Sandy Hook (2) 

   
FIG. 1A land view view of the Lot C launch 

FIG. 1B aerial view of the Sandy Hook area

Overview:  Sandy Hook launches are located within
Gateway National Recreation Area (Sandy Hook Unit). 
There are actually two launches here, the most popular being
"Lot C" and the second being "Horseshoe Cove".  The Lot C
launch is the most beginner friendly of the two, and is most
favorable for S and SE winds while Horseshoe cove is further out
into Raritan bay and is most favorable in N and NW winds
and/or when there is low tide.  Nevertheless, most people
use the Lot C launch, even for NW winds.

Directions:  From the south, take the NJ Turnpike North 60
miles from the Delaware Memorial Bridge and exit at exit 7A
I-195.  Travel east on I 195 about 27 miles to the Garden State
Parkway (GSP).  Travel North on the GSP to exit 105.  Travel
east on NJ Rt 36 to the coast, turn left onto Ocean Ave, and
travel another 5 miles North on Ocean Ave.  Before crossing
the draw bridge over the Shrewsbury river, turn right
into the National Park. 

From the North, exit GSP at exit 117, travel on NJ Rt 36 E about
10 miles.  Upon crossing drawbridge over the Shrewsbury river,
turn left into the National Park.

For both:  Pass the National Park toll booths and park in lot C
on the right about 1.5 miles from where you leave NJ Rt 36. 
For Horseshoe cove, continue traveling north until you reach
a fork.  Upon reaching a fork, bear left and the road becomes
 two laned.  There are two small lots, one immediately after
the fork and the other  1000 feet further down.  Either of
them can be used for parking, but you might find
the second one the best.

Fees:  From Memorial day weekend til Labor day, the entry
fee is $10.  An annual pass can be bought for $50.  Outside
of this time period, there is no fee.  Do note that on hot
summer weekend days, the park can fill up from late morning
until the afternoon when bathers start to leave.  When the
 park fills up, you are temporarily denied access.

Regulations:  Use crosswalks to carry your gear across the
road, rig on the river side and not on the parking lot side

FIG. 2 view of the walkway from Lot C to the launch--you are
supposed to use the crosswalk to cross the road and then assemble
 your rig in the sand at the other side
to view this 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"

Best Wind Directions:  NW, N, S and SE

Hazards:  1) large wooden poles to the right (north) of the launch
become submerged during high tide--be aware of them, 2) motor boats
 in the channel in general do not practice seamanship and do not yield
to windsurfers, 3) during low tide, the Lot C launch becomes almost
useless as sandbars emerge, the water gets very shallow, and the
channel becomes small, 4) the park can close their doors at around
11AM on a hot weekend summer morning because it fills up, not to
 be reopened til the afternoon when people start to leave, 5) the
currents may be more difficult at the Horseshoe cove launch.

FIG. 3 view of the wooden pole hazard at low tide at the
Lot C launch to view this 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"

Amenities:  Showers, bathrooms and food are available during
the summer season adjacent to Lot C

Notes:  The Lot C launch is best for sea breezes on hot summer
afternoons where the wind is southerly, and both Lot C and Horseshoe
 cove are good for when cold fronts come through and the wind is
NW or N.  When the tide is low, it may be necessary to use the
Horseshoe cove launch. The best months are May, October
and November, with June a possibility.  Sandy Hook is a favorite
 for New Yorkers who windsurf.

FIG. 4 a view of the Shrewsbury river at Sandy Hook in Autumn
with the iconic eyesore Eastpointe Condominium building on the
hill in the background

FIG. 5 view of the Horseshoe cove launch area in winter
to view this 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"

I have found that it is best to park in the second (northern most)
 parking lot for the Horseshoe cove launch since the first parking lot
(marked as the Horseshoe cove Lot L parking Lot) requires you to
have to climb over large erosion controlling boulders to reach the
water.  This can be extremely difficult, especially when
you are carrying gear. 

FIG. 6 View looking west from the Horseshoe cove launch
to view this 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. 7 view of Sandy Hook from Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook
--Lot C is to the right near where the tree branches obstruct the
shore line and the Horseshoe cove launch is towards the left
of the photo to view this 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")

Additional Notes by Felix Cabrera circa 1990: "Sandy Hook bay
offers many launch sites from ocean sailing to bay sailing.  Lot C
is the most common location for NW, S and SE winds.  Great jumping
 swells on northwesterlies.  Showers, bathrooms and food are available
during the summer season.  A Wind Hotline meter is located at the
Seagull's Nest Restaurant.  Although the best sailing is in the
afternoon, arrive early on a nice weekend day to be sure that you
can get in - the park closes when full by 11:00 a.m. on hot sunny
days.  Flat water is available in the shallow bay close to shore. 
The windiest months are May, October & November.  Cautions
[include] beware of boat traffic.  [Regarding the Horseshoe cove
launch,] rangers prefer that sailors use Lot C but they usually won't
 bother you.  This is a much wider open sail area than Lot C.  A
small reef just offshore can provide wave sailing on a strong
northwesterly.  The water level is deep just beyond the reef. 
Great location when the tide is too low at Lot C.  Cautions
[at Horseshoe cove include] open bay very deep (over 30 feet).
Large swells and small waves with strong currents. 
 Intermediate to advanced sailors."