Dive-site story
Maclearie Park is a popular tidal shore dive located along the Shark River estuary in Belmar, New Jersey. The dive is conducted over a sandy and silty riverbed dotted with pier pilings, mooring chains, and patches of eelgrass. During late summer and autumn, the Gulf Stream sweeps exotic juvenile tropical marine life into the river, making it a hotspot for macro photographers and local marine life spotters. Entries and exits take place from the gently sloping municipal beach area.
Spotting exotic juvenile tropical fish swept into the estuary by Gulf Stream eddies
Macro photography opportunities focusing on seahorses, pipefish, and nudibranchs
Straightforward beach entry with convenient parking and shoreline staging
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Late summer and early autumn offer the warmest water and the highest concentration of juvenile tropical fish carried north from the Caribbean.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lined seahorseHippocampus erectus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Northern pipefishSyngnathus fuscus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Spotfin butterflyfishChaetodon ocellatus | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| TautogTautoga onitis | Common | ||||||||||||
| Summer flounderParalichthys dentatus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Blue crabCallinectes sapidus | Common |
Marine forecast
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