The “SI” buoy marks the entrance to the Shark River Inlet–use Chart 12324, Edition 35.

The Ocean Avenue bascule bridge crosses the Shark River Inlet.  It has a 15 foot closed vertical clearance and opens on demand. On an incoming tide, do not enter the channel between the breakwaters until you are sure the bridge is going to open.

Three bridges cross the south channel of the Shark River. The state Route 71 bridge has a 13 foot closed vertical clearance. This bridge has restricted openings–from May 15 to Sept. 30, on weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., it opens on the hour and half hour only; weekday openings are on signal except between 4 and 7 p.m., when it opens on the hour and half-hour.

Just beyond that bridge is the railroad bridge which has a 8 foot closed vertical clearance (this bridge remains open until a train approaches) and then there is the newly constructed state Route 35 Bridge with a 50 foot fixed vertical clearance.

The Shark River Inlet has a reported depth of 12 feet at mean low water (The Shark River Inlet is on a dredging maintenance schedule with the Army Corp of Engineers).