Good afternoon from Bay Head and Mantoloking,
Summer is in full swing on the barrier island, and a lot is happening between now and Labor Day. Here’s what’s on the calendar, what’s making news, and the dates to save, like the Glimmer of Hope on August 8th at dusk at Twilight Lake, and the 50th Annual Bay Head Fire Company Clam Bake on August 15th.
If you missed out on July 4th fireworks, you still have a few more chances. Brick’s SummerFest concerts still run on Thursday, July 23rd, and Thursday, July 30th at Windward Beach (265 Princeton Avenue) with fireworks following at dark (about 9 - 9:30 pm.). Jenkinsons has fireworks every Thursday night about 9:30 pm through September 3rd.
On our return from viewing the Tall Ships at Sandy Hook, we were lucky enough to encounter a pod of dolphins. Take a pause, and visit with us.
NEWS
E-Bike Safety
The Bay Head Police Department will be holding a Bike Safety and E-Bike Education Day on Saturday, July 25th from 10 am - 1 pm at the Karge Street Beach Entrance. This event is designed to educate the public about New Jersey’s e-bike laws, and answer any questions you may have about your e-bike, including whether it just needs to be registered (all e-bikes must be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission) or if both registration and insurance are required. This is strictly an educational event. The Bay Head Police Department’s goal is to provide information, promote safe riding, and help ensure everyone understands the current laws. Please attend, and feel free to bring your e-bike with you if you are not sure what class it falls under.
Low-Speed Electric Bike (Class 1) - Pedal assist only; Motor cuts off at 20 mph
Motorized Bicycle (Class 2 & 3) - Throttle-assist or pedal assist up to 28 mph; Maximum 750W
E-Moto Dirt Bike (Over 28 MPH) - Requires motorcycle license or endorsement (Age 17+)
You can learn more about the NJ E-Bike Laws on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website.
NO E-BIKES ARE ALLOWED ON BAY HEAD SIDEWALKS (Borough Ordinance 222-30)
Market of Point Pleasant Beach
The new grocery store in Point Pleasant Beach, The Market of Point Pleasant Beach IS OPEN in the former Stop and Shop location at 505 Richmond Avenue. The store will hold its official Grand Opening celebrations and ribbon cutting on Friday, July 24th at 9 am. The Market is planning a fun-filled day of shopping, free food and product samples, giveaways for the first 200 Shoppers, and prizes for the whole community. Bring your family and friends, and help the Market of Point Pleasant Beach celebrate. Whether you're stopping in for groceries or just joining the festivities, there's something for everyone.
FiOS
It has been a long time coming, but Verizon Fios is now available in most of Bay Head and Mantoloking. There is now an alternative to Comcast/Xfinity for TV and Internet services!
Air BnB Fee Increase
Air BnB will soon charge a 15.5% flat fee on all rentals. Currently, Air BnB hosts and guests both pay service fees. The host sets one price, but guests see a higher price that includes the service fees. To simplify pricing, Air BnB will be combining both fees into a single 15.5% service fee on September 15th. The owner of the property will now pay all service fees. (The 15.5% fee is based on Air BnB’s global average service fees).
Most realtors in our area only charge a 10 - 12% commission on rentals, and with that commission also coordinate other requested rental related services. Examples include photography, marketing, showings, coordination of required inspections, and facilitation of check-in and check-out. You are getting more services at a far lower rate listing your vacation rental with a realtor. Also, by using a real estate broker, the owner (landlord) is exempt from the 11.625% hotel tax that the state charges. If you would like to offer your home for rent next season, please let us know. Now is the time to start planning - we already have tenants signing leases for 2027.
Recent Storm - Waterspout in Mantoloking
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a waterspout formed on Barnegat Bay near Mantoloking on Saturday afternoon based on a report from a trained weather spotter.
According to the NWS, the waterspout developed on the west side of Barnegat Bay, just north of the Mantoloking Bridge, and it then tracked southeast across the bridge, briefly weakening before becoming visible again over the bay. It dissipated as it reached land near the Mantoloking Yacht Club, but not before causing damage to a tent that was on the Yacht Club property.
This is the second NWS confirmed waterspout associated with Saturday’s storms, following a previously confirmed waterspout off Ocean Grove.
Reminders
Bay Head Summer Recreation Camp (Monday - Thursday, June 29 - August 6, 9 am - 12 pm) at Bay Head School. Camp is for children ages 5 (on or Before July 5th) through 12. Registration Information.
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, July 27th.
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.
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, August 2nd.
Bay Head Council Meeting - Monday, August 3, 7 pm.
Mantoloking Planning & Zoning Board Meeting - Thursday, August 6, 6:30 pm.
Bay Head Environmental Commission Meeting - Tuesday, August 11, 6:30 pm.
Bay Head Mayor’s Walk & Talk - Wednesday, August 12, 9 am.
Mantoloking Council Meeting - Tuesday, August 18, 5:30 pm.
Bay Head Planning Board - Wednesday, August 19, 6:30 pm.
Mantoloking Environmental Commission Meeting - Tuesday, August 25, 4:30 pm.
MARKET:
We continue to see good activity in all of the local markets that we serve - Bay Head, Mantoloking, and beyond. A few highlights from the last several weeks:
Our listing at 202 Lake Avenue received multiple offers and sold for $446,000 more than asking price.
We have a new listing at 138 Woodland Avenue, Bay Head asking $3,900,000
634 East Avenue (double lot) has been relisted at a new price of $8,500,000
1107 Barnegat Lane, Mantoloking has closed at a price of $2,970,000
Well 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 continues to make proper pricing and marketing even more important!
For further insights and market statistics, please visit our blog to read our July Market Update: Is This Summer Market Different in Bay Head or Mantoloking? Here's What the Data Says
OF NOTE:
Bay Head’s Mayor’s Cup Races will be held August 1st, on Twilight Lake. Canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards race on Twilight Lake (Corner of Twilight & Lake Ave, Bay Head). Registration begins at 5:00 pm (Pre-Register online). Races Start at 5:30 pm. A cookout will follow the races.
Music in the Park will also be held August 1st in Centennial Park at 6:00 pm.
National Night Out will be held August 4th. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police - community partnerships and camaraderie. Bay Head’s, sponsored by the Bay Head Police Department will be held at Centennial Park.
Rubber Ducks! The All Saints Church Duck Derby Race will be Saturday, August 8th, 11 am - 3 pm. Sponsor a duck for $10 or a “Quack Pack” of 3 ducks for $25., and a 50/50 drawing. Tickets available at All Saints Church, 500 Lake Avenue. Admission to the Derby is free. Sponsored by Save Barnegat Bay, proceeds support All Saints Ministries.
“Glimmer of Hope” will be held on Saturday, August 8 (Rain Date Sunday, August 9). This annual event is a gathering where attendees pre-purchase a floating paper lantern and personally adorn it with your own hope, wish or prayer of reflection. Join the community at Twilight Lake and set your personal reflection afloat. Express yourself, pay tribute to a loved one, or simply reflect. Lanterns for Glimmer of Hope can be purchased for $10 at Manasquan Bank in Bay Head, or at The Grenville.
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.
Beach House Classic Surf Shop offers daily surfboard and paddleboard lessons and rentals. Surf Shop Hours - 9am - 5pm.
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.
In last month’s newsletter, we asked you what your favorite restaurant is, and the answer we received was Poached Pear. Some of our favorites also include Red’s Lobster Pot, Harvest, and B2 Bistro.
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 elaborate on any of the topics in this update. Would it be helpful to sit on the porch, or meet for coffee for a quick one-on-one local update?
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 second half of the summer!
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.