Maxson Avenue Beach

Point Pleasant, New Jersey · on Manasquan River · Maxson Avenue Beach

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: river
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $20
SEASON: Best in summer

About Maxson Avenue Beach

Maxson Avenue Beach is an official municipal swimming hole and beach operated by the Borough of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, on the Manasquan River. It gives families a lifeguarded, badge-required river to swim in, with a designated swim area, fishing pier, and playground, distinct from the adjacent no-swimming Riverfront Park beach area.

The beach sits at the end of Maxson Avenue on the tidal Manasquan River, one block west of the former Point Pleasant Hospital site and directly adjacent to the town's Riverfront Park (which has its own separate fishing/crabbing-only shoreline with no swimming).

Swimming at Maxson Avenue Beach

Swimming is permitted only in a designated, lifeguard-monitored area marked off by life lines, and only while lifeguards are on duty; it is set up as a family river beach rather than a deep-water or current-swimming destination, with rules aimed at young children (under-8s must be accompanied) and no flotation devices allowed.

How to get to this swimming hole

Located at the terminus of Maxson Avenue in Point Pleasant Borough, NJ, on the Manasquan River, one block west of the former Point Pleasant Hospital and adjacent to Riverfront Park.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up/walk-up municipal street-end beach at the terminus of Maxson Avenue in Point Pleasant, not a hike-in swimming hole. Visitors walk directly from the street/parking area to the designated swim area; no trail is involved.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Official municipal family beach: lifeguards on duty daily 9am-5pm in season, swim area marked off by 'life lines,' children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult, and an ADA-accessible playground and shaded walkway are on site. Being a tidal river, there is some current, but the lifeguarded, roped-off design is aimed squarely at families with young kids.

Restrooms

Yes

Restrooms are listed among the onsite facilities at Maxson Avenue Beach (along with the fishing pier, children's playground, and viewing areas), per the borough's official facilities page. Exact location within the site not further specified.

Hours

Beach/lifeguard season runs from the last week of school (mid-to-late June) through Labor Day; lifeguards on duty daily 9:00am-5:00pm, weather permitting. A season beach badge is required for anyone on the property during this period.

On the water

Restrictions: Official beach rules prohibit boat launching at Maxson Avenue Beach, and swimmers may not use flotation devices or cross the lifeguards' roped-off 'life lines.' No source found permitting kayak/canoe/paddleboard/motorboat use from this specific beach.

No information found (this session or prior dossier) about launching non-motorized watercraft (kayak/canoe/SUP) elsewhere along this stretch of the Manasquan River near the beach; the only documented rule is the outright ban on boat launching at the swim beach itself.

Maxson Avenue Beach: FAQ

Does Maxson Avenue Beach charge a fee?

Season beach badges required June 19 (or last week of school) through Labor Day: $20 for ages 6-59, $10 for seniors 60+, free for children under 6, free for active/retired military with ID. Daily badges are not sold at the beach and must be purchased in advance and picked up at Borough Hall.

Is Maxson Avenue Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Maxson Avenue Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Maxson Avenue Beach?

Not confirmed specifically for Maxson Avenue Beach. The borough's beaches page notes River Avenue Beach (a different Point Pleasant beach) has a 'large parking area,' but makes no equivalent statement for Maxson Avenue Beach. Searches this session (official pages, Google/Bing/DuckDuckGo, Google Maps) turned up no dedicated Maxson Avenue Beach parking details; left null per no-guess policy rather than assume street parking exists.

When is the best time to visit Maxson Avenue Beach?

Summer, from mid-to-late June (last week of school) through Labor Day, with lifeguards on duty daily 9am-5pm weather permitting.

What are the rules at Maxson Avenue Beach?

Beach badges required for everyone on the property; swimming allowed only in the designated area and only when lifeguards are present (9am-5pm daily, weather permitting); no flotation devices, alcohol, illegal substances, or animals; no boat launching; children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult; swimmers may not cross the lifeguards' life lines to leave the beach property.

What water body is Maxson Avenue Beach on?

Maxson Avenue Beach is on Manasquan River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.