During your vacation in Belmar, New Jersey, you'll find a wide range of activities and events for family members of all ages to enjoy. Here are some of the fun things to do in Belmar when you're looking to spend quality time together:
Mini golf Parasailing Whale watching Head boat and charter fishing Sunset cruise Ice cream outing NJ Sandcastle Contest Movies on the beach
1. 18 Holes Of Mini Golf
905 Highway 35 at the Belmar Marina
Belmar, New Jersey
732-749-3800
No Jersey Shore vacation is complete without a game or two of miniature golf. The 9th Ave. Pier restaurant operates the mini golf course at the Belmar Marina. Play every day (weather permitting) from noon to 10 p.m.
Prices are $7.00. per person, or $5.00 for kids under age 10. After your game, head over to 9th Ave. Pier or to the Marina Grille for a bite to eat in a gorgeous waterfront setting. RELATED: Mini Golf With A Water View - 3 Scenic Spots
RELATED: Dining With A Water View In Belmar
2. Family Fishing Trip
Belmar Marina
905 Highway 35 Belmar, New Jersey
732-681-2266
When the kids tire of the beach (is that even possible?), family fishing trips are a fun change of pace during your summer vacation in Belmar. The Belmar Marina is home to one of New Jersey's largest fleet of fishing head boats (party boats) and private fishing charters. In addition to half- and full-day fishing outings, some boats also offer sunset cruises. Each boat is independently owned and operated, so contact each vessel directly for pricing and ticket information (link below). RELATED: Best Fishing Party Boats And Charters At The Belmar Marina
3. Belmar Whale Watching Tours
Set sail aboard the Miss Belmar Princess or the Royal Miss Belmar for a Jersey Shore Whale Watching Tour. The tour is guided by a marine life specialist from Rutgers University, who shares her extensive knowledge of humpback whales and other creatures that inhabit the sea. In addition to humpback whales, it's common to see dolphins, stingrays and even some sharks during the excursion.
For the 2023 season, you may book either a two-hour or a three-hour whale-watching tour. Prices are as follows:
Miss Belmar Princess Two-Hour Whale Tour
Adults (Ages 13-61): $50.00
Seniors (Ages 62+): $45.00 Children (Up to age 12): $35.00
Royal Miss Belmar
Three-Hour Whale Tour
Adults (Ages 13 and over): $65.00
Children (Up to age 12): $45.00 (No senior rate) Both boats sail from the Belmar Marina, 905 Route 35, Belmar, New Jersey 07719. Guests are asked to arrive at the boat at least 30 minutes before departure time. Bring your own food and beverages. Gift certificates are also available for purchase.
Call 732-681-6866 for more information or visit the Miss Belmar Princess website to book online.
4. Parasailing Adventures And Banana Boat Rides
Belmar Parasail 608 River Road (parking area) Belmar, New Jersey
732-681-8359 www.belmarparasail.com
You'll never forget your first parasailing adventure 500 feet above the Atlantic Ocean! Parasailing is a fun family activity that does not require any previous experience or special equipment. You take off and land gently on the boat. Current prices are $80.00. per person, $72.00 for college students with valid school ID (ages 18-23 only), and $72.00 for active-duty military with valid military ID. Observers on the boat are $40.00 per person, subject to availability. Each parasailing excursion is 1.5 hours. Also try their banana boat rides for a fun spin around the ocean waves. Belmar Parasail is located on the L Dock at Belmar Marina in ParkMobile Zone 58104. RELATED: 7 Ways To Enjoy The Water In Belmar
5. Sunset Cruise
We’ve seen some amazing sunsets out at sea, facing the Jersey coastline from a boat a few miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. The Ocean Explorer and Golden Eagle are two locally operated commercial fishing boats at the Belmar Marina that offer sunset fishing charters.
6. Ice Cream Outing
One of our favorite ice cream shops, Niki Maccanico's, is a five-minute walk from our beach house rental in Belmar. All of the ice cream at Niki's is homemade and hand-scooped. You'll find Niki's on 13th Avenue and Main Street, across from the Belmar Post Office. Mint chocolate chip is a personal favorite, along with the chocolate peanut butter swirl. Another popular sweet spot in Belmar is Coney Waffle, located at 803 Ocean Avenue, across from the beach (next to Playa Bowls). Coney Waffle is known for its cannoli waffles and its ,belly-busting ice cream concoctions, including custom milk shakes and towering waffle cones overflowing with your choice of candy and cookie toppings. In March 2022, Coney Waffle expanded into downtown Belmar with its new Coney Waffle Ice Cream Cakery. The shop sells giant cookies, creamy fudge, and other sweets. Also within walking distance of our beach house rental is Rudy's On Main, where you'll find all-natural Italian ice and crème ice, along with gourmet fudge, churros, giant soft pretzels, and more. In nearby Spring Lake, the vanilla ice cream at Hoffman's Ice Cream is a family favorite, in addition to the all-vanilla saucers with rainbow jimmies.
RELATED: Favorite Fudge Shops RELATED: Playa Bowls - Two Locations On The Belmar Beachfront
7. New Jersey Sandcastle Contest
July 14, 2023 18th Avenue beach
Belmar, New Jersey
The annual New Jersey Sandcastle Contest is a wonderful family-friendly event. It draws thousands of competitors and spectators to Belmar's 18th Avenue beach to compete for top honors in several judging categories for kids, adults, and camps/youth groups. Read more about this year's event. RELATED: Events In Belmar, New Jersey
8. Movies On Belmar Beach
July 5 through August 30, 2023
7th Avenue Beach
Bring your beach chairs to 7th Avenue beach for free movie night in Belmar, New Jersey, starting Thursday, July 5, 2023. Movies start at dusk, but it's best to get there earlier to get a good spot in the front of the big screen on the sand.
Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House
Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com.
Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog, a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.
