Island Beach Named NJ's Best Views

Island Beach State Park is a significant remnant of the barrier island ecosystem that once stretched along much of the New Jersey coast. It covers over 3,000 acres and includes 10 miles of coastal dunes that have remained largely untouched since Henry Hudson's exploration in 1609. This unique environment is home to over 400 identified plant species, including the largest expanses of beach heather in the state. The park's diverse habitats, which include primary dunes, thickets, freshwater wetlands, maritime forests, and tidal marshes, support a wide array of wildlife. It is notably home to New Jersey's largest osprey colony and provides a crucial habitat for peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, and migrating songbirds. This makes the park a significant stop on the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds. Historically, the land was purchased in 1926 by Henry Phipps, a partner of Andrew Carnegie, with the intention of creating an exclusive summer resort. However, the stock market crash of 1929 halted these development plans. The state of New Jersey purchased the land from Phipps' heirs in 1953, and the park officially opened to the public in 1959, now attracting approximately one million visitors annually. In Florida, Sebastian Inlet State Park is renowned for its premier saltwater fishing, with anglers catching snook, redfish, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel from its jetties. The park features two jetties, one extending nearly 1,000 feet and the other almost 600 feet into the Atlantic. It is also a globally recognized surfing destination, known for spots like "First Peak" and "Monster Hole." The park holds significant historical importance as the site of a 1715 Spanish treasure fleet shipwreck. Visitors can learn more about this and the area's fishing history at the park's two museums: the McLarty Treasure Museum and the Sebastian Fishing Museum. Beyond fishing and surfing, Sebastian Inlet State Park provides critical nesting ground for sea turtles. The park's diverse ecosystems, including the Indian River Lagoon, also attract a wide variety of wildlife, such as manatees and over 180 species of birds throughout the year.