Called the "Gateway to Long Beach Island" because of the Causeway linking the borough to the mainland, Ship Bottom is one of the oldest communities on Long Beach Island. A shipwreck that took place in 1817 played a dramatic roll in what would become the shore town of Ship Bottom when sea captain Stephen Willets of Tuckerton came upon a capsized ship with bodies hanging from the rigging. When he approached the sound of knocking on the hull caused him to chop a hole and led to the rescue of a young woman who was trapped inside. The name “Ship Bottom” is attributed to this incident.

   Ship Bottom became Life Saving Station # 20 in 1872, and the first permanent resident was Captain Wesley Truex, the Station Keeper, who began living at the station in 1898.

   The towns of Bonnie Beach, Bonnet Beach, Edgewater Beach, Arlington Beach and Ship Bottom joined together to become Ship Bottom-Arlington Beach in 1925, and then the town became simply Ship Bottom in 1947. With exceptional beaches, a great atmosphere, quaint accommodations and cozy restaurants, the “Gateway to Long Beach Island,” Ship Bottom, New Jersey is a wonderful place for vacationers and weekenders. While you’re here, if time permits, enjoy a romantic getaway in Sunset Park Gardens.

Swimming:

Lifeguards on are duty from mid-June through Labor Day, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and beach badges are required of persons between the ages of 12 and 64. Children under 12 are FREE.

Beach Badge Fees:

Seasonal: $25.00 until May 31.                                                                                Seasonal: $35.00 (after June 1.                                                                         Weekly:   $17.00 (Monday through Friday)                                                            Daily:       $7.00                                                                                                             Seniors:    $2.00 (Lifetime badge – until May 31: $3.00 after June 1

Handicapped accessible ramps are located at 4, 8, 14, 15 20, 21 and 25 Streets.  The Ship Bottom Beach Patrol offers BeachWheels for handicapped persons. Please call the Beach Patrol Office at 609-454-5481 to reserve in advance
Please surf only in designated areas between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Boating:

Robert W. Nissan Boat Ramp                                                                             
10 Street and Waterfront Park (at the foot of the inbound causeway)      
Boat Ramp, Municipal Parking, Gazebo, Playground and Park. 
Fees:
Seasonal (non-commercial) ...$70.00                                                   
Commercial...$500.00                                                
Daily in-and-out...$20.00                                                     
Hours of operation: 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily                    
Ramp office telephone 609-454-5819
Public Parks and Recreation

Beach Arlington Park & Bay Beach
13th - 16th Streets and the Bay
Playground  ~~ Bay Beach ~~ Restrooms ~~ Sunset Point Gazebo

John J. Guld Jr. Recreation Area & Ball Field
West 5th & 6th Streets at Barnegat Avenue
Tennis Courts ~~ Bocce Ball ~~ Shuffleboard ~~ Horseshoes ~~ Baseball Field and Golf Cage

Robert W. Nissen Park
10th - 12th Streets and the Bay
Boat Ramp ~~ JetSki Launch ~~ Playground ~~ Boardwalk ~~ Benches ~~ Pavillion ~~ Gazebo ~~ Bike Path ~~ Rest Rooms

West 4th Street Courts
West 4th Street bet. Central and Barnegat Avenues
Volleyball and Basketball Courts
Fishing and Crabbing Pier
25th Street and the Bay
Pavilion ~~ Benches ~~ Crabbing Area ~~ Fishing Pier 

 Borough of Ship Bottom
1621 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
609-494-2171
Police – Fire – Medical Emergency:  911                               
Police - Non-emergency: 609-494-1518    

The Houses of Worship on Long Beach Island
     (all telephone numbers are area code 609)

Christian Science Society
10th Street & Barnegat Avenue
Ship Bottom, NJ
(494-6166)

First United Methodist Church
New Jersey & Beach Avenues
Beach Haven Terrace
(492-8088)

Grace Calvary Church (Independent)
19th Street & Long Beach Blvd.
Ship Bottom, NJ
(494-7777)

Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church
Marine Street between Atlantic and Beach Avenues
Beach Haven, NJ
(492-7571)

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (E.L.C.A.)
5802 Long Beach Blvd.
Brant Beach, NJ
(494-6888; Pastor's number: 494-8045)

Island Baptist Church
Third Street
Beach Haven, NJ
(492-7584)

Jewish Community Center of LBI
24th Street & Long Beach Blvd.
Spray Beach, NJ
(492-4090)

Kynett United Methodist Church            
Centre Street & Beach Avenue
Beach Haven, NJ
(492-0421)

New Life Assembly of God Church
203 16th Street
Ship Bottom, NJ
(361-9373)

St. Clare's Church (Roman Catholic)
Long Beach Blvd.
Loveladies, NJ
(494-8813)

St. Francis of Assisi Church (Roman Catholic)
47th Street & Long Beach Blvd.
Brant Beach, NJ
(494-8813)

Saint Peter's at the Light  (Episcopal)
7th Street and Central Avenue
Barnegat Light, NJ
494-2398

St. Thomas Aquinas Church (Roman Catholic)
2nd Street & Atlantic Avenue
Beach Haven
(494-8813)

St. Thomas of Villanova Church (Roman Catholic)
13th Street & Long Beach Blvd.
Surf City, NJ
(494-8813)

Spray Beach Chapel (Non-Denominational)
Beach Avenue between 23rd & 24th Streets
Spray Beach, NJ
(492-2040)

The United Church of Surf City (Non-Denominational)
7th Street & Central Avenue
Surf City, NJ
(494-5351)

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (E.L.C.A.)
18th Street & Central Avenue
Barnegat Light, NJ
(494-2890) Phone and Fax