Jersey Shore boat tours let you get out on the water
You don't have to own a boat to enjoy the many pleasures of cruising the waterways of the Jersey Shore
There are few ways to better beat the summer heat and enjoy nature than by spending time on the bounding main, feeling the cool ocean spray on your face while watching dolphins frolic in the foamy water.
But even if you don't have access to a privately owned craft, the many pleasures of boating at the Jersey Shore are still accessible, thanks to a variety of public excursions. Some are aboard turbo-charged racing boats that combine dolphin viewing with the charge of a thrill ride as they hurtle atop the ocean waves at speeds of more than 30 mph. Others provide a more leisurely experience, benignly gliding along bays and inlets.
One such service is the Stormin’ Speedboat & Dolphin Watch, which operates out of Ocean City. The Stormin’ is a 33-foot, 14-passenger catamaran equipped with twin 315-horsepower diesel engines capable of hitting a top speed of 45mph (however, federal regulations keep it somewhat slower).
On a recent morning, owner-captain Jim Ebner took a small group out for 50 minutes or so of marine merry-making.
As Ebner slowly pulled the boat out of the dock and onto Great Egg Harbor Bay, he spent a few minutes going over the required safety instructions. The Stormin' cruised beneath the Ocean Drive Bridge into Great Egg Harbor Inlet on the northern end of Ocean City. The no-wake inlet soon enough gave way to the Atlantic Ocean, where, after pointing the boat in a southerly direction, Ebner opened up the engines and, with a vroom-vroom of the engines, the ride commenced in earnest as an upbeat mix of pop, rock, R&B and hip-hop played on the craft's sound system.
While there were a few coccyx-stinging moments as the boat bounced off some whitecaps, the Stormin' offered a mostly smooth ride (on days when the ocean is too rough, an alternate, back-bay route to the Great Egg Harbor River is taken). The speed of the boat allowed a continuous rush of wonderfully cool air to take the edge off the sunlight that streamed through a sky that was cloudless save for a few cotton-ball puffs that broke up the endless canopy of azure. Adding to the comfort level was the occasional bracing spray of water on the face (there is little danger of getting soaked).
But the ride's real raison d'etre came into focus when Ebner stopped the boat so the passengers could eyeball a small pod of dolphins that frolicked about 250 yards or so off the beach that fronted the O.C. boardwalk's commercial strip.
Usually, the best that can be hoped for is to catch a glimpse of a dorsal fin or two as the sea-mammals break the water line to take in air. But on this day, there were several sightings of dolphins jumping well above the sea and exposing their entire bodies, much to the delight of the passengers.
Dolphin sightings are common along the boat's course (it heads back to its home dock once it reaches the 50th Street beach). But, noted Ebner, if no dolphins are spotted on the normal route, he will cruise farther down the shoreline.
Among the satisfied customers was Debbie Graham, of Bensalem, who was effusive in her praise of the Stormin' cruise.
“It’s the best thing I ever did,” she insisted. “It’s a head rush. It made me feel good. I like being . . . on the ocean. And the dolphins!”
Jersey Shore boat tours
Cruises begin on the hour 8 a.m.-6 p.m., $36 and $28 (kids under 12), $4 discounts for online reservations,
244 Bay Ave., Ocean City, 609-398-5800, oceancityboatride.com.
Consider this boat the “Stormin’” on steroids. It’s larger and more powerful than the Ocean City-based craft, and the trip includes (for those who desire it) a chance to get drenched thanks to special equipment that propels torrents of water onto a part of the craft.
508 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood, eastcoastwatersportsnj.com/silver-bullet-wildwood
This is billed as Wildwood’s “longest trip.”
4500 Park Blvd., Wildwood, 609-522-2919, bigbluesightseer.com
This tour offers a veritable orgy of ornithological ogling as it plies the Cape May-area wetlands. Offerings include 2 1/2-hour outings Sunday and Monday mornings.
1212 Wilson Dr., Cape May, 609-898-3500, birdingbyboat.com
A replica of a pirate ship, complete with appropriately attired crew that converses in “pirate speak,” offers what its promoters promise is plenty of “swashbuckling fun.”
232 Bay Ave., Ocean City, 609-398-7555, piratevoyages.com
In addition to the chance to dolphin-peep, this Historic Gardner’s Basin-based ride offers a unique perspective on the AyCee skyline as it travels along the town’s shore line.
800 N. New Hampshire Ave., atlanticcitycruises.com
Pirate-themed cruise promises an "interactive family adventure" that includes face-painting, (temporary) tattoos and costumes for kids (who also get to fire water cannons).
Centre Street and the Bay, Beach Haven, 609-978-9951, piratesoflbi.com