Reviews: Barnegat Harbor - B

Reviews Summary

The reviews provide a mixed but generally positive overview of the anchorage experience at Barnegat Inlet. Key points include:

1. Anchorage Conditions: Reviewers noted that the anchorage is spacious, with room for multiple boats and good holding conditions for anchors. Most reported successful anchoring, although one reviewer struggled to set their anchor.

2. Access and Navigation: The inlet can be tricky, especially for sailboats, with some confusion regarding markers leading to grounding incidents. Following chart plotters is strongly advised. The entrance is well-marked, but caution is needed during strong currents.

3. Amenities: There are nearby facilities, including restaurants and a fuel station within walking distance. A small beach area is available for dinghy docking, making it convenient for accessing land.

4. Environmental Factors: Reviewers mentioned the presence of wakes from fishing boats and commercial vessels, which can disrupt sleep, but overall, the wind conditions in the harbor were described as calm.

5. Seasonal Considerations: Some reviews indicated that the area may be less lively in the off-season, with fewer amenities available.

Overall, Barnegat Inlet is recommended as a good stop along the Jersey Shore, particularly for those who are prepared for the navigation challenges and are looking for a peaceful anchorage with access to local amenities.

Review for Barnegat Harbor - B

Reviewed by: Ron Rivieccio, Inspiration, on May 26, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.5'

Sunday Memorial day weekend. Great anchorage! Anchored just S of the point, first shot, 3:1 scope in 15 ft of water. 10 mph breeze fron NW. Marked mooring balls are for Yacht club (stipe), single white ball could not get line more then 2 ft up, covered in mussels and must be wrapped around..?? So we dropped hook north of and then next to demasted sailboat. Room for about 8+ boats. Inlet is wide, deep and well marked! Weekend fishing boats are everywhere and will wake you in the inlet, just be prepared. we came in from the north just outside the jetty, even though we came from the south (Cape May). stay on N side of inlet. occasional commercial fishing boats go by but didn't disturb us. ATT reception good. Beach at the Anchorage just north of us, popular weekend hangout but was empty when we left in the AM, partners must have gone home in the evening. Same conditions leaving the inlet Memorial day 6am, waked by everyone! Best to go fast and get outside..

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Review for Barnegat Harbor - B

Reviewed by: Jeff Abbotts, White bread, on Oct 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Little hairy coming in the channel. Got fuel at Bayview Marina, best price, then continued to where the fishing boats are docked and threw anchor for the night. Good mud hold.

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Review for Barnegat Harbor - B

Reviewed by: Francis Gravel on Oct 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 6.7'

If you can get trought the Barnegat inlet that is a hell for a sailboat, the anchorage is beautifull. Nice spot with a little beach to dock the dinghy just right of Vicking Village. Some restaurent near and a fuel station at a walking distance.

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Review for Barnegat Harbor - B

Reviewed by: Jessica Knapp, What Could Go Wrong, on Aug 28, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Follow your chart plotter! There are some confusing markers in the back of the bay and they threw us off. We were dummies and did not follow our Garmin and, sure enough, ran aground. It was a simple enough fix with 2 feet of incoming tide, but be warned.
The holding here is amazing. Our Danforth stuck like it was glued in.
This was a great place for the dogs. There are two areas to beach a dinghy: 1) at the public boat launch and 2) (Closer to this anchorage) a little beach with great tie off just South of Viking Village. There is a little market and about 4 or 5 restaurants within walking distance. I consider 2 miles walking distance.
In this anchorage, there is a commercial dock that sends out commercial boats at all different times. Sleeping was only interrupted by the noises. Wakes were minimal, if at all and wind in the harbor was very calm for us.

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Review for Barnegat Harbor - B

Reviewed by: David Rowe on Sep 6, 2022
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.5'

We pulled in here to anchor and had to leave. I could not get our plow anchor to set. Tried in several places and used every trick in my book (and I know a lot of them), and it just would not set—it wouldn't even bite. This was a time before I had a secondary anchor of a different type to try. If we ever return, I'll just break out my Fortress. Wind was building and the day was fading, so we moved along and ended up on the Forked River, across the bay. I was disappointed. It looked like a worthy and interesting stop.

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Review for Barnegat Harbor - B

Reviewed by: Bret Butler, Lucy 2, on Oct 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Came in with west winds no problem. Stay on north side of entrance. 15+ feet all the way to back. Anchored in 15 ft. Held through the night, there were 6 other vessels tied to mooring balls. Did not see any other boat anchored. Arrived mid - October and the town is pretty much shut down with the exception of a nice little restaurant. Great protected place to spend the night.

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Review for Barnegat Harbor - B

Reviewed by: Tom Hale on Sep 3, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Barnegat is a good stop along the Jersey Shore. The inlet as of September 2018 is straight forward and easy. Note avoid entrance with strong ebb current particularly if the wind is in the east . There is 20 feet in the entrance and 12-15 feet all the way back to this anchorage. There is a small dinghy dock at the boat ramp

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