Manasquan Inlet:
Manasquan Inlet is the northern equivalent to Sebastian. With a similar jetty setup, waves bounce off the rocks and their power is corralled into a steep right wedge. But where Sebastian tends to lack distance, Manasquan can produce lengthy rides. One of the best-known breaks on the East Coast, the Inlet can take almost anything the Atlantic can dish out. With a southeast swell, it can handle up to 20-foot faces, with two fast, bowl-shaped peaks and the occasional quality left. A sand-replenishment project in the late ’90s wrought havoc with the Inlet sandbar, turning the lineup into a deep hole. As of 2000, the sand is back, and the bowl is working. It’s often the only show in town; any ripple refracts off the jetty to create a workable wave.
The always-packed parking lot attests to the diversity of visitors from other locales, but a well-defined crew of locals tends to dominate first peak on the better days. Over the years, the faces haven’t changed much. You’ll find basically the same regulars taking the pick of the litter as you would have 15 years ago. Guys like Charlie King, Scotty Duerr, T.R. Devaney, Matty McKeever, Mike Brown and Shane Boyle still rule the sets. However, on the less exciting days, the hierarchy goes out the door. With a rip running next to the jetty, the Inlet is an easy paddle, even on bigger days. Therefore, inexperienced kids, longboarders and spongers can easily stumble onto the peak.
The town consists of ’50s beach cottages, a nice marina, and some quaint neighborhoods just minutes from the sand. Like everywhere else in Jersey, it’s wall to wall in summer, and somewhat of a winter ghost town. A cozy little downtown boasts a couple of movie screens, some tasty eateries and Manasquan’s Inlet/Outlet surf shop.