7 Shocking Facts About New Jersey Beach Closings In 2025: What Every Shore Visitor Must Know

Planning your next trip to the Jersey Shore? As of today, December 15, 2025, the focus shifts from the past summer’s advisories to preparations for the next season, but a look back at the 2025 season reveals crucial insights into New Jersey's coastal water quality.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) maintains one of the country's most rigorous monitoring programs, yet the 2025 summer still saw a number of swimming restrictions and outright beach closures. Understanding these recent events—from high bacteria counts to weather-related bans—is essential for any beachgoer looking to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

The State of New Jersey's Coastal Water Quality: 2025 Season Recap

The 2025 summer season presented a mixed bag for the New Jersey coast, with a relatively low number of closures overall but a few high-profile, persistent issues that drew significant public attention. The state's monitoring efforts, administered by the NJDEP through the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP), are designed to catch potential health hazards quickly.

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Fact 1: The Total Number of Closings in 2025 Remained Low

Despite the headlines, the total number of ocean and bay beach closings due to bacteriological levels in 2025 was relatively low. Throughout the entire season, there were only seven ocean and bay beach closings attributed to bacteria exceedances. [cite: 12, original search]

This statistic is a testament to the swift action taken by local health authorities and the NJDEP's rigorous testing schedule. Closures are only implemented when two consecutive samples collected at a bathing beach exceed the state's stringent water quality standard. [cite: 4, original search]

Fact 2: A Permanent Ban Issued for a Major Bay Beach

One of the most concerning developments of the 2025 season was the swimming ban at Beachwood Beach, located on the Toms River in Ocean County. This was not a temporary advisory but an outright ban on swimming for the entire 2025 season, with the potential to extend further. [cite: 7, original search]

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The reason for this long-term restriction was ongoing, persistent concerns about high bacteria counts in the bay water, highlighting a localized, chronic pollution issue that goes beyond typical seasonal fluctuations.

Fact 3: The Primary Culprit is Bacteriological Levels (Enterococci)

The overwhelming majority of beach closings and swimming advisories in New Jersey are triggered by elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria, specifically Enterococci. These bacteria are used as markers to indicate the potential presence of pathogens that can cause illness in swimmers. [cite: 3, original search]

The spike in these levels is most often correlated with heavy rainfall, which leads to stormwater runoff carrying pollutants from streets, lawns, and sometimes even failing septic systems into the coastal waters.

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Understanding the Difference: Closings vs. Advisories

It is vital for beachgoers to understand the distinction between a "beach closing" and a "swimming advisory," as they represent different levels of risk and restriction.

Fact 4: Advisories Mean Caution, Not a Total Ban

A swimming advisory is issued when a single water sample exceeds the state's bacterial standard. This is a warning to the public, particularly sensitive populations like children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, to exercise caution.

During a swimming advisory, the beach remains open, and activities like sunbathing and walking on the beach are unaffected. [cite: 8, original search] The advisory is lifted once subsequent testing confirms the water quality has improved. For instance, the NJDEP lifted advisories for 11 Jersey Shore beaches by July 24th, 2025, after improved test results. [cite: 14, original search]

Fact 5: Closings Require Two Consecutive Failures

A full beach closing (or a ban on swimming) is a much more serious step. This only occurs after two consecutive water samples taken at the same location fail to meet the state's water quality standard. [cite: 4, original search]

A "beach closed" sign means swimming is strictly prohibited. These closures remain in effect until subsequent tests show the bacteria levels have dropped back into the safe range, a process that usually takes at least 24 hours.

How to Stay Informed and Which Areas Saw Advisories

The 2025 season saw advisories in various locations, illustrating that water quality issues can pop up anywhere along the coast, from the ocean to the back bays. The CCMP monitors approximately 195 ocean stations and 25 bay stations weekly. [cite: 4, original search]

Fact 6: Wildwood Crest Experienced Multiple Advisories

Several popular vacation spots in the Cape May County area, particularly in Wildwood Crest, were under advisory at various points during the summer. Specific beaches that saw advisories for elevated bacteria levels included:

• Lavender Road Beach
• Orchid Road Beach
• Miami Avenue Beach
• Hollywood Beach
• Jefferson Avenue Beach

These advisories highlight the regional nature of water quality issues, often linked to localized weather patterns and stormwater runoff.

Fact 7: Weather Events Can Cause Immediate, Non-Bacterial Closings

While bacteria are the main cause of health-related closures, other factors can lead to immediate, temporary bans on swimming. For example, during the 2025 season, dangerous surf conditions caused by Hurricane Erin prompted some Jersey Shore beaches to close to swimmers to ensure public safety and prevent drownings. [cite: 6, original search]

These weather-related closures are not due to pollution but are critical public safety measures. Visitors to areas like Sandy Hook, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, or beaches in Monmouth County and Cape May County, should always check for surf conditions and rip current warnings in addition to water quality reports.

Monitoring and Future Outlook for New Jersey Beaches

The NJDEP Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP) is a year-round operation that ramps up its testing from mid-May through mid-September. This joint effort between the state and county health departments ensures that the public has access to the most up-to-date information. They not only test for bacteria but also monitor ecological health indicators like nutrients and dissolved oxygen to assess eutrophic conditions in the coastal waters.

To ensure a safe trip to the shore, always check the official NJ Beach Monitoring Program website or your local county health department's beach safety dashboard before you go. Being aware of the risks associated with stormwater contamination, especially after heavy rain, and heeding all swimming advisories and closures is the best way to protect your health and enjoy the beautiful New Jersey coastline.