Ocean City Once Again Recognized in NJ’s ‘Favorite Beaches’ Poll

For the 12th consecutive year, Ocean City took the top spot in the “Favorite Beaches” statewide poll by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. Representatives of the nonprofit announced the top beach communities named in its annual poll during a presentation at the Ocean City Music Pier on Thursday, July 24.

According to the poll results, Ocean City received 5,771 votes, more than any other beach community. Ocean City's dominance of the contest year after year has become legendary.

“It's an honor to see this annual contest confirm what generations of families already know: Ocean City is the best,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement shared with OCNJDaily. “I want to thank everyone who works so hard to make Ocean City the special place that it is, including the entire city team, our public safety departments, the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Development Commission, the Boardwalk and Downtown Merchants associations, local businesses, all volunteer groups, and the entire community.”

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium started the contest in 2008 to “inspire pride in and stewardship of New Jersey's beaches while promoting a little healthy competition between New Jersey's favorite beach towns.” In addition to winning the “Favorite Beach” contest, Ocean City has been honored as the “Best Beach in America” and “Best Beach” in other statewide polls in recent years. 

“America's Greatest Family Resort” has also been lauded for its Boardwalk, downtown, ecotourism initiatives, family activities, and women-owned businesses.

The New Jersey “Favorite Beaches” contest is determined through online voting. Awardees include the overall winner and runner-up for the state, plus the top two beach communities in each of the four coastal counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean.

Here are the winners of these categories according to the poll:

Overall winners: 1. Ocean City; 2. Margate

Atlantic County: 1. Margate; 2. Brigantine

Cape May County: 1. Ocean City; 2. Cape May

Monmouth County: 1. Asbury Park; 2. Spring Lake

Ocean County: 1. Beach Haven; 2. Point Pleasant Beach