Sandy Hook Reef — public NJ reef 1.4 nm off Sea Bright
Sandy Hook Reef is a public NJDEP artificial reef 1.4 nautical miles off Sea Bright. The August 2021 map lists 1.8 sq mi and 32–60 ft — the shallowest of the popular North Jersey public reefs.
By Sebastian · Published September 14, 2026
Public-source briefing only. We have not surveyed this water. DEP reef maps are marked not for navigational purposes. Confirm corners, depths, and deployments on the current NJ Fish & Wildlife reef PDFs and a live NOAA chart before you leave the dock.
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What the state published
- Official name
- Sandy Hook Reef Site
- Distance offshore
- 1.4 nm off Sea Bright (reeflocs.pdf and August 2021 map)
- Reef area
- 1.8 square miles (August 2021 map)
- Depth range
- 32–60 ft (August 2021 map); legend bands 30–40, 40–50, 50–60 ft
- NE corner (DGPS)
- 40°23.300′ N, 73°55.800′ W — reeflocs.pdf
- NW corner (DGPS)
- 40°23.300′ N, 73°56.600′ W — reeflocs.pdf
- SE corner (DGPS)
- 40°20.880′ N, 73°55.880′ W — reeflocs.pdf
- SW corner (DGPS)
- 40°20.880′ N, 73°56.600′ W — reeflocs.pdf
Sandy Hook Reef is the close, relatively shallow public reef on the north end of New Jersey’s ocean network. NJDEP publishes the box. We are not adding extra wrecks.
Official box
“SANDY HOOK REEF SITE — 1.4 Nautical Miles off Sea Bright NJ.” August 2021 map: 1.8 sq mi, 32–60 ft, not for navigational purposes. Legend also marks a Full Access Zone.
Corners from reeflocs.pdf:
| Corner | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| NE | 40°23.300′ N | 73°55.800′ W |
| NW | 40°23.300′ N | 73°56.600′ W |
| SE | 40°20.880′ N | 73°55.880′ W |
| SW | 40°20.880′ N | 73°56.600′ W |
Named material (sample)
The state table is huge (USACE dredge rock plus concrete). One later named row: Darren Cardinal Wreck, 65-foot tug Vinik Huntress, June 9, 2020. Do not treat OCR dates like “6/24/1905” on other rows as gospel — open the PDF.
Seasons
DEP lists black sea bass, tautog, and lobster as typical reef habitat statewide. 2026 keep-windows: NJ saltwater seasons 2026.
South along the same coast: Sea Girt Reef, Shark River Reef.
Sources checked
Electronics and comms, not $10 staples
Simple sonar/GPS on a close reef
Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
$419.99 when checked
Fixed-mount VHF with GPS/DSC
Icom IC-M330G
$228.12 when checked on Amazon for the black GPS model
Backup comms
Garmin inReach Mini 2
$349.99 on Garmin when checked; Amazon listing for the Mini 2 also live