Beaches
Surfing is permitted at three Atlantic City Beaches: Crystal Beach, Delaware Beach and Downtown Beach. Kayaking and windsurfing are permitted at Jackson Ave. Beach, which is a no-lifeguard, non-bathing beach dedicated solely to these sports. Beach volleyball nets are scattered around the greater Atlantic City Beach in front of various hotels. Beaches are free, unlike those of many other beach destinations that line the Jersey Shore.
Fishing
Whether you choose a chartered deep sea adventure or some relaxing casts off the jetty, Atlantic City is an excellent fishing destination. Charter services like Atlantic City Fishing and Dive Center offer customizable fishing boat trips for such fish as seabass, bluefish, cod and shark. If your stomach or wallet aren't up to the high seas, you can fish off the jetties along the Oriental and Maine Avenue Boardwalk and on the inlet off the Boardwalk. No license is required for saltwater fishing from these jetties.
Atlantic City Fishing and Dive Center
455 N. Maryland Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 344-FISH
www.missac.com
Bicycling
One great way to enjoy the cool ocean views and breeze is by bicycling on the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk. While the traffic of the midday and evening renders bicycling off-limits throughout much of the day, you can enjoy a morning ride between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Bicycle rentals are available at B&K Bicycle Rentals, which has two locations in Atlantic City. Hint: You're on the East Coast, so find out the time of the sunrise and watch it come up over the ocean while you enjoy an invigorating boost to your day. For other bicycling opportunities, you can take advantage of the trails and paths of the Atlantic County Park System, which include the 7.56-mile Atlantic County Bikeway stretching from Egg Harbor to Hamilton.
B&K Bicycle Rentals
1743 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401-6810
(609) 344-8008
Parks and Forests
If you're more of a dry land traveler, the area offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Hike or mountain bike the 20 miles of trails in Estelle Manor Park, one of 13 parks operated by the Atlantic County Park System. Atlantic County's other parks and recreation areas including the Absecon Wildlife Management Area, a great destination for bird watchers, and Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, a 20,000-acre refuge that offers nature viewing, hiking and bicycling. If you want to venture out of the city a little farther, you can access some of New Jersey's state forests and parks, including Bass River State Forest in Tuckerton, New Jersey (about 25 miles north of Atlantic City), where you'll enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, boating and picnicking. Other daytrip options include Wharton State Forest, which straddles the counties of Atlantic, Camden and Burlington.
Estell Manor Park
109 State Highway 50
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
(609) 625-1897
Bass River State Forest
762 Stage Rd
Tuckerton, NJ 08087
(609) 296-1114
www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/bass.html
