Gateway National Recreation Area - Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise
Gateway National Recreation Area
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.
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.
Need to Know
- Reservations. Reservations are available two months in advance until 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the canoe cruise date. Each individual who wishes to participate in the tour must have a reservation. Minimum of (2) participants must reserve, for each canoe. Maximum of (3) participants according to the paddling position description below.
- Experience: Participants must have prior experience paddling a canoe, at least intermediate experience. Paddlers must know how to hold a paddle in the water. Two park rangers lead the tour and are in an National Park Service canoe. The rangers are never allowed to split up under any circumstances. This is a safety precaution, so they can work together to assist participants.
- Seasons and Tour Availability. The park offers canoe cruises on weekdays, Wednesday through Friday, from the middle of June to the end of August. The park will offer canoe tours on the weekends in September, except for Labor Day Weekend.
- Two Paddler Minimum: The rear of the canoe (position A) must be a strong adult due to tidal conditions in the bay (see canoe diagram at right).
- Paddling Positions: The front of the canoe (position B) must be at least 14 years of age and must also have strength to paddle. The center of the canoe (position C) is a seat on the bottom of the canoe for a child between 7 years old and 13 years old. Rangers reserve the right to re-position individuals if visitors book this tour without considering these restrictions (see canoe diagram at right).
- Children: Parent or legal guardian must accompany all minors under 18 years of age. Children between 7 and 13 years of age must be placed in the middle of the Canoe (Position C). Children between 14 and 18 years of age must have prior experience paddling a canoe, and are positioned at the front of the canoe.
- Canoes: Canoes are provided by the park only, no personal watercraft vessels are allowed. Participants must assist the rangers with unloading the canoes off the trailer, and load them back onto the trailer when the program is completed.
- Start time: The Canoe tour will start on time. Rangers will not wait at the meeting place (Spermaceti Cove Parking Lot between Parking Lot D and Parking Lot E) for late arrivals.
- Remember to Bring: Water, bug spray, sun screen, water shoes and a snack, wear lightweight clothes, and/or bathing suit.
- Prohibited: Alcoholic beverages, coolers, pets, electronic equipment (cameras, phones, radios, watches)
- Safety: All participants are required to wear a pfd (personal flotation device) issued by the park while on the canoe. Programs may be cancelled due to high winds (more than 10 mph) or thunder and lightning or other hazardous conditions. Two park rangers lead the tour and are in an NPS canoe, they are never allowed to split up under any circumstances.
- Facilities: Bathrooms are not available near the canoe launch site or throughout the program.
- Please note if you would like to book more than 2 or 3 individuals you will need to continue to the next boat to add another reservation
Booking Windows
No specific booking information available at this time. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates on ticket releases.
Changes and Cancellations
No refunds once tour starts. See Facility Rates for fees.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
26 Highlands NJ 7732
Phone Number
732-872-5970
Available Tours and Tickets
- Boat 1 (Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise)
- Boat 2 (Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise)
- Boat 3 (Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise)
- Boat 4 (Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise)
- Boat 5 (Sandy Hook Canoe Cruise)
