Two kinds of light: evening fireworks (right) competed with distant lightning (left) during fireworks displays on the island. (Photo by Grace Leiser)
WHAT A WEEKEND:…”One of the best we’ve had in a long time,” said Diane Wieland, Cape May County’s tourism director, in a Cape May County Herald article. High temperatures and holiday events brought big crowds to the shore over the long weekend. Beaches were full, as were shops and restaurants.
OH BOY, IT WAS HOT! Really hot! Atlantic City Airport reported a high temperature of 106F, tying the all-time record, according to meteorologist Joe Martucci. The island was slightly cooler—but just slightly! Late afternoon sea breezes eventually appeared, finally bringing a bit of relief. Beachgoers sought shade under umbrellas and boaters caught breezes on sandbars, but the only way to truly beat the heat this weekend was to be in the water—ocean temperatures were around 70F, and very refreshing! This week saw the return of more normal daytime highs in the upper 70s and low 80s.
STILL PLANNING YOUR SUMMER VACATION? Avalon and Stone Harbor vacation guides serve as useful references for all things local—stores, restaurants, events, beach access, borough phone numbers, and more. Check them out here:
- Avalon 2026 Recreation Guide: https://view.publitas.
com/seven-mile-publishing/ avalon-information-recreation- guide-2026/page/1 - Stone Harbor 2026 Visitor’s Guide: https://
stoneharborchamber.com/2026- visitors-guide
AND IF YOU NEED A PLACE TO STAY, check out our website featuring great rental options! Whether your budget is $1,000 to $2,000 per week, or $10,000 to $20,000, we’ve got something for you. Browse rental properties here:
- Avalon rentals: https://www.
lfvacations.com/vacation- rentals/results/?searchform=1& State=NJ&Destination=Avalon - Stone Harbor rentals: https://www.
lfvacations.com/vacation- rentals/results/?searchform=1& State=NJ&Destination=Stone% 20Harbor
GOTTA DO IT: RENT A BOAT! Want to go fishing in the back bay, crabbing in a narrow creek, or just cruise local waters? Try renting a boat! Local marinas rent a variety of boats, from small fishing skiffs to large center consoles to pontoon “party barges.” Check out these local options!
- Boat Day Luxury Rentals, Avalon: https://
boatdaymarinegroup.com/pages/ rentals - Bay Breeze Marina, Sea Isle City: https://
baybreezeboatrentals.com/boat- rentals - Two Chums Rentals, Sea Isle City: https://www.
twochumsrentals.com/#Explore- Boats - Pier 88 Marina, Sea Isle City: https://www.
pier88marina.com/plan-your- visit-1#RPpijM - Dad’s Place Marine, North Wildwood: https://www.
dadsplacemarina.com/rent-a- make-boats-dealership–rentals - Hereford Marina, North Wildwood: https://
herefordmarina.com/boat- rentals-wildwood-nj - Bunkers Marina, Wildwood: https://
bunkersmarina.com/all-rentals/ - Pier 47 Marina, Wildwood: https://www.
pier47marine.com/boat-rentals/
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Thursdays at Surfside: Big Hix. Surfside Park, Thursday, July 9th, 7pm.
- Summer Concert: Congress Street Brass Band. Cape May County Park & Zoo Bandstand, Saturday, July 11th, 2pm-3:30pm.
- Stone Harbor Triathlon. Quarter mile swim, 11 mile bike ride, 5k run. Stone Harbor Yacht Club, Sunday, July 12, 7am to 9am.
- Somm’s Table: Natural & Biodynamic. Explore wines made with minimal intervention and a deep respect for the ecosystem. Washington Inn & Wine Bar. Sunday, July 12th, 3pm to 4pm. https://www.
washingtoninn.com/upcoming- events/somms-table - Tuesdays at the Tower: Three & One. Water Tower Plaza, Tuesday, July 14th, 7pm.
- Concert on the Green: Split Decision. Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, Wednesday, July 15th, 5:30pm.
- Thursdays at Surfside: Best of the Eagles. Surfside Park, Thursday, July 16th, 7pm.
- Yoga at the Zoo, with a certified yoga instructor. Bring a mat and water, and meet at the Zoo entrance. Cape May County Zoo, Saturday, July 18th, 8:45am to 10am. $15-20 donation suggested.
- Tuesdays at the Tower: Dane Anthony Band. Water Tower Plaza, Tuesday, July 21st, 7pm.
- Concert on the Green: Jimmy & The Parrots. Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, Wednesday, July 22nd, 5:30pm.
- Santa’s Stone Harbor Vacation. Catch Santa on the beach and in town! July 22nd to July 25th.
- Thursdays at Surfside: Don Jovi. Surfside Park, Thursday, July 23rd, 7pm.
- Stone Harbor Festival of Lights: US History 250. Saturday, August 1st.
Weekly Activities:
- Every Sunday: Stone Harbor Farmer’s Market, Water Tower Plaza, Sundays, 8am to 12 noon.
- Every Tuesday: Tuesdays at the Tower Concert Series. 7pm to 9pm. Beginning July 7th.
- Every Wednesday: Summer Concert Series at the Cape May Ferry Terminal, 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Beginning July 8th.
- Every Thursday: Thursdays at Surfside Concert Series. 7pm to 9pm.
Daily Activities:
- Every Day: Salt Marsh Safari, Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor Boulevard. Info here: https://
wetlandsinstitute.org/events/ event-calendar/
New Listings:
9903 Second Avenue, Unit 2 Rear, Stone Harbor, $1,799,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261812
9903 Second Avenue, Unit 1 Front, Stone Harbor, $1,799,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261813
289 65th Street, West, Avalon, $3,375,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261760
5726 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $3,499,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261823
261 45th Street, Avalon, $4,695,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261810
141 30th Street, Avalon, $4,699,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261817
199 12th Street, Avalon, $4,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261797
93 E 11th Street, Avalon, $6,799,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261803
283 6th Street, Avalon, $8,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 261781
Under Contract:
17 Seabreeze Lane, Avalon Manor, $1,125,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 260911
135 110th Street, Stone Harbor, $4,595,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 261742
288 86th Street, Stone Harbor, $4,695,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 252051
177 71st Street, Avalon, $5,750,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 261365
107 116th Street, Stone Harbor, $6,999,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 260234
103 116th Street, Stone Harbor, $13,499,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 260228
Properties Sold:
7929 Dune Drive, Unit 212, Avalon, $577,500, SOLD MLS#: 252847
10803 Third Avenue, 6, Stone Harbor, $1,799,000, SOLD MLS#: 260818
281 69th Street, Avalon, $3,595,000, SOLD MLS#: 261257
