If you stand on the edge of the north jetty in Manasquan, the Atlantic looks infinite. It's beautiful. But honestly, most people staring at that water have no clue they’re looking at a multi-million dollar engineering tightrope. Manasquan Inlet isn't just a gap between two towns; it’s a temperamental, man-made artery that nearly vanished from the map less than a century ago.
You've probably heard the rumors about the "square waves" or the "deadly rip." Some of it is local lore, but a lot of it is grounded in a very weird history involving New York City subways and a canal that accidentally choked the river to death.
The Day the Manasquan Inlet Actually Vanished
Most Jersey Shore regulars think the inlet has always been right there, tucked between Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach. Nope.
Back in the 1800s, the "Squan" inlet was a shifty, shallow mess located several thousand yards north, near what we now call Stockton Lake. It was a nightmare for sailors. Then, in 1926, engineers dug the Point Pleasant Canal. They thought they were being clever, connecting the Manasquan River to Barnegat Bay.
Instead, they created a hydraulic disaster.
The river’s water decided it liked the new canal better. The flow toward the ocean slowed to a crawl. Within two years, the Atlantic Ocean said "thanks, I'll take that," and dumped so much sand into the mouth of the river that the inlet completely closed. By 1928, you could literally walk from Manasquan to Point Pleasant Beach on dry sand. Local fishermen went broke. The "river" became a stagnant pond.
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How New York’s Subway Saved the Shore
The reopening wasn't easy. The National Guard tried using high-pressure water hoses to blast through the sand. It didn't work. Eventually, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stepped in with a $600,000 plan (a fortune in 1930) to build the massive stone jetties we see today.
Here’s the fun part: those rocks beneath your feet? They aren't just random Jersey boulders. A huge portion of the rock used for the Manasquan Inlet jetties came from the excavation of the Second Avenue Subway in Manhattan. They were hauled down on flatbed rail cars. So, technically, you’re standing on New York City bedrock while watching the Jersey surf.
Why the "Square Waves" Are a Real Threat
You might have seen the viral photos of "cross seas"—where waves form a perfect grid like a chessboard. People think it’s a myth or a Photoshop trick. It’s not. At Manasquan, this phenomenon happens because of wave refraction.
The jetties are built at specific angles to protect the channel. When a distant storm swell hits from the southeast, but a local wind pushes waves from the northeast, they collide at the mouth of the inlet.
- The Danger: It’s not just "cool looking." These waves create a chaotic "washing machine" effect.
- The Physics: You have water moving in two directions simultaneously. For a boat, this means the hull is being hit from two sides at once, which is a fast track to capsizing.
- The Swim: If you see a grid pattern in the water, get out. Immediately. The rip currents inside those squares are unpredictable and can pull you toward the jagged rocks of the jetty faster than you can react.
The Fishing Secret: It’s All About the "Swirl"
If you’re heading to the inlet to catch dinner, don’t just cast blindly into the middle. The real pros look for the swirl.
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Because the current in the Manasquan Inlet is so aggressive—especially when the tide is dumping out of the river—the water creates small eddies near the rocks. This is where the baitfish get disoriented. Striped bass and bluefish aren't stupid; they sit right in those pockets waiting for a free meal.
Quick Local Tips for the Inlet:
- Gear Up: Use at least a 10-foot surf rod. If you're using light freshwater gear, a 15-pound bluefish will snap your line before you even realize you have a bite.
- The Bait: Gulp! or white bucktails are the "gold standard" here for fluke.
- The Law: Don't even think about keeping an undersized striper. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) treats the inlet like a high-security zone. They will check your cooler.
Surfing the "Squan" Wedge
Manasquan Inlet is widely considered the best surf break in New Jersey, and maybe the entire Mid-Atlantic. But it’s not for beginners. Basically, the south-facing side of the north jetty acts as a funnel.
When a solid swell rolls in, the waves "hit" the jetty and reflect back into the oncoming waves. This creates a "wedge"—a wave that is much taller and more powerful than it should be. It’s a fast, hollow right-hander that has produced some of the best surfers on the East Coast.
The "vibe" in the water can be... intense. It’s a crowded spot. If you don't know the etiquette, or if you "drop in" on a local, you’re going to hear about it. Honestly, if you aren't an expert, it’s better to sit on the beach and watch. It’s a show in itself.
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Maintenance: The $73 Million Sand Problem
The ocean is constantly trying to reclaim the inlet. As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the Army Corps is in the middle of a massive Coastal Storm Risk Management project.
They recently awarded a $73.5 million contract to the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company. Why? Because the jetties, as great as they are, trap sand on one side and starve the other. They have to move millions of cubic yards of sand from offshore "borrow areas" back onto the beaches to prevent the towns from being swallowed during the next Nor'easter.
It’s a never-ending battle. The sand is pumped through giant pipes that look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Without this constant "nourishment," the Manasquan Inlet would likely choke up and close again within a decade.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to the Manasquan side or the Point Pleasant side, here’s how to do it right:
- Parking Hack: On the Manasquan side, the lot at the end of First Avenue fills up by 9:00 AM on weekends. If it’s full, head back toward the Manasquan Riverside Park and walk. It’s worth the hike.
- Safety Check: Use the Safe Beach Day app or website. It gives real-time risk levels for the Inlet and Whiting towers.
- The "Golden Hour": Go at sunrise. The fishing is better, the surfers are out, and the sun coming up over the Atlantic through the jetties is the best free view in the state.
- Walk the Jetty: You can walk out on the rocks, but please, wear shoes with grip. The "black zone" on the rocks is algae—it’s slicker than ice. People fall every year, and those rocks do not move for your head.
Manasquan Inlet is a living example of how humans try to control the ocean. It’s a place of massive economic importance—over $22 million in fish value passes through those rocks every year—but it's also a place that reminds you how small you are. Respect the current, watch the waves, and maybe don't walk on the green moss.
To make the most of your next trip, check the local tide charts at the Watson’s Creek Gauge before heading out. The difference between a "slow day" and a "limit-out day" on the water is almost always the timing of the tide change at the mouth of the inlet.