Can You Really Ice Skate on Wildwood Beach?

Can You Really Ice Skate on Wildwood Beach?

You may have seen a viral video on Facebook or Instagram showing Joey Contino ice skating on the Wildwood beach. Since the video first appeared, it has opened the floodgates to questions.

People from across the Tri State area have been calling city offices asking how long the ice skating rink will be there. Others have asked how something like this is even possible. Some even questioned whether the video was created using artificial intelligence.

Since I was the one behind the video, I figured it was best to clear a few things up.

First and most important. Yes, the video is real. No, this is not an artificial intelligence video. And no, the beach is not being turned into an official ice skating rink.

You can watch the full Youtube video at the bottom of this article.

What happened here was a rare combination of weather conditions that came together at just the right time.

During the recent snowstorm, Wildwood received heavy snowfall, then some rain, followed by a sharp drop in temperatures.

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After the snow fell, temperatures stayed below freezing for an extended period of time.

When the temperature dropped even further overnight, those shallow rain pools froze quickly and evenly. Since the water was only a few inches deep and spread across a smooth sandy surface, the ice formed into a flat, glass like layer.

That is the key reason this worked.

Deep water freezes unevenly. Moving water does not freeze easily at all. But shallow, still water on frozen ground can turn into a surprisingly solid sheet of ice when temperatures remain cold enough.

Add in calm wind conditions and the result is something you almost never see on a beach.

A skateable surface.

It is important to point out that this was very localized. This was not the entire beach. It was not miles of ice. It was a specific stretch where the conditions lined up perfectly.

As soon as temperatures rise or the next tide comes in, the ice begins to crack and break apart. Sunlight alone can weaken it within hours. That is why this is more of a fleeting moment than a repeatable event.

And no, this is not something people should try on their own without extreme caution. Ice near saltwater can be unpredictable, and conditions can change fast.

The other question we got was, does the ocean freeze in winter? Not really. We do see it though in the bay.

Bay is a wide, tidal estuary with a mix of saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean and freshwater flowing down from the Delaware River. Because saltwater freezes at a lower temperature than freshwater and because tides keep water moving, most of the bay usually stays ice free.

However, during prolonged periods of extreme cold, especially after major snowstorms, ice formation becomes possible.

Where Ice Forms First

Ice typically forms along the edges of the bay, not the middle.

Shallow coves, marshes, inlets, and back bay areas are the first to freeze. These spots have less water movement and often contain more freshwater influence from rivers and creeks, which allows ice to form more easily.

Areas near towns like Bivalve, Fortescue, and Reed’s Beach have historically seen ice during cold winters.

So can you really ice skate on the beach?

Technically yes. But only when nature decides to cooperate in a very specific and very rare way.

Before we wrap up, you can watch the full YouTube video at the bottom of this article to see exactly how it looked and how it happened. Do please subscribe to our Youtube Channel

Sometimes the Jersey Shore surprises you. Even in the middle of winter.