Port Monmouth  (on Raritan bay)

 
FIG. 1A view of the Port Monmouth launch area looking into Raritan bay
 with the Verrazanno-Narrows Bridge and the New York skyline
on the horizon to the left (to view a photo, if browser is IE, use "control =" several times
by hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed .  If browser is Netscape or Firefox, right click on t
he photo and then select "View Image")

FIG. 1B aerial view of the Port Monmouth launch areas

This launch is located within Bayshore Waterfront Park near the intersection
 of Main St and Port Monmouth Road in Port Monmouth.  This is about 5 miles
 west of Sandy Hook and about 5 miles east of exit 117 of the GSP.  The
launch faces NNE into the Raritan bay.  

This launch is notorious for its view of the NYC skyline.  At night, the NYC
 skyline lights up producing a magnificent sight.

Directions:  From the west, exit the GSP at exit 117, travel east on NJ Rt 36
 until you approach a turn-off for "Main St Port Monmouth Keep Right".  Get
off of NJ Rt 36 here and get onto Main St by crossing NJ Rt 36 so that you
 are heading north.  Travel on Main St to an end (about 1 mile) where you
reach Port Monmouth Road.  Directly across Port Monmouth Road is a
dirt/mud/gravel parking lot.  Park in the parking lot and the path to the
launch is at the back of the parking lot.

FIG. 2 view of turn off for Main St in Port Monmouth when approaching
 from the west (from the GSP).  This turn off allows you to turn left
without having to make a left hand turn.

From the east (from Sandy Hook), travel on NJ Rt 36 West, cross the
drawbridge over the Shrewsbury River, and continue for about 5 miles until
you see the turn off for "Port Monmouth All Turns".  Exit here, and upon
reaching Main St, turn right so that you are heading north.  As above,
continue to an end (about one mile), cross Port Monmouth Road and park
in the parking lot. 

FIG. 3 view of the turn off from NJ Rt 36 west for Port Monmouth.

Best Wind Directions:  W, NW, N, NE, E

Notes:  Felix Cabrera's earlier compilation called this the "Spyhouse Launch". 
 Things have changed since then.  Although the actual spyhouse is still
standing, it is no longer called "spyhouse" and there are no longer any signs
 that point to the spyhouse.  Furthermore, most people now do not launch
at the actual spyhouse as they prefer the more secluded beach at Main St
one-quarter mile away.  You can still launch from the spyhouse (the parking
lot near Wilson Ave), but most windsurfers prefer the Main St launch.  The
 spyhouse launch area has a fishing pier, and people fish therefrom thereby
 making it less attractive to windsurfers.  Furthermore, the spyhouse area
seems to be more congested with people, making the Main St launch a more
attractive place for windsurfers.

Amenities: picnic tables, trash barrels.  At the spyhouse 2 blocks away,
there is also restrooms.

Fees:  None

Hazards:  current & swells away from shoreline

Additional Notes (by Felix Cabrera circa 1990):  "Water level can be
knee to chest-deep for about a mile out during low tide.  This is the best
 place to sail bayside when Sandy Hook is too low to sail.  It's also a
better location for NE, E and W winds, since Sandy Hook has blockage
from these directions.  Considered to be a secret spot for hard-core
sailors.  Only a handful can be seen here during strong winds.  Small
 pilings can be seen at low tide to the far left and right of the launching
 area.  Beginners should stay close to shore since the current and
swells can be challenging halfway out."

FIG. 4 view of the Port Monmouth launch area in mid winter
--note the jetties and the snow to view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE),
use "control =" to zoom in by hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser
is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image"
 

FIG. 5 view of the parking lot across Port Monmouth Road from Main St
--this shot is taken near the launch area looking back inland into
the parking lot.

FIG. 7 view of the Port Monmouth launch areas in relationship to NJ Rt 36