My background in sales has always included a great deal of travel. This has allowed me to visit many places I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. When I accepted the offer to work at Global Traveler, I thought it was an excellent opportunity to work for a leading company in its industry, and it would also allow me to see more of the world. As the newest employee at Global Traveler, I was surprised to hear the company requested employees write a blog on their experiences around travel, restaurants, destinations and/or events. I began to think about what I would write about the first time that people might find interesting, and I landed on a vacation spot very special to me: Brigantine Beach, New Jersey.

Brigantine is located south of Long Beach Island and north of Atlantic City. It’s a barrier island, meaning there is one bridge in and out of the island. Brigantine originally was the getaway for those in Philadelphia who wanted to take a short trip to the beach without all the fanfare of Atlantic City. Brigantine is a brief, one-hour, 20-minute car ride from Philadelphia. Many major roads make Brigantine accessible for those from North Jersey and New York, as well as those from Philadelphia. Brigantine’s location makes it easy to get to. Still, because 60 percent of the population is year-round residents, there is not the massive influx of summertime traffic many beach towns experience.

What makes Brigantine so special are the beaches. The beaches are vast, but not too wide. The walk to get on to the beach is usually through the built-up dunes, which in many places have ornate gardens at the beginning of the paths. As you walk along the path through the dunes, you can feel the sea breeze as you make your way closer to the Atlantic Ocean. It is not uncommon to see all types of animals on the path. Some days you’ll see rabbits or foxes. When my children were younger, they always loved finding turtles on the path and helping them cross.

Once you see the ocean, your stress level disappears. While on Brigantine beaches, it’s easy to find a place to unload your gear and set up for the day. I’ve found I rarely have anyone within 20 feet of my spot on the beach, unlike other towns where you have people sitting on top of each other. There are beaches lifeguards guard, and there are areas that don’t have lifeguards. Families with children are advised to use the guarded beaches marked with red flags. Once on the beach, it’s always a must to walk from our spot on the beach to the jetty, about one mile away. While walking to the jetty, you can find seashells washed up on shore or small sea creatures as they are swept in and out by the crashing waves. Down by the jetty you will see one of the only summertime drive-on beaches in New Jersey. This is a popular spot and one of the only places it feels crowded on the island. The town does not limit the number of permits it sells, so on holiday weekends the cars can be lined up four and five deep. The walk is always pleasant, with people saying “Hi.” Once you return to your spot, you might be asked by a beach badge checker to see your badges. Brigantine, like many Jersey shore towns, require daily or yearly beach badges. The cost for a day is $5 for each person over the age of 12 or $20 for an annual pass. The days are usually uneventful. I like to listen to music, read or take a nap.

Walking off the beach, you feel so relaxed. Once you’ve gotten a shower, it’s time for dinner. Brigantine has several restaurants to choose from. There are grab-and-go food or formal dining options, depending on your preferences. What makes Brigantine unique is you are so close to Atlantic City, it’s easy to grab a cab or Uber, make the 10-minute drive and dine at world-renowned restaurants if you want. After dinner, many people have a tradition of going to one of the two competing ice cream stores on the island. Both have quick-moving lines, and both offer fabulous homemade, flavored ice creams. Brigantine has several bars that give off cool island vibes. The drinks can be pricy depending on what you drink, but the bartenders are generous pourers. Nights in Brigantine wind down around 1 a.m. Atlantic City is an option if you’re looking to continue the party, but Brigantine gets quiet fast.

Brigantine is a town many have never heard of, which is fine. I love the island, and I hope that by reading this you might want to come to see the beauty for yourself.

— Sean Olin, director of sales