Vacation rentals in Lavallette

The beachside borough of Lavallette is decidedly laid-back and focused on the simpler aspects of shore life on this barrier island, with a quiet boardwalk and an easygoing take on beach fun on its ocean and bay sides (including a smoke-free beach). The area is also popular for its saltwater crabbing and fishing, plus tennis, bocce, and shuffleboard. The summer family activities are plentiful, ranging from beach treasure hunts to Tuesday night movies. Add to that beach eats like ice cream and bakeries, and Lavallette has all the ingredients for a perfectly mellow summer getaway.

While the Jersey Shore overall tends to consider its summer kickoff to be Memorial Day weekend, Lavallette officially starts its summer beach season (and requires beach tags) in mid-June with a Kickoff to Summer event, featuring food trucks and a race. Every summer weekend brings its own kind of festivities, including the Town Wide Garage Sale, the Patriotic Bike Parade, Summer Concerts at the Gazebo, Movies on the Bay, and a fireworks and music spectacular for Independence Day. The beach season starts to fade away over Labor Day weekend, but the crowds have started to stretch into September — which also brings the Lavallette Founders Day community celebration with rides, music, and entertainment. Winters tend to be cold and windy.

Lavallette Beach

The main draw to the city is its beaches, with the Lavallette Beach Patrol on duty at nine ocean beaches and one bay beach in the borough. Colored flags designate proper areas for sanctioned activities, with swimming allowed between the white flags, boogie boards and rafts between the white and blue flags, and kayaking and surfing between the green flags. (Yellow indicates restrictions, and red means no swimming is allowed.) The Beach Patrol also hosts a lifeguard tournament and 5K race in July, and a mile ocean swim in August.

Lavallette Boardwalk

Unlike most of the Jersey Shore’s boardwalks, the mile-long stretch here is non-commercial, allowing for a serene stroll to take in the beach calm. The gazebo midway provides a rest stop, whether you choose to soak in the ocean air or practice some beachfront meditation.

Sunset Beach

Sure, there’s the Seaside Heights Boardwalk Promenade packed with arcade games and amusement rides, but for a real thrill, head to the township’s Sunset Beach on the bayside. Take in the nautical scene in the channel, punctuated with egrets and herons on the island across the way, or enjoy the shallow wading at the beach.