Stone Harbor

Stone Harbor is part of a small island off the coast of Cape May County, New Jersey. Stone Harbor spans only three miles of the seven-mile island. It is well known for its clean beaches and small town charm.

Get around

As Stone Harbor is quite small, there is always the option of walking to get anywhere. The beach is only a few blocks away for everyone or just outside the door. There are bike paths through Stone Harbor and Avalon on second avenue that is ideal for runners or bikers at all hours. During the summer, a trolley runs everyday from the beginning to the end of the island and on certain occasions it goes to Sea Isle City. Finding parking spaces during the summer months can be quite difficult, especially on holiday weekends containing Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

See

Stone Harbor has a number of great sights, the obvious being the beach. Stone Harbor's beaches are immaculate and its dunes greatly cared for. The end of the island's beaches on 122nd Street is known as "the Point", where a number of endangered species thrive. It has a beautiful view of the oceans and the bay merging. The bays are a great area to view nature in the wetlands that can only be truly appreciated by boat. There is a bird sanctuary stretching for eight blocks between third and second avenue.

• Cape May County Zoo, 707 North Route 9, Cape May Court House (5 miles NW along Stone Harbor Blvd, and right on State Route 9), ☏ +1 609-465-5271. Daily 10AM-3:30PM. Free. (updated Jan 2023)

Do

• Beaches During the summer months starting Memorial Day weekend, there are lifeguards on every beach from 10AM - 5PM. After 5PM, any activity in the water is considered at the risk of the swimmer. Beaches range every other one to a swimming or a boogie boarding and rafting beach. Dogs are not permitted on the beach between the hours of 10AM and 5PM. Beach tags can be bought on 95th Street or by the beach taggers that sit and walk on the beaches.

• Surfing Surfing beaches are also watched by life guards between 10AM and 5PM They are located on 81st Street & 110th Street.

• Bicycles Bikes are a great way to get around town, and are easier than ever with the insertion of the bike paths. The Bike Shop on 98th Street and 3rd Ave sells and rents bikes and cerries by the hour and day.

• Parasailing There is no parasail company on the island but there are some just to the north and south. Try Hang Loose Parasail in Wildwood. Call +1 609 522-WILD.

• Jet skiing and kayaking Jet Skis, kayaks, and other swim gear can be rented at Island Water Sports on 97th Street and 3rd Avenue.

• Water skiing, tubing and wakeboarding Island Water Sports provides all of these services. You can schedule a group or join one to do these activities any sunny day.

• Crabbing and fishing No license is required. Ask the lifeguards if it is alright before you try to fish off of the beach. There are public boat ramps located at 80th St Marina the cost is $6 day, $75 seasonal. The is a fishing pier at 83rd & Bay. Many people fish off of the 96th Street Bridge heading into Stone Harbor.

• Play tennis There are tennis courts at 97th Street & 82nd Street. Lessons can be arranged by the Rec on 80th Street, which also provides Racquet Ball courts.

Buy

Stone Harbor's main line of shops runs along 96th Street between 3rd and 2nd Avenue. There are a number of boutiques and fun shops to check out, as well as art gallerys and boutiques. Some of Stone Harbor's shops include Hoy's 5 & 10, The Free Shop, Pete Smith's Surf Shop, the Glass Gallery, the Fudge Kitchen, and Suncatcher. All stores have seasonal hours; in the summer, most are open until ten o'clock. In the winter, most either close down for the weekedays or close down entirely until Memorial Day weekend.

Eat

Stone Harbor provides an assortment of places to eat with a variety of different menus.

Breakfast:

• 96th St. Bakery for a warm homemade croissant, Polly's Place (local diner), Uncle Bill's Pancake House (fantastic pancakes and breakfast)

Lunch:

• Pat's Lunch, Bradley's Steaks & Hoagies, Yvette's Cafe, Back Bay Seafood (take-out only)

Dinner:

• Ristorante Luciano (Italian cuisine), Mack's Pizza, Jays on Third, Captain Mariner's Seafood, Henny's Restaurant (American cuisine)

All hours are seasonal; by Memorial Day Weekend, all restaurants are open for the summer.

Drink

One of the most popular places to relax and have a drink in Stone Harbor is Fred's Tavern & Liquor Store. Fred's Tavern offers Happy Hour every Friday 5-7PM. The owners are very friendly and encourage customers to call them if they are looking for a specific type of alcohol. Because Stone Harbor is such a quiet, calm town there aren't many bars and clubs. However a trip to Wildwood or Atlantic City could easily be made for those who are looking for some exciting night life.

Sleep

Rentals: Rentals are available throughout the year in Stone Harbor. Diller & Fisher Realty handles rentals and sales on the island, including Avalon. To contact them, either visit their website, www.dfrealtors.com, or through ☏ +1 609-967-5177.

You can also try the Pebbles Guest House (9400 First Ave) - large multi-unit house that can rented as a whole during peak season or on room-by-room basis in off-peak. Their number is +1 609-368-2203, +1 609-425-6206 or via john.l.curto@gmail.com

Another realtor is R.J Soens, Avalon Real Estate Agency. They also do rentals in Stone Harbor.

Motels: If you're looking to plan a quick weekend trip to Stone Harbor many fantastic motels are available too. Such as The Lark Motel, The Dunes Motel, The Colonial Lodge, The Seaward Motel, The Harbor Inn Motel.

Go next

Stone Harbor lies on one of the most southern parts of New Jersey. Getting there requires taking either the Garden State Parkway South until Exit 10, or a back road like Route 47. During the summer season, traffic becomes quite heavy and it can be a hassle driving, especially on big weekends such as the 4 of July. Generally, the traffic is the worst on Saturdays, the move in day for renters.

Routes through Stone Harbor

Cape May ← Wildwood ←

S  N

→ Avalon → Atlantic City