Long Beach Island, NJ Ocean Front Motel Suggestions?

[dennis in se pa]

I usually go to Ocean City, MD. Just want to get away for a few days to the beach and want a shorter drive, plus I used to spend time on LBI as a kid. Interested in checking it out once again. I see a lot of good and bad reviews on various beach front places. Any input for this crowd? Mid September visit. And no I won't be taking my "spoon"! Other areas you would recommend are appreciated.

[flatbutt]

If you aren't absolutely set on beach front, you can get a better price just across the causeway. I usually camp so if camping is cool there is a nice KoA south of the causeway on Rt 9. Clean, quiet, nice facilities.

The north end of the island is quieter than the south end.

Oh yeah, sunset at Old Barney is always good.

[dafischer]

In mid september, it doesn't matter which end, as they're both quiet by then. The Coral Seas, Engleside, Sea Shell, and Spray beach Inn aren't bad. They're all located in the Beach Haven (south end) area. We stayed at the Spray Beach and Engleside a bunch of years ago, so can't vouch for their current state.
Now we rent the same house every year (oceanfront in Beach Haven) the first week in Sept., so we're really spoiled. Looking forward to a week of R&R starting Saturday. I spent my first 16 summers on LBI when my parents had their House in Harvey Cedars. Lots of good places to eat, as well.

[dennis in se pa]

Thank you.
I spent every August in a cottage in Barnegat Light for most of my youth. I don't think that place is still there.
Engleside and Spray Beach are on my list.

[Seahawk]

You may know some friends of mine, age dependent. They both spent their summers in LBI in Beach Haven as life guards, late 60's, through the 70's.

The Marx brothers, no kidding.

We spent a week each summer there when the kids were young with the Marx'. Renting a house is the best bet, especially in September.

Originally Posted by dafischer

In mid september, it doesn't matter which end, as they're both quiet by then. The Coral Seas, Engleside, Sea Shell, and Spray beach Inn aren't bad. They're all located in the Beach Haven (south end) area. We stayed at the Spray Beach and Engleside a bunch of years ago, so can't vouch for their current state.
Now we rent the same house every year (oceanfront in Beach Haven) the first week in Sept., so we're really spoiled. Looking forward to a week of R&R starting Saturday. I spent my first 16 summers on LBI when my parents had their House in Harvey Cedars. Lots of good places to eat, as well.

[Rick Lee]

I spent last weekend there at my folks' place in Harvey Cedars. I don't recall seeing any hotels on the ocean side of the blvd., but then I haven't been south of Surf City in probably 20 yrs. Whatever you do, bring your patience. Driving there is just awful. Speed limits are a joke, the Gestapo are ubiquitous and bicycles and pedestrians ignore all laws with impunity. My folks' place is on a lagoon on the bayside, so I never go to the beach. We always take the sailboat or kayaks out on the bay and avoid the masses.

[VincentVega]

Hope it works out. After growing up going to MD and DE beaches the past couple years I've tried NJ. Cape May this year and OC last summer. I brought my boat home from Forked River so saw some of the bay and it seems like a great place.

[VINMAN]

Yep Spray Beach was always a nice place. But like previous posted, been a while since ive been in it.

LBI is much nicer after the summer crowds are gone.