Kayak & Wine on the Beach - Island Beach State Park & Seaside Heights

http://www.islandbeachnj.org/index.html
NJ Residents $5 Entry Fee / Non Residents $10 Entry Fee

Meet at Area 21 which is about 7 miles past the gate. Boat launch is on the right and parking is on the left. Look for my Green Kayak.

PADDLE
We will paddle approx. 2-3 hours. Route will depend on the weather. Nice weather will send us towards the lighthouse and winds will keep us to the coast.

WHAT TO BRING
Water, lunch, hat, sunscreen, bathing suit, PFD w/ whistle, kayak and paddle.

WINE
A dozen wineries and numerous food venues. Wine tasting is open 12-5 and we paid $20-$25 to enter. We will get there around 1 and have 4 hours of tasting. We usually buy a bottle and go sit on the beach for a few minutes after the tasting. They always have a band playing on the beach.
I will add this link to purchase advanced tickets in the comments when they go on sale.

AFTER WINE TASTING
Giant Pizza at The Sawmill
https://sawmillcafe.com/

Come for the paddle, wine, pizza or everything.

ABOUT ISLAND BEACH
Shaped by storm and tides, the park is a narrow barrier island that sits between the restless Atlantic Ocean and the historic Barnegat Bay. Island Beach is one of New Jersey's last significant remnants of a barrier island ecosystem that once existed along much of the coast and is also one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the north Atlantic coast.

More than 3,000 acres of coastal dunes that remain almost untouched since Henry Hudson first described New Jersey's coast from the ship, the Half Moon, in 1609. The dunes and white sandy beaches offer habitat to maritime plants and diverse wildlife that is almost the same as it was thousands of years ago.

The state's largest osprey colony, as well as peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl and migrating songbirds are found here. The park is nationally known as a unique resource with more than 400 plants identified, including the largest expanses of beach heather in New Jersey. It also features two Coast Guard stations from 1901 and 1938.

One, of the best ways to explore the waters along the bay side of Island Beach State Park is by kayak. The 1,900 acre Sedge Island Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) with its many salt marsh islands, is a perfect place to paddle. The water is warm and shallow in most places. More than thirty osprey platforms provide nesting sites for this magnificent bird of prey. Long legged wading birds such as herons and egrets are also easy to spot as you paddle silently through the narrow channels. The southern most launch site is across the road from parking lot A-21. A 200 yd drive down the road will bring you to a sandy beach where you can launch your boat. Because space is limited, you must park your car in the A-21 lot and walk back to your boat before beginning your trip. Although the waters of the MCZ are not as hazardous as the open bay, all boaters should be aware of potentially dangerous conditions. Use plenty of sunscreen, wear a hat, and cover up to avoid being sun burned by light reflectedoff the water. Carry water and drink often to stay hydrated. The wind is often difficult to paddle against, especially as it increases in strength during the afternoon. Because of the proximity to Barnegat Inlet, the current can be strong (up to 5 kts) especially in the narrow passages in the south and western parts of the MCZ. Be safe and always wear your life jacket.