Ecotourists travel to Jersey Shore to experience the outdoors

For years, day trippers have flocked to the Jersey Shore to lay on the beach and soak up the sun and surf.

But there's now a new visitor heading to the shore: ecotourists who, experts say want to experience nature rather just observe it. And their desire to hike trails, climb rocks, spot birds or watch whales and dolphins is starting to translate into big dollars for local economies.