Sandy Hook is a barrier spit in Middletown Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States.

The 2,044-acre (8.27 km2) peninsula was discovered by Henry Hudson,[6] and, historically, Sandy Hook has been a convenient anchorage for ships before proceeding into Upper New York Harbor.

The peninsula's ocean-facing beaches are considered among the finest in New Jersey and are a popular destination for recreation in summer when seasonal ferries[7] bring beachgoers from its various docking points including NYC.

Some of the buildings of Fort Hancock are closed to the public because their structural integrity in decay, and to preserve its profile for future visitors.

The defunct U.S. Army post Fort Hancock at the north end of the peninsula is open to visitation by the National Park Service.

The Sandy Hook Proving Ground was used for many years—beginning after the Civil War until 1919, when the facility was moved to Aberdeen, Maryland—and was later the site of a Nike missile defense installation.

North of Fort Hancock on the western part of the "hook" is an active station of the United States Coast Guard.

This is one of the original Life Saving Stations built in 1848 at a site "on bay side, one-half mile south of point of Hook."

[6] In contrast, the western shore includes vast acres of sand and trails and a paved path without lifeguards or rest rooms.

Dining options have changed drastically since Superstorm Sandy, which destroyed the island's only eating location, the Sea Gulls' Nest Deck Restaurant.

On the peninsula, various food trucks can be found and nearby is the locally known Bahr's Landing, Moby's and Something Fishy.

[6] Local activities include the Sandy Hook All Woman Lifeguard Tournament in July, boat rentals for fishing, parties and tours, and paved path for biking, rollerblading, and walking.

The first successful swim occurred in 1913, when New York lifeguard Alfred Brown came ashore in 13 hours, 38 minutes.

The road to the peninsula branches from Route 36 at the northern end of Sea Bright becoming Hartshorne Drive within the park.