Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise
Tickets · New Jersey ·
Managed by the National Park Service
- 72 ft
- Elevation
Overview:
Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook is a barrier beach at the northern end of the New Jersey Shore. Its location at the entrance to New York Harbor assured Sandy Hook's importance for coastal and harbor defense. For more than 200 years most of the peninsula has been a federal reserve. The military presence both shaped Sandy Hook's history and assured its preservation as open space. During the summer, visitors enjoy swimming and strolling along the Sandy Hook beaches. Throughout the year there are opportunities for birding, fishing, hiking, camping or discovering the park's natural resources and historic sites, including America's oldest lighthouse and historic coastal batteries.During the Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise, experienced park rangers will outfit visitors for an early morning canoe tour on the bay. Along the route to Skeleton Hill Island, paddlers will experience breathtaking views of Sandy Hook mainland and Sandy Hook Bay. Visitors will likely observe shore birds, fish, and possibly Diamondback terrapins while paddling. Once the group reaches Skeleton Hill Island, visitors will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the area. Shore birds, turtles, fish, hermit crabs, snails and horseshoe crabs are observed regularly during the canoe tours.
Summary of Fees
Tour Name Adult (18 and over) Junior (14 and over) Reservation fee
(per ticket) Changes* Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise Free Free $1.50
(non-refundable) $0.00 *Customers may request changes until 4:00 PM Eastern the day before the tour
Getting there
Spermaceti Cove Parking LOT (Between LOT D and LOT E)
Highlands, NJ
07732
After passing the fee booths at the front of the park, continue to drive on Hartshorne Drive and make a right into Spermaceti Cove Parking Lot.
40.40761, -74.03050 · 40°24'27.4"N 74°1'49.8"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.9 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 4.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise
- Can you reserve a site at Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise?
- Yes, Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise is reservable through Recreation.gov.
Camping near Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise
- Camp Gateway - Sandy Hook 3.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Camp Gateway - Staten Island 13.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Camp Gateway- Brooklyn Ny 15.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ryan Visitor Center 14.3 mi · Facility
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 18 mi · Facility
- Liberty Island Information Center 19.6 mi · Facility
- Ellis Island Information Desk 20.1 mi · Facility
- Castle Clinton NM 20.5 mi · Visitor Center
- Museum of American Finance 20.7 mi · Facility
- Visitor Center 21.6 mi · Visitor Center
- New Jersey Historical Society 24 mi · Facility
- The Plaza 24.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 732-872-5970
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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