11 Apps To Make The Most Of A Trip Down The Jersey Shore

NEW JERSEY — Spending a sunny day on the beach can be relaxing, but planning the trip down the shore can become a headache. From monitoring the weather to avoiding traffic, there can be a lot to think about before grabbing your sunglasses and heading to the beach.

Thankfully, there are apps to help make planning a beach day easier. Ranging from weather apps to shark trackers, here are 11 must-download apps for the perfect beach day:

Jersey Shore Beach Guide

This app is chock-full of information about 40 of New Jersey’s most popular beaches, including beach badge fees, dog friendliness, changing facilities, and more. It’s also got info on beachfront dining and bars. Available on the App Store and on Google Play.

Dark Sky

This premium weather app offers hourly forecasts for rain, clouds, temperature and the UV index. It offers down-to-the-minute alerts for when bad weather is approaching so you know exactly when to pack up your stuff and head off the beach. Available for the App Store and on Google Play.

EPA SunWise UV Index

Created by the EPA, this app lets beach-goers check the UV index, and provides maps and charts for the UV index based on the time of day and the location. Available on the App Store and on Google Play.

Tides Near Me

This app helps you keep track of the tides and currents, showing when the high and low tides are and if the currents are intense. It also shows predictions for what types of currents to expect in the next few days. Available on the App Store and on Google Play.

Global Shark Tracker

The odds of seeing a giant shark off the coast of New Jersey aren’t huge, but they aren’t zero, either. This app shows you whenever a tagged shark has been spotted anywhere in the world, and includes real-time and historical data. Available on the App Store. A similar app is offered by the White Shark Conservancy on Google Play.

Weather Channel

This free app offers hourly weather forecasts, an interactive radar, and alerts for when it might start raining, using the same data you’ll find on the Weather Channel’s website and TV channel. Available for the App Store and on Google Play.

Waze

Traffic getting down the shore can be terrible on some weekends, but Waze will make the drive a little easier by providing crowd-sourced updates on crashes, road conditions, and traffic jams. The free app is available on the App Store and on Google Play.

TollGuru

Toll roads aren't the only way down the shore. TollGuru will help you map out your route, including how much on tolls you’ll pay, or how to take local roads to avoid tolls entirely. It also helps calculate how much you’ll spend in gas based on your car. Available on the App Store and on Google Play.

Uber, Lyft

Sometimes you just don’t want to drive. These two ride-hailing apps will let you call a car to drive you to your next beachfront destination, or back home (just watch out for surge pricing!). Both apps are available on the App Store (Uber, Lyft) and on Google Play (Uber, Lyft).

NJ Transit

New Jersey Transit has several beach-side train stations as well as beach-bound bus routes, and the app makes getting a ride easier than ever. Buy tickets, check schedules, and see real-time departure boards through the free app. Available on the App Store and on Google Play.

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