Seven Mile Island is home to two of the most beloved beach towns on the Jersey Shore: Avalon and Stone Harbor. Together, they share an uninterrupted stretch of Atlantic coastline that consistently ranks among the best beaches in New Jersey—and for good reason. The sand is wide and clean, the water is clear, and the atmosphere is distinctly more relaxed than what you'll find at more commercialized shore destinations.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a family that's been coming back for generations, this guide will help you find the perfect beach spot for your next vacation.
Avalon Beaches: Wide, Beautiful, and Family-Perfect
Avalon occupies the northern half of Seven Mile Island, and its beaches are among the widest on the Jersey Shore. That extra space means you're never fighting for a spot to set up your chairs and umbrella—even on the busiest July weekends. The best beaches in Avalon, NJ share a few things in common: soft sand, excellent lifeguard coverage, and a laid-back vibe that feels worlds away from the boardwalk towns up north.
North End Avalon (8th–20th Streets)
The north end of Avalon is where you'll find some of the island's widest beaches. These blocks are popular with families because there's simply so much room to spread out. The dunes are tall and well-maintained, giving the whole area a natural, untouched feeling despite being just steps from beautiful rental homes.
Local tip: The beaches around 12th–15th Street tend to be a little less crowded than the center of town, but you're still close enough to walk to Avalon's shops and restaurants for lunch.
Central Avalon (21st–32nd Streets)
This is the heart of Avalon beach life. The center of town beaches—especially around 21st to 30th Street—are the most popular and have the liveliest atmosphere. You'll see more teenagers, more beach games, and more energy here. It's also the closest beach access to Avalon's downtown area, with its boutique shops, ice cream spots, and restaurants just a few blocks inland along Dune Drive.
If you're renting in this area, you're in a prime location for both beach access and walkability. After a morning on the sand, it's easy to head back to your rental, rinse off, and stroll into town for dinner.
South End Avalon (32nd–80th Streets)
The further south you go in Avalon, the quieter it gets. The south end beaches are favored by visitors who prefer a more peaceful experience. The beaches here are just as wide and beautiful, but you'll have noticeably more space. If you're looking for a spot where you can read a book without the background noise of beach volleyball, this is it.
This part of Avalon gradually transitions into Stone Harbor, and the homes in this area tend to be some of the most impressive on the island—large, modern properties with gorgeous views.
Stone Harbor Beaches: Charming, Quieter, and Full of Character
Stone Harbor occupies the southern end of Seven Mile Island and has a personality all its own. The town is a bit more compact than Avalon, with a walkable downtown centered around 96th Street. The Stone Harbor beach guide starts with one key fact: these beaches are consistently less crowded than comparable towns on the Shore, which is a huge part of their appeal.
Downtown Stone Harbor Beaches (93rd–100th Streets)
The beaches closest to Stone Harbor's downtown are the most popular and have the most amenities nearby. After a morning on the beach, you can walk to 96th Street for restaurants, shops, and the beloved Springer's ice cream. The beach here is well-maintained with strong lifeguard presence, and there's a great community energy—people playing paddleball, kids building sandcastles, families set up under matching umbrellas for the week.
North Stone Harbor (80th–93rd Streets)
This area bridges the gap between Avalon and downtown Stone Harbor. The beaches are quieter than the center of either town and attract visitors who want easy beach access without the crowds. Many of the rental homes in this stretch are newer construction with modern amenities, and the walk to the beach is typically just a block or two.
Stone Harbor Point
At the very southern tip of Seven Mile Island, Stone Harbor Point is something special. This protected natural area is one of the most unique beach experiences on the Jersey Shore. Unlike the developed beaches to the north, the Point is a wild, windswept stretch of sand dunes, maritime grasses, and untouched coastline. It's a nesting ground for shorebirds (including the piping plover), so parts of it are roped off during breeding season, but the accessible areas are breathtaking.
Stone Harbor Point feels like you've been dropped onto a private island. It's one of the last truly wild beaches left on the Jersey Shore, and it's absolutely worth the walk to get there.
Local tip: Bring water and snacks—there are no concessions at the Point. And wear shoes for the walk in; the sand and shell paths can be rough. Sunset here is unforgettable.
What Makes Avalon & Stone Harbor Beaches Different
If you've spent time at other Jersey Shore beaches, you'll notice a few things that set Seven Mile Island apart:
- No boardwalk: That's by design. Avalon and Stone Harbor have deliberately kept their beaches free of boardwalk commercialism. The focus is on natural beauty, clean sand, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Wide beaches: Thanks to ongoing beach replenishment and the island's natural geography, the beaches here are remarkably wide. Even at high tide, there's plenty of room.
- Clean and well-maintained: Both towns invest heavily in beach maintenance. The sand is raked regularly, trash cans are plentiful, and the overall cleanliness is noticeably better than many shore towns.
- Excellent lifeguard programs: Both Avalon and Stone Harbor have professional, well-trained lifeguard teams. Families with young children can feel confident about water safety.
- Beach tags: Yes, you'll need beach tags (seasonal or daily). This small cost helps fund beach maintenance, lifeguards, and all the things that make these beaches so nice. Daily tags are available at the beach entrances.
Beyond the Beach: What Makes Seven Mile Island Special
The beaches are the main event, but what keeps families coming back to Avalon and Stone Harbor year after year is everything else. The two towns together offer a vacation experience that's hard to find anywhere else on the East Coast:
- Walkable downtowns: Both Avalon and Stone Harbor have charming commercial districts with local shops, restaurants, and cafes. No car needed—just flip-flops and a sunset walk.
- The Wetlands Institute: Located in Stone Harbor, this world-class environmental center offers nature trails, exhibits, and programs for kids. It's a wonderful rainy-day activity or an afternoon adventure.
- Bird Sanctuary: The Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary is a 21-acre heronry right in the middle of town—one of the few places in the world where you can see herons, egrets, and ibis nesting in a residential area.
- Biking everywhere: Seven Mile Island is flat and compact, making it perfect for biking. Families bike to the beach, to dinner, to the ice cream shop—it's the primary mode of summer transportation.
- The food scene: From casual seafood spots and pizza shops to upscale dining, there's something for everyone. Local favorites have been serving families for decades.
Planning Your Beach Vacation
The best way to experience Avalon and Stone Harbor is to rent a house for the week and really settle in. Most rentals run Saturday to Saturday, and the rhythm of the island—morning beach time, afternoon rest, evening walks—becomes second nature within a day or two.
One thing that makes a real difference in your vacation quality: arriving to a house that's fully ready for you. Instead of spending your first afternoon at the shore making beds and unpacking towels, imagine walking into a rental with crisp, premium sheets already on every bed and fresh towels in every bathroom. That's the kind of detail that turns a good vacation into a great one.
Shore Luxe Linens provides exactly that service for Avalon and Stone Harbor vacation rentals—premium organic Quince sheets and towels delivered to your rental, with optional bed-making service so your vacation truly starts the moment you arrive.
Whether you're a first-timer or a lifelong regular, the beaches of Avalon and Stone Harbor have a way of getting under your skin. There's a reason families book the same week, at the same house, year after year. Once you've experienced a week on Seven Mile Island, everywhere else feels like a compromise.
Planning Your Avalon or Stone Harbor Vacation?
Let Shore Luxe Linens handle the linens so you can focus on the beach. Premium organic sheets and towels delivered to your rental, with your choice of fabric and color. Prices start at just $25 per bed, per week.
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