Manahawkin is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located within Stafford Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 2,303. Manahawkin has been thought to be a Lenape word meaning "land of good corn", although this has been disputed by recent scholars claiming that it translates to "fertile land sloping into the water."Manahawkin is the gateway to the resort communities on Long Beach Island, with Route 72 providing the sole road access, ending in Ship Bottom as it crosses Manahawkin Bay via the Manahawkin Bay Bridge.