Nelson Marine Basin -- Location and Driving Directions
 

See below for Driving Directions, and Directions by Water.

 

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Directions:

From the North
Exit 82 off GS Parkway; go east on Rt. 37 to 6th traffic light, approx. 2.9 miles. Bear right before light and make a right on to West End Ave. Follow West End into Island Heights to the top of the hill to a four-way stop sign. Continue to the second stop sign and make a left on to Ocean Ave. Follow Ocean through a four way intersection to an "S" bend in the road. Make the third right after "S" bend on to Lake Drive. Bear right at the bottom of the hill and continue to the end.  When you get to the water, turn left into our lot and find our dock and office on the water side of the building.

From the East (Rt 35, Lavalette, Seaside Heights area)
Route 35 to Rt. 37 west, then over the Barnegat Bay bridge.  Continue west for approximately 2 miles after the bridge. Look out for the large Eckert Drugs on your right. Next light is Vaughn Ave.  Exit to the right then cross over to the other side of Rt 37 and the road changes from Vaughn to West End Ave. Follow West End into Island Heights to the top of the hill to a four-way stop sign. Continue to the second stop sign and make a left on to Ocean Ave. Follow Ocean through a four way intersection to an "S" bend in the road. Make the third right after "S" bend on to Lake Drive. Bear right at the bottom of the hill and continue to the end.  When you get to the water, turn left into our lot and find our dock and office on the water side of the building.

From the West and Philadelphia
Route 70 East to Rt 37 east (intersection is in Lakehurst, NJ).  Continue east on Rt. 37 until pass under Garden State Parkway. Then contuniue east to 6th traffic light, approx. 2.9 miles. Bear right before light and make a right on to West End Ave. Follow West End into Island Heights to the top of the hill to a four-way stop sign. Continue to the second stop sign and make a left on to Ocean Ave. Follow Ocean through a four way intersection to an "S" bend in the road. Make the third right after "S" bend on to Lake Drive. Bear right at the bottom of the hill and continue to the end.  When you get to the water, turn left into our lot and find our dock and office on the water side of the building.


Directions by Water
Proceed N or S in Barnegat Bay to the vicinity of the Rt. 37 (Mathis) bridge.  Pick up the Toms River Channel going West from Good Luck Point.  Follow the channel to red (lighted) nun #10 and look to the right side of the river for a large fleet of moored sailboats.  The entrance channel for Nelson's is just East of that fleet.  Keep to the left after entering the marina area.
 
 
Nelson Marine Basin is ideally located in a protected cove off the Toms River in Island Heights NJ.  It has convenient access to the best sailing areas on the Bay and is roughly equi-distant between the Manasquan Inlet and the Barnegat Inlet.  

Barnegat Bay is the premier sailing and boating location in New Jersey, and is one of the best locations for sailing on the East Coast.  Sea breezes routinely come up each day in the summer out of the SE to provide excellent sailing for dingys up to larger boats well into the 30 foot range.  Unlike the Chesapeake and LI Sound, the wind blows well all summer.  Water depth is said to be "stingy" by people who don't really know the area, but people who sail the bay do not often feel constrained by depth.  Besides, the bottom is generally soft mud or sand and is "forgiving".