Overview
Ortley Beach, also called Dover Beach South, is part of Ocean County, on the Jersey Shore. It is located on the Barnegat Peninsula and is physically separated from its governing entity, the city of Toms River. Ortley Beach spans about 10-15 blocks, and is surrounded by other popular summer destinations including Lavallette, Mantoloking (both of which are covered in this article), Normandy Beach, Point Pleasant, Mantoloking Shores, Bayhead, Seaside Heights, Dover Beach, and Seaside Park.
This small seaside vacation destination is a typical Jersey shore community. Sleepy and quiet during the offseason, with a large influx of visitors from mid-June through August. Vacationers enjoy the clean beaches, quiet sunsets, and relaxing atmosphere. Families come here to get away from it all while still being surrounded by the finest attractions the Jersey Shore has to offer.
3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ortley Beach
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
This boardwalk is more than a mile long. There are two amusement piers, the Casino Pier and the Funtown Pier, that are jam packed with rides. These two piers are separated by a long stretch of boardwalk filled with games…
Point Pleasant Boardwalk
Jenkinson's boardwalk offers amusements, rides, and also has an aquarium.
Barnacle Bills Amusements
Arcade with a variety of games and a miniature golf course. The galley also offers food and ice cream, and only a walking distance from almost anywhere in Ortley Beach.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Wettest: Mar and Aug. (climate data from nearby Toms River)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ACY Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City — 44 mi away. Directions
- TTN Trenton Mercer Airport, Ewing Township — 45 mi away. Directions
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 50 mi away (major hub). Directions
The most popular access to Ortley Beach is by automobile, and during the summer months the traffic can become very congested. The worst traffic occurs on popular holidays such as Labor Day, July 4th, and Memorial Day.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Boardwalk
- Lunch Lavallette Ristorante & Pizzeria
- Afternoon Barnacle Bills Amusements
- Dinner The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
You can enjoy going out to diner, grab some takeout, or take a trip to the grocery store to stock up the rental house refrigerator without having to go far from home - or wherever it is you are staying during your time in Ortley Beach. Seaside Heights and Lavallette are also close at hand. You can even venture further afield and head over the Tom's River Bridge to the continuous line of stores found along 37.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
The most popular access to Ortley Beach is by automobile, and during the summer months the traffic can become very congested. The worst traffic occurs on popular holidays such as Labor Day, July 4th, and Memorial Day.
- From Northern New Jersey NJ
Depending on your starting location, travel along the Garden State Parkway until Exit 92. Then, take Route 35 South over the bridge. Follow signs for “Seaside Heights”. From there, continue until you see the large blue water tower labeled ORTLEY BEACH on your left.
- From Southern New Jersey
Depending on your starting location, travel along the Garden State Parkway until Exit 82 East for Route 37. Then, take Route 37 East for 9 miles over the Bridge into Seaside Heights. Ortley Beach is the next block North of Seaside Heights.
- From Philadelphia
Take Route 70 East until Route 37 East, which meets in Lakehurst, NJ. Continue on Route 37 and follow it over the bridge onto Route 35. From there, follow directions from “Northern New Jersey”.
- From the West
Drive along Route 195 East to the Garden State Parkway south. Continue on the Parkway until Exit 82 East for Route 37. Take Route 37 East for 9 miles, follow it over the Bridge into Seaside Heights. From there, follow signs to your destination.
Take exit 82 on the Garden State Parkway, route 37 east to Seaside Heights, and then north on route 35. Route 35 runs all along the water and will lead you all the way to the tip of Island Beach. It is very easy to get where you need to go. There is road access to both the ocean side and bay side of the water.
Get around
Ortley Beach is less than a square mile in size. It is bounded by Barnegat Bay on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Most people enjoy walking as a form of transportation, but bicycles are also very popular.
Taxi service is also available for those who wish to experience the exciting nightlife that surrounds Ortley Beach.
See
The beach is the main attraction. The cooler sea air found here is also quite a relief from hot humid summer days that occur in places like Philadelphia, interior New Jersey, or New York City. You can't spend all day and night at the beach. What else are you going to do while you are on vacation? There are plenty of options. Some of these are close at hand and, depending on where you are staying, within walking distance. Other places such as Island Beach State Park, Tom's River, and Six Flags Great Adventure are further away and require more planning than someplace that is just a few blocks away.
Do
There is so much to do in Orley Beach for both families and party-goers. For the kids, be sure to visit:
Do Seaside Heights Boardwalk
This boardwalk is more than a mile long. There are two amusement piers, the Casino Pier and the Funtown Pier, that are jam packed with rides. These two piers are separated by a long stretch of boardwalk filled with games of chance, food vendors, and arcades. You can also visit the waterpark and pay a small fee to fish from the Casino Pier. During the spring, summer and fall there are many parades, festivals and other celebrations that you can take part in.
Buy
Eat
You can enjoy going out to diner, grab some takeout, or take a trip to the grocery store to stock up the rental house refrigerator without having to go far from home - or wherever it is you are staying during your time in Ortley Beach. Seaside Heights and Lavallette are also close at hand. You can even venture further afield and head over the Tom's River Bridge to the continuous line of stores found along 37.
- Boathouse Cafe, Bay Boulevard & Route 35, just past the A&P on your way to the Tom's River Bridge. 7AM-2PM daily.
- Gabriella's, Route 35 North & 1st Ave, +1 732-793-7400. Italian and other dishes served in their dining room. They also have a bar, with many TV's, where sandwiches and other light fare are served.
- Sunny Hunny, Route 35 North & 6th Ave, +1 732-793-3717. Amazing Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Eat Lavallette Ristorante & Pizzeria (some people call it Lavallette Pizza)
Extensive Italian menu, subs & Pizza too. Eat in one of their 2 dining rooms, or take out. Great food! BYO. Open for lunch and dinner. Just one mile from Seaside Heights, blocks from Ortley Beach.
Eat The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe
Sleep
Many vacationers choose to rent houses and stay in them. Seasonal rentals are available.
There are also several hotels in the area, including:
Go next
- Just to the north is Lavallette, which is much like Ortley Beach.
- Just to the south is Seaside Heights. It is much busier and has a large commercial boardwalk.
Nearby
Seaside Heights
City / town · 30 listings · 1 mi away
Toms River
City / town · 39 listings · 7 mi away
Brick Township
City / town · 5 listings · 8 mi away
Bay Head
City / town · 9 listings · 8 mi away
Point Pleasant
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Point Pleasant Beach
City / town · 45 listings · 10 mi away
Lakewood
City / town · 13 listings · 13 mi away
Lakehurst–Manchester
City / town · 1 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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