High Tide: 11:05AM
Low Tide: 5:05PM
Ocean Temp: 78°
Sunrise: 6:06AM
Sunset: 8:03PM
UV Index: 8
Rip Currents: Low risk
Corona Virus Cases in NJ: 185,554
Corona Virus Deaths in NJ: 15,849
Corona Virus Cases in Cape May County: 828
Corona Virus Deaths in Cape May County: 87
Beach Tips and Beach Etiquette...
~Think "mask". When walking the streets and beach paths, it can be very close quarters in some areas and it's necessary to wear one and hardly anyone wears a mask!
~Give that 6' of space (more if possible) when deciding on your campsite at the beach and that 6' means completely surrounding your beach encampment people; not just on one side with 3' on the other side.
~Things to pack for the beach... water, (I pack a small spray bottle of fresh water for you never know what), hat, footwear, towel, sunblock, insect repellent, first aid kit, shade (umbrella or sand chair with a canopy), something to read and a small trash bag to collect any trash you may have accumulated while there and of course a "Mask".
~Phone use... more often than not and I'm not sure why but folks get up and leave their party / blanket / chair to have their phone conversations (loudly) by way of walking through and pacing and lingering at others encampments for all else to hear their phone call. What is that??
~Let's talk "music"... no one wants to hear your music although many self-proclaimed disc jockeys come to the beach thinking we all want to hear their music choices. Pack headphones or at least keep your music decibel down to where only you and those with you can hear it.
~Winds... know the wind direction and wind speed if possible. When traversing the beach (hopefully with footwear) be aware of how close you're walking near people lying on their blankets. Give some thought to how your flip flops are kicking up sand as the stiff winds blow the sand all over those you're walking by. When planting an umbrella especially on a windy day, you may have to take extra steps to secure it such as sand (screw) grabber or bungee cord. It's pretty amazing how insecure some umbrellas can be as the wind launches them directly toward unknowing folks relaxing right in the line of fire waiting to be impaled. Also, shake towels and blankets away from others noting the wind direction. And, remember that West Winds bring green head flies that bite. Pack the insect repellent.
~Note the tide times when going to the beach. You can always ask the lifeguard. If the tide is at it's highest, you can sit as close to the water as you can as the tide will take the entire day to go down to low tide increasing the size of the beach tenfold. You'll literally sit and watch the beach grow as the water slowly recedes a block or more away.
~Let's talk "music"... no one wants to hear your music although many self-proclaimed disc jockeys come to the beach thinking we all want to hear their music choices. Pack headphones or at least keep your music decibel down to where only you and those with you can hear it.
~Winds... know the wind direction and wind speed if possible. When traversing the beach (hopefully with footwear) be aware of how close you're walking near people lying on their blankets. Give some thought to how your flip flops are kicking up sand as the stiff winds blow the sand all over those you're walking by. When planting an umbrella especially on a windy day, you may have to take extra steps to secure it such as sand (screw) grabber or bungee cord. It's pretty amazing how insecure some umbrellas can be as the wind launches them directly toward unknowing folks relaxing right in the line of fire waiting to be impaled. Also, shake towels and blankets away from others noting the wind direction. And, remember that West Winds bring green head flies that bite. Pack the insect repellent.
~Note the tide times when going to the beach. You can always ask the lifeguard. If the tide is at it's highest, you can sit as close to the water as you can as the tide will take the entire day to go down to low tide increasing the size of the beach tenfold. You'll literally sit and watch the beach grow as the water slowly recedes a block or more away.
~A recent beach posting is there's "No Smoking" on the beach except in designated areas.
~No dogs allowed on the beach (except for the wonderful dog beaches the Wildwoods provide).
~Never leave trash on the beach and even better yet...pick up any that you see whether it's yours or not. Note trash and recycle containers are situated everywhere.
~Teach children beach etiquette. Running (basically "kicking" up sand) as well as throwing sand is a no-brainer but sometimes you'd never know it.
~Feeding the seagulls is a big no-no. Eat and snack smartly. Using hands to express oneself when holding your sandwich up or out is a magnet for swooping gulls. Dropping one potato chip carelessly while eating will create seagull havoc. Eat under your umbrella or hooded sand chair as the seagulls are much like vultures and are endlessly eyeing beach-goers eating habits. They're relentless trying to find the right opportune moment to swoop down and pluck your lunch right out of your hand or mouth (seen it happen many times). By the way, seagulls know "chip bags" and if they see one sticking out of your unsupervised beach bag, they will think nothing of helping themselves and remove the bag of chips from your bag as well as share their newly acquired snacks with their gull friends while you're taking a walk or a dip (seen it happen many times).
~Playing ball, Frisbee, horseshoes, corn hole, spike-ball or kite-flying etc. best done on the back side of the beach (dune side) or other designated areas that are more appropriate for active beach games away from those camped on the beach that are simply trying to enjoy their beach day. The beach patrol will probably stop you if playing in the wrong area anyway.
~Observe and follow posted beach warnings (closed beaches, no alcohol, strong rip currents, surfboard/boogie board "only" areas etc) and always pay attention to lifeguards. If in doubt...ask the lifeguard.
~Couresty is key. Be kind to one another. Let's all be safe and happy for the rest of this incredibly strange summer.
~Teach children beach etiquette. Running (basically "kicking" up sand) as well as throwing sand is a no-brainer but sometimes you'd never know it.
~Feeding the seagulls is a big no-no. Eat and snack smartly. Using hands to express oneself when holding your sandwich up or out is a magnet for swooping gulls. Dropping one potato chip carelessly while eating will create seagull havoc. Eat under your umbrella or hooded sand chair as the seagulls are much like vultures and are endlessly eyeing beach-goers eating habits. They're relentless trying to find the right opportune moment to swoop down and pluck your lunch right out of your hand or mouth (seen it happen many times). By the way, seagulls know "chip bags" and if they see one sticking out of your unsupervised beach bag, they will think nothing of helping themselves and remove the bag of chips from your bag as well as share their newly acquired snacks with their gull friends while you're taking a walk or a dip (seen it happen many times).
~Playing ball, Frisbee, horseshoes, corn hole, spike-ball or kite-flying etc. best done on the back side of the beach (dune side) or other designated areas that are more appropriate for active beach games away from those camped on the beach that are simply trying to enjoy their beach day. The beach patrol will probably stop you if playing in the wrong area anyway.
~Observe and follow posted beach warnings (closed beaches, no alcohol, strong rip currents, surfboard/boogie board "only" areas etc) and always pay attention to lifeguards. If in doubt...ask the lifeguard.
~Couresty is key. Be kind to one another. Let's all be safe and happy for the rest of this incredibly strange summer.
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