Brigantine

Brigantine was incorporated as a city in 1924, replacing East Atlantic City and incorporating portions of Galloway Township. The city borders the Atlantic County municipalities of Atlantic City and Galloway Township. Brigantine is located on Brigantine Island on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The area was originally incorporated as Brigantine Beach in 1890, then reincorporated as the City of Brigantine, followed by the City of East Atlantic City, and finally back to Brigantine.

The city is also referred to as Brigantine Beach, and it prides itself as one of New Jersey’s premier destinations for living and visiting. Spend the day sailing, kayaking, swimming in the ocean, or relaxing on the beach. At night, take in all the action and excitement from Atlantic City, which is just minutes away. Brigantine is less than 1 hour from Philadelphia and less than two hours from New York City. Brigantine offers the tourist attractions, gift shops, restaurants, and accommodations of a great shore town. Peaceful, yet close to all the action.

Brigantine offers a variety of year-round and second-home options. There are single-family oceanfront homes, as well as condominiums, many with ocean or bay views. Brigantine has miles of waterfront properties on the ocean, as well as along the bay, lagoon, and inland waterway.

While popular all year round, the busy season for Brigantine is the summer. For visitors, there are hotels and motels, as well as short-term rentals available through local realtors, Airbnb, VRBO, and others. Beautiful homes and condos are available to rent on a weekly, monthly, seasonal, or annual basis. Brigantine has many real estate offices for listings for short and long-term rentals, as well as homes for sale.

Brigantine History

Like all towns in the area, Brigantine was part of the Lenni Lenape settlement area, and the Lenape called the island Watamoonica or “playground”. The island would eventually be claimed by the Dutch, but by 1664 the island had become a part of the British province of West Jersey. In the 1700s, a ship was wrecked in the ocean just off the coast of the island. The vessel type was a Brigantine, and it would become a reference point for the island. The island became a hiding place for pirates and became well known for dangerous shoals, which wrecked many ships along its coast.

Brigantine would be sparsely populated until the late 1800s when a railroad was built to connect Philadelphia to Brigantine; trolleys ran along the length of the city and steamboats ferried people to Atlantic City. Several hotels were built during this period of prosperity. However, storms and the economy would close the railroad and most of the hotels in the early part of the 20th century.

Development in Brigantine would rebound 1920’s, when cars were able to access Brigantine via a bridge from Atlantic City. The Brigantine Golf Course and a public school were built, along with the Brigantine Lighthouse, which was built as a tourist attraction, and not a working lighthouse.

After WWII, Brigantine would continue to grow, and survive several major storms, including the devastating 1962 storm, and the advent of casino gaming in Atlantic City in 1978, which led to further growth.

Brigantine Info and Points of Interest

The only road to and from Brigantine is New Jersey Route 87, also known as Brigantine Boulevard. Brigantine Boulevard crosses over the Justice Vincent S. Haneman Memorial Bridge, and it is the only way on and off the island.

North Brigantine Beach has nearly two miles of undisturbed beach to explore. The Brigantine Wildlife Refuge, on the north end of Brigantine Island, is a state-protected haven for birds and other wildlife. There is a viewing platform to observe birds and marine mammals. The North end is also a popular spot for surf fishing. Visit in early spring to see the endangered Piping Plovers.

A portion of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is located on the northern end of Brigantine Island. The Refuge provides crucial habitat for many different types of endangered or threatened birds.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) is on Brigantine Boulevard. The MMSC rescues and provides medical treatment to marine mammals in distress. Visitors can tour the museum there. More information can be found at their website.

Brigantine Lighthouse is at 3400 Brigantine Boulevard. The lighthouse is not a functioning lighthouse, rather it was built in 1926 as a tourist attraction. In addition to being a Brigantine landmark, the Lighthouse has also been the headquarters for the Brigantine Police Department, a museum, and a gift shop.

Brigantine is one of the best boating and fishing spots on the Jersey Shore. There are several marinas and a yacht and sailing club. Charter boats are available, or you can rent a boat. There is also surf fishing along the beach.

Brigantine Beach’s main businesses are tourism-related, such as restaurants, taverns, retail shops, recreation, and real estate rentals and sales. Brigantine is encouraging businesses to locate here, which complement these commercial activities.

Dana Wineland, Planning / Zoning Secretary
Phone: (609) 266-7600 ext. 205
Email: [email protected]

Are there any financial/tax benefits to developing in this municipality?

There are financial incentives and tax benefits available for businesses looking to develop in Brigantine.

Local Small Business Loan Programs from the Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA) 

For Atlantic County Businesses | ACIA Business Loans May be Combined with Small Business Administration Loans for Maximum Impact

Click here for details

New Jersey Economic Development Authority Business Loan and Incentives Programs 

For New Jersey Businesses | Various Loans and Incentives | Click here for details

Primary Contact

• Name: Vincent J. Sera
• Title: Mayor
• Phone Number: 609-266-7600