Ship Bottom NJ Homes For Sale | Gateway to LBI Real Estate

Neighborhood Overview

About Ship Bottom

Ship Bottom is literally where the Route 72 Causeway lands on Long Beach Island — making it the gateway every visitor crosses through and the most strategically located community on LBI. The borough sits at the geographic center of the island, with about 1,300 year-round residents and a steady mix of seasonal homeowners who appreciate being a five-minute drive from the mainland.

Pricing in Ship Bottom remains noticeably more attainable than the southern LBI towns of Beach Haven and Long Beach Township, while still offering everything buyers want from the island — ocean blocks two streets from the sand, bay blocks with sunset views, and a walkable commercial strip along Long Beach Boulevard packed with restaurants, surf shops, ice cream stands and seasonal retail.

The rental market here is one of the strongest on the entire island. Because Ship Bottom is the first stop coming off the bridge, vacationers love the convenience for trips to the mainland for groceries, urgent care and dining outside the island. Investors regularly see strong summer rental income with weekly rates well into five figures for waterfront and ocean-block homes.

Ocean-block homes carry the premium in Ship Bottom — typically $1.8M–$3M+ for newer construction — while bay blocks and west-side homes can be found below the median, making this one of the more accessible entry points to LBI ownership. New construction continues to replace older cottages, and rebuild activity remains strong.

For Matt Dunn, Ship Bottom is personal — his Weichert office is located here at 326 W Ninth St, giving clients local representation literally on the island. If you're considering LBI as a primary, second home or investment, Ship Bottom is almost always the first conversation.

Real Estate Market

Ship Bottom Home Prices & Trends

Ship Bottom's market reflects its sweet spot on LBI — more affordable than the south end but more central than Barnegat Light. Median sale prices have climbed steadily, with newer construction commanding well over $2M and tear-downs on smaller lots starting around $900K.

Ocean Block Homes

Newer reverse-living builds, typically 3–5 bedrooms, $1.8M–$3M+

Bay Block & West Side

Original cottages and rebuilds, $900K–$1.5M, often investor favorites

New Construction

Ongoing rebuild activity replacing 1960s cottages with elevated coastal homes

Lagoonfront

Limited inventory with private dockage on the bay side

Who Lives Here

The Ship Bottom Community

Year-Round

About 1,300 full-time residents — a tight-knit community of business owners, retirees who chose LBI as their primary residence, and a growing number of remote workers who relocated post-pandemic.

Seasonal

Population swells to 10,000+ in summer. Heavy seasonal rental presence with families returning year after year.

Buyer Profile

Buyers tend to be Staten Island, North Jersey and Philly families purchasing their first or second LBI home. Strong appeal for investors thanks to rental demand and convenience to the bridge.

Things To Do

Living & Visiting Ship Bottom

8th Street Beach

Lifeguarded family beach with restrooms, parking and easy access from the boulevard.

Joey D's Pizza

A Ship Bottom institution for over four decades — counter slices and whole pies.

Wave Hut

Local surf shop and gathering spot for the island's surfing community.

Surflight Pancake House

Breakfast staple known for stacks and lines down the boulevard on summer mornings.

Acme Markets

Full-size grocery store — a rarity on LBI and a major convenience for residents.

Foodtown of Ship Bottom

Second grocery option keeping the borough self-sufficient year-round.

Flood Zone & Insurance

Flood Zone Information

Ship Bottom sits at sea level on a barrier island. Most properties fall within FEMA AE flood zones with base flood elevations typically 8–10 feet. Homes built or substantially renovated post-Sandy are elevated to current code, and flood insurance is required for any property with a federally-backed mortgage. New construction is built well above base flood elevation, making rebuild properties particularly resilient.

Commute & Location

Getting To & From Ship Bottom

5 minutes via Route 72 Causeway

To Manahawkin/Stafford

15 minutes

To Garden State Parkway

~60 miles, 70–80 minutes

To Staten Island

~75 miles, 90 minutes

To Philadelphia

~90 miles, 2 hours

To NYC

Frequently Asked Questions

Ship Bottom NJ Real Estate FAQ

What is Ship Bottom NJ known for?

Ship Bottom is known as the Gateway to Long Beach Island — the borough where the Route 72 Causeway lands on LBI. It is centrally located with the island's largest commercial strip, two full-size grocery stores, popular surf shops and excellent beaches.

How far is Ship Bottom from the mainland?

Ship Bottom is directly connected to the mainland by the Route 72 Causeway. It takes about five minutes to drive from downtown Ship Bottom to Manahawkin in Stafford Township.

What is the median home price in Ship Bottom NJ?

The median home price in Ship Bottom is approximately $1,400,000 in 2026. Ocean-block homes typically range from $1.8M to over $3M, while bay-side and west-side homes can be found for under $1M.

Is Ship Bottom good for year round living?

Yes. Ship Bottom has one of the larger year-round populations on LBI at about 1,300 residents. The borough has two grocery stores, restaurants open year-round, easy bridge access for commuters, and a strong community feel even in the off-season.

What is the rental income potential in Ship Bottom NJ?

Ship Bottom is one of LBI's strongest rental markets due to its central location and walkability. Weekly summer rentals typically range from $4,500 for modest homes to over $15,000 for newer ocean-block builds.

What are flood zones like in Ship Bottom NJ?

Most of Ship Bottom is in FEMA AE flood zones with base flood elevations of 8–10 feet. Newer construction is built well above base flood elevation, and flood insurance is required for any home with a federally-backed mortgage.

What restaurants and shops are in Ship Bottom NJ?

Ship Bottom has the largest commercial strip on LBI including Joey D's Pizza, Wave Hut surf shop, the Surflight Pancake House, Acme Markets, Foodtown and dozens of seasonal restaurants, ice cream shops and retail stores.

Is Ship Bottom NJ a good investment property location?

Yes. Ship Bottom is widely considered one of the best investment markets on LBI thanks to high rental demand, walkability to beach and bay, central island location and consistent year-over-year appreciation.

Ship Bottom NJ — Gateway to Long Beach Island