Where land, sea, and wings come together.
About This Location
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park sits at the northern tip of Long Beach Island along the New Jersey coast, where bay, ocean, dunes, and jetty converge. The park offers a remarkable mix of habitats in a compact area, making it one of the most productive birding locations on the coast. From the lighthouse trails and dunes to the stone jetty extending into the Atlantic, the setting provides constant movement, changing light, and a wide variety of species throughout the year. It's a place where shorebirds, waterfowl, and seabirds can often be seen within minutes of each other, with the lighthouse standing as a dramatic and iconic backdrop.
Photography Notes
A large parking lot leads to a short walk past the lighthouse and onto a concrete retaining wall, where gulls, terns, and various duck species are often visible. Beyond the railing, a half-mile stone jetty extends into the Atlantic and serves as a resting place for gulls and sandpipers throughout the day. Carefully walking the large, sometimes slippery rocks—crampons are recommended—allows for eye-level photography of ducks, geese, and egrets in both directions. Trails near the lighthouse access sand dunes, retention ponds, and the beach, where shorebirds, scoters, terns, and gulls are common. From mid-November through early spring, this location offers exceptional species diversity, including the seasonal presence of Harlequin Ducks.
Location
