Originally a seashore retreat for the Leni Lenape tribe of Native Americans, the area was discovered by Henry Hudson and his crew September 2, 1609 while they were on their way north to explore the Hudson River.
Settlers arrived in the 1700’s, and summer tourism began in the early 1800’s when Thomas Cook, Jr. opened his farm to guests.
In the 1870’s Captain John Arnold left the sea and bought land on the island, and he built a roadway to the ocean now named Arnold Avenue. He also constructed the first bridge over the Manasquan Inlet. The Borough of Point Pleasant Beach was established June 2, 1886, and the first boardwalk was built in 1890. In 1892 it was washed away by a storm, and the first permanent boardwalk was built in 1915 and eventually expanded to run the entire length of Point Pleasant Beach.
However, nature wasn’t done with it, and the hurricane of 1938 shortened the boardwalk to its present length. The town owns the boardwalk, but the beach is owned by various entities, and the largest slice is owned by the owners of Jenkinson’s Beach, who also operate the majority of the boardwalk businesses. That’s why it’s referred to as Jenkinson’s Beach.
Today, Point Pleasant Beach is a family-oriented community with children’s beach shows during the summer season on Monday nights, family games on Tuesday nights, and Radio Disney Concerts on Wednesday evenings. On Sunday night folks enjoy family movies on the beach.
Entertainment and dining facilities comprise about a third of the boardwalk’s length, which includes a food court, sushi bar and full-service restaurant in Jenkinson’s Pavilion. Visitors will also discover Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Jenk’s Nightclub, various arcades, miniature golf courses and an amusement park.
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach contains an active business district, shopping, dining, antique shops and more, and the boardwalk has a first class aquarium and many other activities. The own also has a famous Seafood Festival annually during September.
You can get more information on Point Pleasant Beach by calling 732-892-0600, or going online to www.pointpleasantbeach.com
Beach Information:
Jenkinson’s Beach Fees: A private beach open to the public. 732-892-0600
Seasonal: Adults 12 and over $80.00
Half-Season: $50.00
Children (with adult) : 5 to 11 full season: $45.00
(with adult) half season: $35.00
Children (with adult) under 5: Free
Seniors: $55.00
Daily Rates: Weekdays Weekends
Under 5 Free Free
5-11 $2.00 $2.00
Adults 12- up $6.00 $7.00
Seasonal rates include beach and bathhouse facilities.
Inlet Bathhouse and Pavilion Bathhouse: Adults - $4.00; Children - $3.00
Beach Tag Purchase Sites:
Seasonal: 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant, NJ
Daily: At beach access points
Lifeguard hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week during season.
Parking:
Municipal Lot: Arnold and Ocean Avenues.
On-street
Also at Jenkinson’s lots, Manasquan River Inlet, Aquarium Parking Lot,
Frank’s Fun Center and Jenkinson’s South Arcade.
Guarded Bathing Beaches: Jenkinson’s Pavilion Beach and Jenkinson’s Inlet beach.
Surfing Beach: None.
Fishing Beach: None.
Boat Launch: None.
Vehicle Access (to beach): None.
Public Restrooms: None.
Handicap Access: Inlet Beach and Pavilion Beach.
Maryland Avenue – Municipal beach: (732-892-0600)
Beach tags:
Seasonal: $75.00
Pre-season purchase: $50.00
Daily (weekdays) : $6.00
Weekends: $7.00
Children (under 12) : Free
Beach Tag Purchase: At beach access points.
Guarded Bathing Beach: Maryland Avenue.
Lifeguards on duty: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Parking: On street: metered and non-metered.
Marinas:
Clark’s Landing
847 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
732-899-5559
Garden State Marina
101 Route 35 South, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
732-892-4222
Point Pleasant Beach Important Telephone Numbers:
Point Pleasant Beach Borough Administrator: 732-892-8770
Police/Fire/Medical Emergency: 911
Point Pleasant Beach Police
416 New jersey Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Non-emergency: 732-892-0500
Ocean Fire Company # 1
400 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Non-emergency: 732-892-0500
Ocean Fire Company # 2
Laurel Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Non-emergency: 732-892-0500
Point Pleasant Beach First Aid & Emergency Squad
Laurel Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Non-emergency: 732-892-0500
U.S. Coast Guard 732-899-0130
Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Point Pleasant Beach Houses of Worship:
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
701 Forman Avenue (Bay & Forman Avenues)
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
732-899-0587
www.pointpresbyterian.org
St. Peter’s Church (Catholic)
406 Forman Avenue
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
732-892-0049
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
301 River Avenue
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
732-899-3735
St. Mary’s By-The-Sea (Episcopal)
Bay & Atlantic Avenues
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
732-892-9254
Central United Methodist Church
729 Arnold Avenue
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
732-892-3233
First Baptist Church
708 McLean Avenue
Point Pleasant beach, NJ 08742
732-898-4648
First Assembly of God Church
3118 Bridge Avenue
Point Pleasant Boro, NJ 08742
732-295-9191
