Barnegat Inlet Do's & Don'ts

Really not much to say if you stay in the channel. It was a hundred times worse many years ago before the ACOE dredged & installed add'l getty. It's actually quite decent; well marked & plenty of water between the buoys. If coming out to sea & heading north; you can cut north just beyond the Red tower. Plenty of water.
 
When we went out the channel last year, there were some shallow spots well inside prior to being within the inlet "proper" everyone except outboards was backing down. I don't recall where the tide was at that point.
 
two caveats....if you navigate at high tide, don't cut the north jetty.....there are rocks just beneath the surface between the red marker and the end of the taller rocks.....at low tide you'll see them no problem. second....once through the channel, or on the way out, the north passage to barnegat bay, double creek channel, is VERY shallow just outside the buoys. even inside the channel you have to be careful.
 
Ditto the comments.
We went out the Inlet, do not cut north until well past the outside marker as Dominic says.
The inlet itself is fine, you may see some breakers but just power up to go over them or ride on the back of them if coming in.
Once inside, follow the channel, there is a shortcut some people take, don't follow them.
Also, your GPS will show no buoys in there. They move so often that they are not on the charts, so its all visual!
 
Re Red Tower at end of north jetty. I stated: "If coming out to sea & heading north; you can cut north just beyond the Red tower. Plenty of water.
Beyond w/b east of buoy; not west & not before buoy.
 
You may see some locals cut through the sand bar (unmarked) just north west of the lighthouse...don't risk it. Make sure you proceed west of the lighthouse to the intersection near the first gas dock before heading north.
 
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