The wide beaches in the Wildwoods are popular. (Photo courtesy of USA Today)
When it comes to beaches, bigger is indeed better.
For the second straight year, the Wildwoods and their sprawling beaches have bragging rights to being named as the “Best Beach in New Jersey.”
Led by the Wildwoods in the top spot, the Best Beaches in New Jersey 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards contest was dominated by the beach towns of Cape May and Atlantic counties.
Right behind the Wildwoods was Ocean City at No. 2, followed by Atlantic City, Cape May and Sea Isle City to round out the top five.
Long Beach Island came in sixth place, followed by Asbury Park, Avalon, Brigantine and Avon-by-the-Sea to complete the top 10.
Altogether, seven of the top 10 spots included beach towns from Cape May and Atlantic counties – the Wildwoods, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Cape May, Sea Isle City, Avalon and Brigantine.
The Wildwoods include the towns of Wildwood, North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. Their five-mile stretch of wide, sandy beaches is completely free to the public. Unlike most shore towns in New Jersey, the Wildwoods do not require beach tags.
“The Wildwoods beaches have been the backdrop to countless family memories for generations,” Ben Rose, director of marketing and public relations for the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement Development Authority, said in a news release. “To be recognized by visitors across the region as the best beach in New Jersey for the second year in a row is a tremendous honor.”
Ocean City's beachfront takes the second spot in the contest.The USA Today 10Best contest featured beaches across New Jersey, curated by a panel of travel experts, and ultimately voted on by USA Today readers. The sprawling size of the Wildwoods’ beaches helped to make them the top choice of voters.
“Featuring the largest stretches of sand on the Jersey Shore (500 yards at points), the Wildwoods provide plenty of space for beachgoers to spread out,” USA Today said while announcing the contest results Wednesday.
Throughout the summer season, the Wildwoods’ beaches host many events, including the Barefoot Country Music Festival June 19-22, and the “Thunder Over the Waves” Airshow September 5-6.
The National Marbles Championships, the Race of Gentleman Vintage Car and Motorcycle Beach Drag Races, Monster Truck Races, motocross races, sand sculpting festivals, headline concerts, the Wildwoods International Kite Festival and the Ultimate Beach Frisbee Championship are among other popular events on the beach.
The Best Beaches contest continues the Wildwoods’ winning streak in USA Today contests this year. The Wildwoods Boardwalk captured first place in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Best Boardwalk in the U.S. contest.
“Surrounded by iconic retro architecture, the legendary Wildwood Boardwalk is a big entertainment hub, offering an electric vibe day and night,” USA Today said.
The famous tram car rolls down the Wildwood Boardwalk during a summer day. (Courtesy of the Wildwoods)
