NYCkayaker Island Beach/ Barnegat Lighthouse

[Lee Reiser/Leona Fontaine]

The Island Beach NJ - Barnegat Lighthouse Tour

Dear Members:
   Please join me for this trip, which I am posting for Sun., May 11th. The area is Island Beach State Park, which is located south of Seaside Park, NJ. It's a natural wilderness area known for sedge islands, pristine scenery and dunes with numerous bird species including, forty nesting pairs of osprey and some Peregrine falcons. There are pelicans here as well. (I have even seen them as late as October) There are diamond back terrapins here too.
   The numerous restaurants near the south side of the inlet allow for a pleasant midday break. As an added bonus, we can tour the historic Barnegat Lighthouse by climbing to the top to see the fantastic panoramic view. This lighthouse is the 2nd oldest on the east coast. There are also nature trails to explore. On Saturday, I am guiding a scientific expedition nearby, with Bruce Aptowicz’s help, to Double Trouble State Park, so I won’t be able to take your call for info at that time. 
After 7:00 am Sunday, call my cell phone.

DIRECTIONS TO THE DINER AND LAUNCH
   
   Take the Garden State Parkway South to exit 74 Lacey Road, (Route 614) and head East to Route 9. If you turn right, (South) onto Route 9, the put-in is only a couple miles away.  At  9:00 am, we will all meet for breakfast at the Forked River Diner, 317 Route 9, which is located about a 1/2 mile South from the intersection of Route 9 and Lacey Road and on the left (East) side of Route 9. After which, the local directions to the free launch on the Oyster Creek in Waretown is as follows: 
   Take Route 9 south past the Oyster Creek Power Generating Plant and make a left onto Bay Parkway. Drive 0.35 miles and turn left at the V in road (street is Dock Ave, but there's no sign at the V). Go 50 feet and turn left onto a gravel/dirt
road. Launching a bit rough (there's no ramp or beach), but it's doable.
 
This is an individual, not a group event. I will assume no liability for this trip. Strong cross-currents, wind and heavy boat traffic
        INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED PADDLERS ONLY PLEASE
  Everyone going on this trip should know their limitations and have all proper and necessary gear.
  Call or email me if you plan on attending, Home - (845) 352-0162,  Cell - (914)374-7954
                                                           
     Lee Reiser

Tides for Oyster Creek starting with May 11, 2008. 
Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
           /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible

Su  11     High   4:44 AM     0.3   5:45 AM     Set  1:34 AM      36
    11      Low  11:29 AM     0.0   8:01 PM    Rise 11:51 AM
    11     High   5:29 PM     0.3
    11      Low  11:38 PM     0.0

Tides for Island Beach, Sedge Islands starting with May 11, 2008. 
Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
           /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible

Su  11     High   4:14 AM     0.4   5:45 AM     Set  1:34 AM      36
    11      Low  11:49 AM     0.0   8:01 PM    Rise 11:50 AM
    11     High   4:59 PM     0.3
    11      Low  11:58 PM     0.1

Tides for Barnegat Inlet, USCG Station starting with May 11, 2008. 
Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
           /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible

Su  11     High   1:02 AM     2.5   5:45 AM     Set  1:34 AM      36
    11      Low   7:51 AM     0.1   8:01 PM    Rise 11:51 AM
    11     High   1:47 PM     2.2
    11      Low   8:00 PM     0.5