There’s something special about the Jersey Shore once the summer crowds begin to disappear. The packed parking lots calm down, the beaches have room to breathe, and suddenly it feels like the shoreline belongs to us again.

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We still have a few precious weeks of summer left, and if the warmer fall temperatures we’re hearing about actually arrive, there could be plenty of perfect beach weekends ahead.

But if you’re looking for something a little different this time of year, how about finding the clearest water at the Jersey Shore?

We Know Jersey Beaches Are Beautiful, But What About the Water?

Let’s be honest: New Jersey beaches can be gorgeous, but our Atlantic Ocean water doesn't always look like the Caribbean.

When you picture Caribbean water, you probably imagine that incredible blue-green color where the water is so clear you can stand in it and see your feet. At many Jersey Shore beaches, that's simply not the case.

I know I'm certainly not standing in the ocean here thinking, Wow, look at my toes! The water can be darker, cloudy or have that typical Atlantic Ocean appearance.

One Jersey Shore Beach Stands Out

Believe it or not, New Jersey is home to some incredibly clean beaches. But if your priority is finding clearer water, one particular beach gets attention.

Stone Harbor's 96th Street Beach in Cape May County has been named as having the clearest water in New Jersey.

And honestly, it's not a bad place to spend a late-summer or early-fall beach day.

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So, if you're searching for one of the clearest stretches of water at the Jersey Shore, Stone Harbor's 96th Street Beach is definitely worth putting on your list. And there's something pretty wonderful about visiting after the vacation crowds thin out.

The beaches are quieter, the pace is slower, and there's still plenty of summer left to enjoy.

So before we officially say goodbye to summer, maybe it's time to take one more Jersey Shore beach day, and see just how clear the water really is.

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