On a deadline to get to Boston so we could rent a car and get up to Maine for a single day we didn’t linger but instead headed out again into the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Sandy Hook New Jersey. Specifically to the mooring field at Atlantic Highlands NJ.

The passage is one of my favorite overnights since it’s so easy. Just point and go. There was only one spot off the coast of Jersey where I was having trouble seeing the lights of an approaching tug with a tow. As he passed, clearly frustrated with my confusion he grumbled over the VHF “You need to get AIS on that boat”. And of course he is right. So right in fact that we had an AIS enabled radio already on order.

We ordered the B&G VHF with an integrated AIS Receiver and Transmitter. This will enable us to see that boats that are near us as well as have them see us. I’m really looking forward to having it but unfortunately it is back ordered for several months.

The approach to the protected little harbor of Atlantic Highlands is straightforward enough. You turn around Sandy Hook and go all the way down to enter the harbor on the eastern side of the breakwater. Then find your mooring in the maze of moorings.

There is also plenty of room to anchor out, although with a bit of weather we decided that we’d grab an inexpensive mooring.

We were before the “season” started in Mid May so the launch wasn’t running yet. But I want to return when the season is in full swing and stay for a while.

The town seems like a solid counterpart to “East Egg” (Port Washington NY, “East Egg” is a nod to The Great Gatsby). Both cities have everything you’d need. Inexpensive moorings, a launch service, and an inexpensive way to get to NYC with Port Washington being the train and Atlantic Highlands having a ferry.

I’m excited about the town and hope to make it back when we can spend more time and use it as a hopping off spot to see NYC. Plus the town has a great hardware store, grocery store, pizza place, and cafe all within a short walk of the docks.