WILDWOOD, NJ – The Wildwoods, NJ, a barrier island off New Jersey’s Cape May County peninsula, is known for being a haven for fishing, boating, and water sports enthusiasts.
The waters off the Wildwoods are bustling with commercial and sport fishing boats filled with the day’s catch. Cape May County’s commercial fishing port is the largest in New Jersey and one of the largest on the East Coast. The waters off the shores of the Wildwoods are known to be rich in flounder, weakfish, blackfish, bluefish, and striped bass. Visitors and locals alike enjoy taking the entire family out for a day of boating and fishing throughout the warmer months of the year.
Charter and party boat captains in the Wildwoods offer a variety of excursions, ranging from night fishing trips for bluefish or drum fish to full-day excursions in search of tuna, marlin, and swordfish. Fishing boats typically offer four, six, or eight-hour trips. Those who find themselves in need of fishing equipment are gladly outfitted with the necessary rigs and bait. In addition to fishing charters, there are several sightseeing boats and charter rentals in the Wildwoods. Each captain is well-versed in the local marine environment and has a near-perfect record for finding schools of bottle-nosed dolphins and often whales that make the local waters their home in the summer.
The Wildwoods also offer tiki boat cruises that take you and five guests along the shore of the Wildwoods for a private party, restaurant hopping, a sunset cruise, early morning, and evening tours, and more! In addition, several locations around the Wildwoods also offer pontoon kayak and SUP rentals for a more private and/or self-touring experience.
Crabbing is a fun, low-cost activity the entire family can enjoy from area bulkheads, fishing piers, or from a boat using nets, cages, or handlines. There are bait and tackle shops throughout the Wildwoods where personnel will help the most inexperienced crabbers choose bait and equipment and provide suggestions and tips for bringing in a good catch that can feed an entire family a fresh blue claw crab dinner.
For thrill-seekers, the Wildwoods offer high-speed water excursions onboard large speedboats that race along the shores, giving passengers an exhilarating and often refreshing glimpse of the island and its environs from the ocean. Personal watercraft vehicles (wave runners) can also be rented by the hour or day along the beach and bay. Windsurfing is another popular activity for water lovers, especially in Wildwood Crest’s vast Sunset Lake, which has ample space and wind without the wake of the ocean. Parasailing along the coastline is yet another option offering an unmatched maritime experience.
Whether you opt for a full day of fishing, a sightseeing dinner cruise, or a few hours zipping over the waves, the Wildwoods offer a prime location surrounded by the bounty and beauty of the sea. Many of the seafood markets throughout the island can provide the fresh treasured catches that got away. The Wildwoods are the perfect destination for fishing, boating, and water sports enthusiasts looking for a fun and exciting day out on the water.