Avalon and Stone Harbor Weekly Update August 20, 2026

They’re out there!  Cape May Whale Watcher spotted two humpback whales breaching about five miles off Wildwood.  See below for a link to the video!

THEY’RE OUT THERE AGAIN!  Cape May Whale Watcher spotted two humpback whales breaching this week about five miles off Wildwood.  This one-minute video clip is spectacular and shows three breaches!  https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19hiAmDtfx/   Keep an eye peeled when you’re on the beach!

GOTTA DO IT: AJ MEERWALD! New Jersey’s tall ship, AJ Meerwald, is sailing from Cape May for the next several weeks.  Go sailing aboard the historic 1928 oyster schooner in Delaware Bay, where it spent its working life!  Options include morning-, afternoon-, and full-day sails!  Take the family or go with friends! Check the sailing schedule here: https://www.bayshorecenter.org/our-ship/

This fall, AJ Meerwald will be undergoing additional restoration work, as one of her original white oak keel timbers will be replaced at a shipyard in Mystic, Connecticut.  Want to learn more and help ensure that New Jersey’s tall ship sails into her second century?  Learn more and donate here: https://www.bayshorecenter.org/donate/

IT’S NOT OVER! What’s still on your summer bucket list? Why not try that new golf course, take your grandchild fishing, sail aboard AJ Meerwald, go whale watching, or read that book you’ve been meaning to get to (while on the beach, of course!)  And if you haven’t yet been here, why not book that last minute vacation?

• Check out some options in Avalon:  https://www.lfvacations.com/vacation-rentals/results/?searchform=1&State=NJ&Destination=Avalon
• Or Stone Harbor: https://www.lfvacations.com/vacation-rentals/results/?searchform=1&State=NJ&Destination=Stone%20Harbor

TEARING DOWN OR REMODELING?  Why not donate your unwanted household items to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore?  Located in Cape May Court House, ReStore accepts appliances, furniture, cabinets, home decor, lamps, artwork, some building materials, outdoor furniture, tools, and more, and then resells those items a reasonable prices.  All donation proceeds go directly toward home builds in Cape May County.  Donations can be dropped off Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm, or schedule a free pickup with ReStore at www.habitatcapemaycounty.org, or call 609-465-1626 ext 2, or email customer.service@habitatcapemay.org.  Habitat for Humanity’s Restore is located at 20 Court House-S. Dennis Road in Cape May Court House.

IF YOU LOVED YOUR TIME here at the shore, why not make it permanent?  Fall might be the perfect time to begin your search for the perfect shore property—and even allows for plenty of time to book rentals and generate income for next year!  Call or email me so we can discuss your plans and form a strategy!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Avalon Flood Insurance Information Meeting.  Get the latest information from experts; no registration required.  Avalon Borough Hall, Thursday, August 20th, 5pm.
• Thursdays at Surfside: AM Gold.  Surfside Park, Thursday, August 20th, 7pm.
• Stone Harbor Merchants Day Sidewalk Sale.  Shop, dine, enjoy.  Downtown Stone Harbor, Saturday, Augus 22nd, 9am to 7pm.
• Cape Shore Jazz Orchestra: Outdoor Concert.  Cape May County Park & Zoo, Bandstand Stage.  Saturday, August 22nd, 2pm to 3pm.
• Tuesdays at the Tower: The Seabillys.  Water Tower Plaza, Tuesday, August 25th, 7pm.
• Annual Stone Harbor Museum Fundraiser.  The Reeds at Shelter Haven, Wednesday, August 26th, 5pm to 8pm.  Tickets: https://stoneharbormuseum.org/events-calendar/sunset-at-the-harbor-an-evening-to-celebrate-and-support-the-stone-harbor-museum-hosted-by-the-reeds-at-shelter-haven/
• Concert on the Green: Don’t Call Me Francis.  Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, Wednesday, August 26th, 5:30pm.
• Thursdays at Surfside: Johnny Folsom 4.  Surfside Park, Thursday, August 27th, 7pm.
• Cape May String Band.  Cape May County Park & Zoo—Bandstand Stage.  Saturday, August 29th, 2pm to 3:30pm.
• Jersey Cape Festival of Fine Craft. Stone Harbor Recreation Field (81st Street), Saturday & Sunday, August 29th & 30th.
• Thursdays at Surfside: BOSTYX.  Surfside Park, Thursday, September 3rd, 7pm to 9pm.
• Sunset Cruise aboard American Star.  Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center, South Jersey Marina, Cape May.  Raffles, 50/50, Cash Bar.  Benefits Family Promise of Cape May County.  Thursday, September 10th, 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Tickets: www.familypromisecmc.org/events
• Avalon End-of-Summer Shop Hop.  End-of-season discounts on clothing, shoes, apparel, accessories, home décor, and more.  Avalon business district, Friday, September 11th-Sunday, September 13th.
• September 11th Remembrance Ceremony.  Veterans Plaza, Friday, September 11th, 8:30pm.
• Somm’s Table: Northern Rhone vs. Southern Rhone.  The Washington Inn & Wine Bar, Sunday, September 13th, 3pm to 4pm.  Reserve a table here: https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=12772&experienceId=781683&modal=true&dateTime=2026-08-13T19%3A00%3A00&experienceEnhancements=true&partySize=2

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, through August 25th.
• Every Wednesday: Dune Walks with The Wetlands Institute.  Learn about Avalon’s high dunes and how they protect the island.  48th Street Beach Path, Wednesdays through September 2nd, 9:30am. Suggested cost of $3 per person.
• 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.  Thursdays, 7pm to 9pm, through September 3rd.
• Every Friday: Friday Nights at Surfside Park.  Character shows, DJ, dancing, face painting, balloon art, and more.  Fridays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Daily Activities:

• Every Day: Salt Marsh Safari, Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor Boulevard.  Info here: https://wetlandsinstitute.org/events/event-calendar/

New Listings:

7888 Dune Drive, 318, Avalon, $849,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 262240

C-59 Weber Court, Stone Harbor, $1,100,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 262265

214 68th Street, Avalon, $3,499,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 262261

178 19th Street, Avalon, $5,299,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 262275

2 111th Street, Stone Harbor, $19,000,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 262269

Under Contract:

378 83rd Street, C0008 – Boat Slip, Stone Harbor, $125,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 261644

7888 Dune Drive, 226, Avalon, $624,775, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 262074

700 Ocean Drive, Unit G4, Avalon, $1,695,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 262205

759 Third Avenue, Avalon, $3,495,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 262257

2328 Ocean Drive, 2328, Avalon, $3,895,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 261992

214 60th Street, Avalon, $3,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 262197

199 12th Street, Avalon, $4,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 261797

10017 Corinthian Drive, Stone Harbor, $5,495,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 260724

23 W 23rd Street, Avalon, $6,295,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 260779

2108 Dune Drive, Avalon, $7,499,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 261210

Properties Sold:

288 86th Street, Stone Harbor, $4,622,500, SOLD MLS#: 252051

199 11th St, Avalon, $4,875,000, SOLD MLS#: 261471

215 60th Street, Avalon, $6,847,000, SOLD MLS#: 261997