Cooks Beach is the only one (that I know of) of the little public bayside beaches in Middle Township that does NOT have homes built on it. The plus is, it's completely nature's beauty there, with a nice wide stretch of beach and a remote relaxing feel. The minus is, the road to this place is the WORST road I've ever driven in my life. As of Nov 2020, the unpaved portion of Cooks Beach road (like 60-70% of its total length) is full of holes, dips, standing water, and various other lumps and bumps. I recommend parking at the end of the paved area and walking the remainder of about 1/4 mile. I did drive it in a non-SUV but at 10mph, with white knuckles, and hella stress. Come here to relax, but bring an SUV or some sneaks to hike.
Once you get to the beach it is crazy pretty, and most of the year, you will be one of very few people there.
Like all of the small Middle Township bay beaches, this feels very remote and private. As with its neighbor beaches, you need to drive out through a stretch of marsh to get to it. There are homes on solid ground at the mouth of the road (by 47), but none once the road becomes unpaved. The stretch in between is marshland. Marsh makes for great wildlife but also many bugs, so prep for that in warm months. read more