or feed wildlife. Maintain a respectful distance from nesting birds.
- • Many marsh creeks are dead ends. Be sure to leave room to turn around.
- • Keep an eye on landmarks. It’s easy to get lost in the twisting backbay creeks, so use references like watertowers and bridges to help you find your way.
- • Give a float plan to someone on shore. They should know where you’re going and what time you expect to return.
Safety Checklist courtesy of The Wetlands Institute’s Jersey Island Blueway Map
Ocean City launching areas: Tennessee Avenue Municipal Ramp off of Bay Ave, 34 th St, Municipal Ramp underneath bridge, 51 st St Railroad Bridge at end of dirt road, Corson’s Inlet St Park Ramp in state park next to bridge.
The New Jersey Island Blueway map provides a comprehensive guide to Cape May County's back bays, marshes, creeks and channels. The map covers Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Corson's Inlet, Townsend's Inlet, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Hereford Inlet, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Cape May. The map also has symbols that designate points of interest, areas of heavy boat traffic, launching ramps and safety tips. Maps are on sale for $2 each at Bay Cats in Ocean City.
Kayak Rentals and Nature Tours
Bay Cats
316 Bay Avenue
Ocean City , NJ
(609) 391-7960
Ocean City Water Sports109 34th St
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 391-8700
The Wetlands Institute
1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard , Stone Harbor, 609-368-1211. www. wetlandsinstitute.org
The Wetlands Institute is partnering with Ocean City to provide enhanced environmental programming and displays at the Bayside Center. Since 1969, The Wetlands Institute has been teaching visitors about coastal ecosystems. The kids will get a kick out of the Terrapin Station, which shows why there are "turtle-crossing" signs all along the causeway into Stone Harbor, and why The Wetlands Institute works to save these creatures that are so important to the wetlands. Everyone will enjoy bird-watching from the observation tower. It's one of the best spots around to watch the species that touch down at the Shore during the summer.
Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area
The Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area is just north of the Ocean City – Longport Bridge and provides a great area for fishing, hiking, or walking a dog. The area was recently restored to its natural state with the planting of marsh grasses, bayberry and birch, juniper and oak trees. The scrubs and trees provide a natural barrier to protect coastal birds and to attract songbirds to the park. The fishing pier is a popular spot to catch tautog, bluefish and kingfish.