Fall Boating in NJ – A Great Time To Be Out On The Water!

Fall in NJ brings crisp temperatures and beautiful scenery. Take out that boat and enjoy all that New Jersey offers in Autumn. Whether it is seeing the fall foliage, watching the migratory birds, or catching stiped bass as they head south for the season.

While many boaters are storing their boats for the season, those of us in NJ can take advantage of some great boating activities!

Enjoy the peace and quiet! Since most boating takes place in the summer, you’ll enjoy less crowded marinas and launch ramps, and you are less likely to see a lot of boats and jet skis on the water. That said, take extra precautions for your own safety. Make sure your VHF radio and cell phone are charged and in good working order. A VHF call on channel 16 is your direct link to the Coast Guard and you will talk directly to the people who can launch a rescue, and other nearby boats may be listening and can lend a hand. Bottom line – make sure you can be heard! Also, have a float plan - If you are going for just a few hours on your boat, let someone know where you expect to be and when you expect to return. If you plan a longer cruise, leave a copy of a written float plan with your marina, yacht club, or friend.

See New Jersey’s beautiful fall foliage from an awesome point of view! Seeing the red, oranges and yellows of the changing leaves reflecting in the water is quite a sight see! Have your camera ready! Maybe catch a glimpse of some migratory birds flying overhead as well. Hawks and ospreys and falcons – oh my!

After those hot summer days, enjoy the cool, crisp fall air. But make sure to pack an extra layer of clothing and blankets. It may see warm when you leave the dock, but you want to dress for the cooler water temperature. Pack your rain gear too, since fall can bring fast-moving storms that can cause the temperature to drop unexpectedly.

As always, wear your life jacket. In Autumn, the water gets colder and an accidental fall overboard can result in an increased risk of hypothermia. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket any time your boat is underway by law, and adults should wear them, too – especially at night. Purchase life jackets with lights attached so rescuers can find you in the water. Make sure they fit over your bulkier clothes (jackets, sweatshirts, etc.).

Fall fishing may be a littler colder, but there’s still amazing fishing action year-round in NJ. Whether you are offshore catching striped bass, weakfish, catfish, or on freshwater fishing for trout, musky or largemouth and smallmouth bass, the fall months bring bigger, more mature fish. Be sure to check the latest fishing reports and find out what fish are in season and the limits.

Perform all the safety checks to make sure all of the boat’s systems are working properly. It will be dark sooner, so make sure the boat’s navigational lights are operational, emergency flares are ok and your have waterproof flashlights and spare batteries handy. Be sure that you know how to use the boat’s electronics, the earlier sunsets and change in weather can change your perspective, so boaters should be comfortable with the boat’s radar if visibility becomes a problem.

No matter which season you’re boating in, gas up before you go and keep an eye on the weather. With fewer boats on the water, some fuel docks may close early, do not assume you can fill up once you leave the dock.

Remember - To operate a powered (motorized) vessel in the state of New Jersey, you are required to take a New Jersey State Police-approved boating safety course and proctored exam. Take your NJ boat safety class, whether an in-person class (that includes exam) or take the online course and the proctored exam. The New Jersey State Police have only approved three providers: Ace Boater, BoaterExam, and Boat-Ed.

Most states require anyone with a powerboat or personal watercraft to complete an approved boater safety course. Boat Safe US, Ace Boater, BoaterExam and Boat-Ed are all NASBLA-approved (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators), which means if you take the boat safety course, whether with Boat Safe US, or online, you will be able to use your NJ boat safety certificate in other states.

Fall in NJ brings shorter days and cooler temperatures, presenting unique challenges to boaters. Take precautions and practice the safety procedures you learned in your NJ boat safety class. Whether you take the boat safety course in-person or on-line, Boat Safe US is here to help you achieve your goal of getting out on the water! WWW.BoatSafeUS.com

In-Person Classes:

Parsippany, Sunday, 10/5/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Atlantic Highlands, Saturday, 10/11/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Lawrence Township, Tuesday & Thursday, 10/14/2025 & 10/16/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Toms River, Saturday, 10/18/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Mt. Arlington, Sunday, 10/19/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Scotch Plains, Monday & Wednesday, 10/20/2025 & 10/22/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Clifton, Tuesday & Thursday, 10/21/2025 & 10/23/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Mount Laurel, Saturday, 10/25/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Ocean City, SundAY, 10/26/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Parsippany, Saturday, 11/1/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Atlantic Highlands, Saturday, 11/8/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Toms River, Wednesday & Friday, 11/12/2025 & 11/14/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Lawrence Township, Saturday, 11/15/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Parsippany, Sunday, 11/30/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Atlantic Highlands, Saturday, 12/6/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Parsippany, Saturday, 12/13/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Toms River, Sunday, 12/28/2025 09:00am to 5:30pm

Mount Laurel, Saturday, 1/3/2026 08:00am to 4:30pm

Mount Laurel, Saturday, 1/31/2026 08:00am to 4:30pm

Exams for the Online Course:

Parsippany, Sunday, 10/5/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Atlantic Highlands, Saturday, 10/11/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Lawrence Township, Thursday, 10/16/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Toms River, Saturday, 10/18/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Mt. Arlington, Sunday, 10/19/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Scotch Plains, Wednesday, 10/22/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Clifton, Thursday, 10/23/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Mount Laurel, Saturday, 10/25/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Ocean City, Sunday, 10/26/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Parsippany, Saturday, 11/1/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Atlantic Highlands, Saturday, 11/8/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Toms River, Friday, 11/14/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Lawrence Township, Saturday, 11/15/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Scotch Plains, Monday, 11/17/2025 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Parsippany, Sunday, 11/30/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Atlantic Highlands, Saturday, 12/6/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Parsippany, Saturday, 12/13/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Toms River, Sunday, 12/28/2025 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Mount Laurel, Saturday, 1/3/2026 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Mount Laurel, Saturday, 1/31/2026 3:00pm to 4:30pm

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