Forget the Boardwalk! Head To Two Mile Beach

Forget the Boardwalk! Head To Two Mile Beach
Brittany
Brittany 
Updated
| 3 min read

Down at the end of Wildwood, past the crowded beaches, the merry-go-rounds, the roller coasters, street games, and wagon rentals, sits a place oblivious to the buzz of the boardwalk. Whether you are on foot, two wheels or four, the Two Mile Beach Unit, as part of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, offers raw, undisturbed beachscape.

Here, you may see hikers, fisherman, surfers and sunbathers of all ages, or bring a camera and binoculars for wildlife viewing. This is a true beach escape! Do not expect a busy beach. This is a rare scene- a quiet, protected beach away from the hustle of the town. It is a place to sit, relax and enjoy nature by the sea.

Discover the power and preciousness of sandy and wooded beaches

forget the boardwalk! head to two mile beach | discover the power and preciousness of sandy and wooded beaches

This small chunk of the Atlantic coast provides an insight into the endangered habitat which the sprawl of the Jersey shore has created. Only a few miles of shrubby woods and indigenous wildlife remains. With a whole portion of the beach blocked out for “Birds only”, this stretch homes many rare, protected species, but the area also provides a secluded and soulful experience for any traveler at any time of the year.


As you explore the shadowed dune trails, you are able to get a sense of what this place was really meant to be and how the rest of the coast has been altered by humans. Try imagining the city is far off and you are out on a wild, uninhabited beach!

Feel the water, open your eyes

forget the boardwalk! head to two mile beach | feel the water, open your eyes

Visiting the ocean is always a good excuse to travel, but what makes this place so unique is the vegetation around it. This path is an unusual find. The trees are short and shaded but the warm sun still shines through around each turn. The air is salty and crisp but still smells like tree bark and chlorophyll. It is a pathway that will touch your soul and bring knowledge to your breath.

Once you get through the sandy trails, the beach sprawls out in front of you, the ocean wide and flat. Careful footsteps avoid prickly plants and shelled corpses. Small crab holes freckle the sand. Sit down and feel the water on your feet. Watch the crabs shyly dance in and out of their homes as they pick fights with their neighbors or go out looking for lunch. The birds seem to favor their privacy and usually stick to the restricted section of the beach, but they are never too far to see.

The waves on this part of the coast seem real and natural, strong and full but not mean or aggressive—not to say they are not dangerous. Surfing and swimming are allowed, but with no lifeguards on duty, I would advise high caution and knowledge of rip currents.

So, now you are excited! How can you get there?

forget the boardwalk! head to two mile beach | so, now you are excited! how can you get there?

To get to this lovely beach dream, follow Seaview Avenue on the way south until it dead ends. You will see an opening in the gate for pedestrians and bicycles. Turn east, towards the beach, once you are through the gate. You can find car access where Pacific Avenue meets Ocean Drive, but I recommend walking or biking from Seaview Ave (See map on attached webpage). Eventually you will see a street on your left, turn here and follow it to the parking lot.

Be sure to take the sandy Two Mile Beach Unit Trail at the southern part of the parking area. The trail does not veer off or have any other attaching trails, so just keep walking along the well-marked path and you will find yourself staring at the ocean.

If traveling by bicycle, note that the bike path follows Seaview Avenue to Rambler Road which will link to the famous Wildwood Boardwalk. This path is a little too far to walk, but makes for a good half day bike ride in combination with Two Mile Beach.

The sea is calling

Two Mile Beach is waiting for you! Pack a picnic, load your bicycles and beach bags–Don’t forget your binoculars! Take the time out from the chaos of your travels and find some peace and beauty.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Find me with my head in the clouds and my hands in the soil. I am a solo female traveler with fluid plans and a small budget. My biggest adventures include cycling, backpacking and exploring across...Read more

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