Good afternoon from Bay Head and Mantoloking,
As summer winds down, and Fall begins, there are still a lot of events and fantastic weather in September. If you ask us, this is the best time of year! In this edition, you’ll find events to add to your calendar, news from the towns, and ideas to make summer last just a little longer. If you make it up to the beach, keep a sharp eye out - dolphins and whales have both been seen recently!
If you are looking for a fun summer wrap-up - Jenkinsons will hold its final fireworks display on Thursday, September 3rd at about 9:30 pm. You can view these from the beach in Bay Head, or Point Pleasant Beach - or out on the water - from the inlet, ocean, or near the Shrimp Box.
A recent flight over Bay Head, from Twilight Lake, heading south.
NEWS
Responsible Fishing
Both Bay Head and Mantoloking boroughs are enforcing responsible fishing laws in response to a social media trend of anglers baiting sharks close to the beach to reel them in for photos.
Per state law, no drone shark fishing: You may not use a drone to carry or drop bait, hooks, or fishing lines off the beach to assist in catching sharks or other wildlife. All anglers are responsible for complying with all applicable New Jersey and federal fishing and shark regulations. Offenders will be charged with a disorderly persons offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:40:28(d) - New Jersey prohibits knowingly operating or using an unmanned aircraft system to take or assist in the taking of wildlife.
While fishing for sharks isn’t illegal, there is concern that bait is drawing predators close to swimmers. Please use common sense and consideration for your neighbors.
Farm Markets
A number of farm markets are still running, so you can still get farm-fresh produce and other items.
Point Pleasant Beach FRESH Farmers and Makers Market - NJ Transit Parking Lot, 317 Cooks Road - Sundays 9 am - 1 pm until September 13th.
Bay Head Farmer’s Market - Bridge Avenue Municipal Parking Lot, Thursdays noon - 4 pm through September.
Brick Farmer’s Market - Windward Beach, 265 Princeton Avenue, Saturdays 8:30 am - 1:30 pm until October 3rd.
Local Fall Festivals
As Labor Day marks the end of summer, it also marks the beginning of Fall activities. Take a September Saturday to visit some of the local fairs and festivals.
Brielle Day Craft Show - Brielle Park - September 12th - 9 am - 4 pm
Lavallette Founder’s Day - Bay Boulevard and Philadelphia Avenue (Gazebo and Bayfront) - September 12th - 11 am - 5 pm
Ocean County Irish Festival - Robert J. Miller Airpark Berkley Township - September 12th - 11 am - 7 pm
Point Pleasant Beach Festival of the Sea - Downtown Point Pleasant Beach - September 19th (Rain Date: September 20th) - 10 am - 7 pm
Spring Lake Italian Festival - Morris Avenue (from Third to Fourth Avenues) September 19th (Rain Date: September 26th) - 12 pm - 5 pm
Offering Your Home for Summer Rental?
Now is the time to think about renting your house for 2027. Tenants are already inquiring and making their plans. Also, AirBnB’s new fee structure takes effect September 15th, combining host and guest service fees into a single 15.5% charge paid by the property owner. If you’re weighing whether to self-manage or list with a realtor in 2027, now is good time to reach out to us and have that conversation. Also note that AirBnB is required to collect sales tax - realtors are not. We already have tenants signing leases for next season. If you are sure of your plans, and want to list your house for rent, start here.
If you are thinking about spending a week or two (or longer) here next summer, now is the time to get your request in. Inquire here, and we can see what we can find to meet your needs.
Reminders
The Mantoloking Gas Blower Ban is currently in effect and ends on September 8th. Please make sure any landscapers you may use are aware of this restriction.
Bay Head Police will continue to strictly enforce the 2-hour time parking limit as posted throughout town.
MEETINGS AND EVENTS:
Bay Head Community Fitness Walk - Mondays at 7 am - Bridge Avenue. The next will be Monday, August 31st.
Bay Head Farmer’s Market - Thursdays 12 pm - 4 pm - Bridge Avenue. The Farmer’s Market runs through September.
Beach Yoga at Johnson Street Beach in Bay Head. Weekly from 8am - 9am on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays through Labor Day. $10 per class. The last session will be September 7th.
Bay Head Beach Community Sunset Gathering and Twilight Lake Sunset Paddle - half hour before Sunset on the first Sunday of the Month. The next will be Sunday, September 2nd. Paddles run until October, weather permitting.
Mantoloking Planning & Zoning Board Meeting - Thursday, September 3rd,
6:30 pm.Bay Head Council Meeting - Tuesday, September 8th, 7 pm.
Bay Head Environmental Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 15th,
6:30 pm.Mantoloking Council Meeting - Tuesday, September 15th, 5:30 pm.
Bay Head Planning Board - Wednesday, September 16th, 6:30 pm.
Mantoloking Environmental Commission Meeting - Tuesday, September 22, 4:30 pm.
MARKET:
The Bay Head and Mantoloking market remains healthy in all segments - at this moment, the top segment of the market remains somewhat cool, and there is nothing available in the lower than $2,500,000 price point. Though there is some inventory in the “middle” of the market, inventory remains scarce there as well. There are two recent Mantoloking bayfront listings - inventory has been rare there as well.
1087 Ocean Avenue, Mantoloking has had a $1,000,000 price reduction.
We have a recent listing at 138 Woodland Avenue, Bay Head asking $3,900,000
40 Karge Street, Bay Head, recently sold for $4,200,000, roughly $200,000 more than asking price.
571 Main Avenue recently sold for $3,800,000, approximately $200,000 less than asking price.
Properly priced homes and properties continue to sell, sometimes over asking price, and with multiple offers. Other homes sit, reduce their asking price, and most often ultimately sell for less than they could have. All of this makes the right starting price and best possible marketing even more important.
For further insights and market statistics, please visit our blog to read our August Market Update: What Changed in July 2026?
OF NOTE:
The last Jenkinson’s Movies on the Beach will be Tuesday, September 1st at dusk (around 7:45 - 8:00 pm) at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. The movie will be Jaws.
Mantoloking’s next bulk pickup will be September 3rd. Items for bulk pickup should be left out at the curb the evening before. They should not be placed with your regular household trash.
Need a rainy day idea? Lokal Brewing Company at 2257 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant is open Monday - Thursday, 4 pm - 9 pm; Friday, 2pm - 10 pm, Saturday 12 pm - 10 pm and Sunday, 12 pm - 8 pm. Kid and dog friendly!
Beach Badges are still required through Labor Day. After that, Bay Head and Mantoloking beaches will be badge-free for fall walks and sunrises. Please also note, that as students return to school, that affects the number of available lifeguards. Please be mindful and swim safely if lifeguards are off duty.
Bay Head Pickleball Court Reservations and Clinics - 4 Courts at Bay Head Centennial Park. Reserve via Community Pass at bayheadnj.org. Residents: $25/hour (72-hour advance booking). Non-residents: $75/hour (24-hour advanced booking). Summer Schedule: April 1 - September 30.
The Point Pleasant Beach - Manasquan Tug of War will be held on October 10th to benefit Tunnel to Towers Foundation. This is a great event, with more details to come.
LOCAL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
A selection of Ed's local photos from the last month can be found here. You can see some of our recent videos on our Youtube channel (and you may want to subscribe to our channel for future updates).
REAL-TIME TEXT UPDATES
If you would be open to receiving occasional Bay Head and Mantoloking updates from us via text message, you can opt-in here. These may include local news and events, weather, emergencies, real estate activity, and other items of interest. Typically no more than one message per month.
IN PERSON UPDATES
We're happy to discuss any of the topics in this update, or answer your questions on almost any subject! There’s still time to meet for a cup of coffee, have lunch, or even meet at the beach! And if you’re not local, we can certainly talk on the phone, or schedule a Zoom.
You can simply reply to this email, or call or text us at 732-779-5088 to see when might work.
We hope that you’re looking forward to the final days of summer - though - as we all know, September is great here!
Suzie and Ed
P.S. Who do you know that is considering a move to (or from) the area and might appreciate a local’s perspective on the market before they make a decision?
All statistics are per Monmouth/Ocean MLS as of 6/25/26.