Absecon Inlet

About

Introduction:

Absecon Inlet is located on the shores of Atlantic City and is deep and reliable in just about all weather conditions. Absecon Inlet and Atlantic City are 40 miles north of Cape May, 50 miles south of Toms River, and 52 miles southeast of Philadelphia.

Located just inside the inlet to port (on entry) at Atlantic City are eight marinas that offer a variety of services. You will find three marinas here with transient facilities, and one marina in Gardiner Basin has a 60-ton lift to facilitate repairs and haul-out services for hull and prop. The large state marina is located in the shadow of the Trump Hotel and Casino for those who want to press their luck with a few quarters.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 12316 and 12318.

From the Atlantic Ocean, first set a course to intercept flashing green buoy “1” about a mile south of the inlet jetties. Once you have cleared flashing green “1,” set your sights on flashing red buoy “2” and flashing green buoy “3” before heading to flashing green “7” on the south jetty of the inlet (the north jetty is visible, but unmarked). Depths inside the inlet are 15 to 30 feet, but make sure not to stray too far north on the approach, as depths shoal quickly on the north side.

Inside the inlet to port is Clam Creek. Clam Creek contains almost all of the marina facilities in Atlantic City and three other basins branch off here to reveal more slips and facilities for boats.

If you are headed in toward the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway farther in, you will need to clear the 60-foot fixed vertical clearance bridge at Rum Point just past the marina basin to the west.

Local Notices to Mariners:

Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.