Beaches Closing To Swimming In NJ As Lifeguards Head Off To College

Summer is winding down at the Jersey Shore. For many, it means squeezing out the last bit of summer fun at the beach before the kids go back to school.

But back-to-school also means students heading off to college and leaving behind their summer jobs.

That includes lifeguards, and the college exodus is creating staffing shortages that are forcing towns to curtail swimming access at beaches up and down the Jersey coast.

While it's always been a problem at the end of summer, in 2026 it appears to be more acute with a combination of schools opening sooner because Labor Day falls a week into September.

The issue gained attention on Monday as Seaside Park announced some of its beaches would be unguarded due to staffing issues.

The timing also comes as the risk of rip currents rises along the coast. The National Weather Service forecast for Aug. 22 and 23 says there is a moderate risk of rip currents, which can quickly pull even the strongest swimmers out from shore.

"Please swim near a guarded stand and always use caution in the ocean," the Seaside Park Beach Patrol wrote on its Instagram account. The beach patrol has posted which beaches will be without lifeguards nearly every day since Monday. It wasn't clear if there would be unguarded beaches on Saturday and Sunday.

At Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, lifeguards are done for the season, according to the National Park Service.

"Swimming is prohibited at locations without lifeguards and when lifeguards are not on duty," the National Park Service said. "Swimming when lifeguards are not on duty is DANGEROUS. ... Lifeguards are there to protect you, so only swim when and where lifeguards are on duty. A drowning can happen in seconds. Strong currents and sudden drop-offs have contributed to drownings. Don’t enter the water unless there is a lifeguard on duty."

(Know how to identify a rip current and how to get out of one safely: Rip Currents: What To Look For, How To Survive Them)

Sea Isle City and Ship Bottom shared updates on their Facebook pages.

"As guards return to school there will be changes to the lifeguard stands that are staffed," the Sea Isle update read. "Before heading to the beach go to www.sicbp.com and read the red alert banner scrolling across the top of the page to see what lifeguard stand is closest to your location."

In Ship Bottom, the beach staffing was changing day to day.

In North Wildwood, town officials shared a list that applies through Labor Day.

"The North Wildwood Beach Patrol lifeguards will be stationed at the following locations: 1st and Surf (Inlet Beach), 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 24th, and 25th (Front Beach) Aves. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Labor Day (September 7, 2026)," the post said. "The North Wildwood Beach Patrol strongly advises all beachgoers to swim near a lifeguard only during hours of operation."

Wildwood and Cape May City all have posted information about unguarded beaches on their Facebook pages.

Wildwood shared its staffing changes on Aug. 13:

Cape May City also listed which beaches would be staffed with lifeguards in the coming days: