I’m a true Jersey Girl. I grew up on New Jersey beaches, and there’s no place I’d rather be. So when Barista Kids asked me to give them a round up of Jersey’s beaches, I jumped at the chance. Some of my favorite beaches include North Wildwood, Cape May, and Ocean City, but New Jersey has so many great beaches it’s really hard to choose. I’m sure whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in New Jersey.
Here’s your Jersey Shore Beach Guide:
Ocean County
Barnegat Light: 609-494-9196
Passes can be purchase at the beach or available pre-season at Borough Hall, 10 W. 10th St.,
Daily $5, Weekly $15, Pre-season $18, Seasonal 28.
Restrooms can be found at the 10th Street and Bayview Avenue boat ramp and at Barnegat Light State Park. Food and alcohol are prohibited on the beach. Dogs also are prohibited May 1 through Oct 1. Places to eat can be found in the business district, drive westward from the beaches to the Boulevard and Broadway.
Beach Haven: 609-492-0111
Daily $5, Weekly $20, Pre-season $25, Children 12 yrs and younger and Adults over 65 yrs FREE
FREE daily badge for military personnel and their dependents, with proof.
There are restrooms near the Centre Street oceanfront deck. Also restrooms are located by the bayfront on Dock Road and in Schooner’s Wharf and the Bay Village area (Taylor Ave.). Also at Pearl St. and Bay Ave. (by the tennis courts). There are restrooms near the Centre Street oceanfront deck. Also restrooms are located by the bayfront on Dock Road and in Schooner’s Wharf and the Bay Village area (Taylor Ave.). Also at Pearl St. and Bay Ave. (by the tennis courts).
Harvey Cedars: 609-361-6000
Daily $5, Weekly $15, Pre-season $20, Seasonal $30, Seniors $9.
The family-oriented community is frequented by one-day visitors and seasonal vacationers. Playground equipment, volleyball, baseball, boccie and a paved fitness track are available, as are restrooms which include an outdoor shower.
Long Beach Twp: 609-361-1000
Daily $5, Weekly $20, Pre-season $25, Seasonal $35, Children under 12 are free., Senior $5.
Bay beaches are available for those who want to swim in calm, shallow waters. Bayview Park, located on 68th Street in Brant Beach, has bathroom facilities. The beaches are family-oriented. Restrooms are located in two other areas: Holgate on the far southern end; and at Harbor South in Loveladies.
Ship Bottom: 609-494-2171
Daily $7, Weekly $20, Pre-season $30, Seasonal $40, Seniors $10.
This is a family-oriented beach. A bay beach with a playground is located at 15th Street for those who want to avoid the ocean waves and currents; beach badges, at the same prices, are required there as well. A restroom facility is located at the Borough Hall.
Surf City: 609-494-3064
Daily $6, Weekly $15., Pre-season $25, Seasonal $30, Children 12 and under free, Seniors FREE
There is a bay bathing beach near 15th Street and Barnegat Avenue. Outdoor recreation areas, including basketball courts and a playground, can be found near Division Avenue and South First Street.
Monmouth County
Allenhurst: 732-531-2757
The Allenhurst Beach Club is municipally owned, but you can purchase passes Daily $7, Children 11 years and younger FREE
The beach is handicapped accessible with 2 chairs available
Asbury Park: 732-775-0900
Daily $5, Free for kids under 12, Weekend $6, Seasonal $70.
Lifeguards staff the beach at First, Third, Fifth, Seventh and Eighth avenues from June 19 through Labor Day.
Avon By The Sea: 732-502-4510
Daily $9, Seasonal $90.
Belmar: 732-681-3700
Daily $7, Seasonal $50, Senior Seasonal $15.
Free to Military Personnel
Beach playgrounds every few blocks. restrooms are located every few blocks.
Bradley Beach: 732-776-2999
Daily $7, $8 weekends and holidays, Season $65.
Food and beverages are permitted on the beach. Public Restrooms Newark, LaReine, Third and Evergreen Avenues. Showers are located on the beach. Changing Rooms are located and Cliff and Third Avenues. Bicycles are allowed from Midnight until 10 AM during the beach season.
Deal: 732-531-1454
Weekday $6 (12 and older), Weekends/ Holidays $7, Seasonal $100.
All beaches are handicapped accessible
Showers, a snack bar, and a playground available.
Highlands: 732-827-1224
Free access to bay beaches
Two small bay beaches.
Keansburg: 732-787-0214
Bay beaches are FREE
Loch Arbour: 732-531-4740
Weekday $5, Weekend/Holiday $6, Seasonal $90.
A snack bar, outdoor showers, and a small commercial area.
Long Branch: 732-571-6545
$7 daily; $42 seasonal for ages 12 to 16; $60 for ages 17 to 64; $23 for age 65 and older. Beach admission is free for age 11 and younger.
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park is a 38-acre beach park that is a great place to swim, sun and surf. It has playgrounds, beaches, a skateplex, an activity center, sand volleyball, and a pavilion with a snack bar and restrooms.
Manasquan: 732-223-2514
Daily $8, Seasonal $70, Kids 12-16 years Seasonal $35, Senior Seasonal $25. Seasonal Parking Permit $75.
There are separate lifeguard stations with a flag system designating swimming, rafting and surf boarding areas. In addition there is a designated fishing area at the Inlet Beach. The blacktop walk way spans 8/10’s of a mile.Manasquan has the only beach dedicated to the handicapped in the Jersey Shore area. Elks Beach provides handicapped parking and a wooden boardwalk to a platform on the beach.
Monmouth Beach: 732-229-4751
Seasonal $75, Kids 12-16 years Seasonal $75, Seniors $25. Seasonal Parking Permit $40
Ocean Grove: 732-775-0035
Daily $7, Children under 12 free, Weekend special $12, Weekly special $3, Seasonal $70.
Ocean Grove offers relief from the crowds, commercialism, and noise of other New Jersey beaches. The charming downtown is only two short blocks from the boardwalk — convenient for a quick bite, early shopping, and your accommodations.
Sandy Hook: 732-872-5970
Daily parking fee $10, Seasonal parking pass $50.
A seven-mile stretch of beach and a national park. Ocean and bay beaches are good for surf casting, swimming, and relaxing on the sand. Parking lots fill up early on weekends in the summer, causing the gates to close.
Sea Bright: 732-842-0215
Daily $8, Seasonal $100, Senior seasonal $35.
Sea Girt: 732-449-9433
Daily $9, Seasonal $10., Senior seasonal $55. Free for military personnel
Beginning Memorial Day weekend, lifeguards are on duty every Saturday and Sunday. Full-time lifeguards are on duty from June 16th through Labor Day.
Atlantic County
Atlantic City: Free Beaches
Brigantine: Purchase at the beach or available pre-season at City Hall, 1417 W. Brigantine Ave., 609-266-7600, Daily $8, Weekly $14, Seasonal $18, Seniors 65 or older and children younger than 12 years FREE
Cape May County
Cape May: Purchase at the beach or pre-season at Cape May City Hall (pre-seasons special available) 643 WashingtonStreet Cape May, NJ 08204
609.884.9525 Click Here for Website
Daily $5, Three day $10, Weekly $15, Seasonal $25.
There are several beaches. Read here for which one is the right one for your family.
Wildwood: All Wildwood beaches are free!
Wildwood City has very long beaches. Quite a hike to the water. Try Wildwood Crest or North Wildwood for a much shorter walk to the water and wooded walking paths.
Stone Harbor:
Daily tags $6, Seasonal tags beginning June 1st $26, Weekly tags (Saturday – Saturday) $12. May be purchased from inspectors on the beach or from the Beach Tag Office during the summer season.
To purchase tags by mail, send check with name and address and the number of tags desired. Tags will be held under your name at the Beach Tag Office located at:
Stone Harbor Beach Patrol Building
95th Street & the Beach
(609) 368-6805
Swimming, rafts, and surfboards are permitted at designated beaches only. Swimming and rafting beaches are all designated beaches except 81st, 86th, 105th, 110th, 112th, and 122nd Streets. The use of surfboards (with leases attached) are permitted at the beaches at 81st and 110th Streets only. Kayaks are permitted at 122nd Street through 126th Street only, and life jackets must be worn at all times while in the water.
Avalon:
Daily $6, Weekly (Saturday – Saturday) $12, Season tag (effective June 1) $26.
There are raft beaches, surf beaches and protected beaches throughout the 7 mile beaches of Avalon.
Ocean City:
Daily $5, Weekly $10, Pre-season $15, Seasonal $20. Purchase at beach or available pre-season at City Hall, 901 Asbury Ave., or on-line click here. (609) 525-9300
Ocean City, New Jersey proclaims itself “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” Ocean City offers 8 miles of pristine white sand beach. Lifeguards are on duty weekends from Memorial Day weekend to June 7, after which they are on duty daily, but only at certain locations until the final week of June.
Sea Isle City:
Daily $5, Weekly $10, Pre-season $15, Seasonal $20. Purchase at the beach or available pre-season at City Hall,4416 Landis Ave., (609)263-4461. The Beach Tag Office is now open seven days a week, at our temporary location, 9am to 3pm.
Offers bathing, rafting, surfing, volleyball and kayaking beaches.
Karen Sweitzer O’Brien is a true Jersey Girl. She grew up on New Jersey Beaches, and there’s no place she’d rather be. She blogs at Cape May County Moms and A Magical Mommy.
(Photo: Flickr)
(Photo: Flickr)
(Photo: Flickr)
Despite living in New Jersey for the majority of my life, I grew up vacationing at beaches in Delaware and the Carolinas. It always sounds like cognitive dissonance when I hear others brag about New Jersey beaches. Jersey beaches may be fine for a day trip every now and then, but if you want some time away from the crowds, dirty beaches, and horseflies, I suggest expanding your beach horizons.