Cliffwood Beach is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Aberdeen Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,036.
Cliffwood Beach was purchased in 1860 by Henry Clark, who planned on creating a resort community. Although the concept initially failed, in 1923 the company of Morrisey and Walker created the concept of a resort community in Cliffwood Beach, with summer bungalows complementing the emerging resorts of the Jersey shoreline of the 1920s. The real estate sales offices of Morrisey and Walker was a local attraction in itself, being contracted in the appearance of a pirate ship, as an homage to the lore of Captain Kidd and his treasure and Treasure Lake in Cliffwood Beach.
In 1924, a one-mile boardwalk was constructed along the shoreline of Cliffwood Beach. In 1926 the Country Club Casino was built along the cliff walk, overlooking Treasure Lake. Also in 1926, the Cat 'n Fiddle restaurant opened, along with a merry-go-round and an arcade. In 1928, construction began for a salt water pool adjacent to the boardwalk and Treasure Lake. Completed in 1929, it was a state attraction, frequented by Olympic medalists George Kojak and Johnny Weissmuller. Weissmuller later became famous for his role as "Tarzan".
A Cliffwood Beach directional sign is seen briefly in the 1939 documentary The City (with music by Aaron Copland). An unending traffic jam getting to the beach is used in the film as an endemic problem of unplanned growth.
Cliffwood Beach was a popular resort until the 1950s, with a boardwalk, saltwater swimming pool, dining and dancing at the Cat 'n Fiddle, and other amusements. The beachfront facilities were destroyed by a series of hurricanes in 1954: Carol (August 30), Edna (September 11) and Hazel (October 15). In 1955, Hurricane Diane destroyed all that had remained of Cliffwood Beach's amusements, with the exception of the saltwater pool, which survived the storms but was later filled in.
Cliffwood Beach was an early recipient of aid through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Green Acres Program, which was established in 1961. The township received funds to build a park near the Cliffwood Beach waterfront. The tennis courts have since been converted to an enclosed in-line skating arena, and the original playground equipment and two basketball courts have been upgraded.
The community was featured in Weird NJ magazine's Issue #28. The article, "Cliffwood Beach: A Forgotten Resort", recounted the abrupt manner in which the town was forgotten.
Nothing remains of any of the boardwalk amusements except for the large swimming pool, which lies abandoned and filled with debris.
On August 8, 2017, the Aberdeen Township opened the beachfront Veterans Park, which includes a pirate-ship themed spray park for all ages; two pirate-themed playgrounds, one for kids ages 2–5 and the other 5–12; a picnic grove with shade, a multi-purpose field for Little League baseball, softball, and soccer; a kayak and small watercraft launch; a gazebo/band shell; a flagpole and war veterans' memorial monument; and a restroom/equipment/storage building.
On July 19, 2018, the township completed and opened the Aberdeen Sea Walk, a half-mile trail that primarily runs along the original damaged seawall. It features nine fishing outcrops, 15 outlooks, several benches, and a gazebo. There are 38 LED pathway lights as well as several security cameras to prevent vandalism. A five-foot teak boardwalk outlet path was added by the gazebo to the beach. The project fully connected Beach Drive and Lakeshore Drive, creating the first fully connected recreational infrastructure for the first time in decades.
Geography
thumb|VFW post in Cliffwood Beach
thumb|left|Ross Field
thumb|left|Public Service facility
Cliffwood Beach is in northern Monmouth County, in the northernmost part of Aberdeen Township. It lies north of Route 35 and is bounded by Keyport on the east and Laurence Harbor in Middlesex County on the west. The community faces Raritan Bay, including a portion of Keyport Harbor, and Matawan Creek separates Cliffwood Beach from Keyport. To the west, the beach continues as Raritan Bay Beach and Seidler Beach into Old Bridge Township in Middlesex County. The counties are separated by Whale Creek, which is spanned near the bayfront by a concrete bridge.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Cliffwood Beach CDP has a total area of , including of land and of water (5.72%).