Community Corner
2023 Jersey Shore Beach Guide: Beach Badges And Parking
Get the information you want on beach badge prices and parking access for the Jersey Shore for the summer of 2023.
NEW JERSEY — Summer is just around the corner, and for many that means days spent lounging on the beach at the Jersey Shore.
How much will it cost to get your beach badges this year? Here is Patch's annual guide to beach fees and parking access.
Most towns are scheduled to open their beaches Memorial Day weekend and operate weekends only until mid-June. Many towns are still hiring staff for the summer season, including lifeguards. Filling openings has been difficult in the last few summers, so it's always wise to double-check with the town where you're headed to make sure there are no issues on a particular day.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Just a reminder that most towns and beaches have rules about coolers, playing ball, music, tents and other items for your beach spread.
A reminder, too, that while recreational marijuana is legal for adult consumption, it is not legal to smoke it on the beaches in New Jersey. Smoking of any kind was banned on the beaches
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Here is the list of towns, beaches and beach fees for each for 2023, as of May 3:
The beaches are accessible for passive recreation, such as walking and running, but no lifeguards will be on duty until Memorial Day weekend. Beach parking fees are $20 per vehicle for daily parking and $100 for a season parking pass.
Take note: starting June 24, the National Park Service will no longer be accepting cash. Read more: Starting June 24, Sandy Hook Will Only Accept Credit Cards
The season pass is valid May 26-Sept. 4, 2023. Active military members and U.S. military veterans who own an America the Beautiful annual pass will receive free beach parking at Gateway. Active duty military photo identification will be required at all times to verify ownership of the annual pass, and the vehicle hang tag issued with the pass must be displayed at all times at Sandy Hook. For oversized vehicles (more than 20 feet), parking is $50 per day or $200 per season. Hours of collection are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Season passes for beach parking can be purchased online or at the Sandy Hook entrance gate. For online passes, please visit www.recreation.gov and search for Sandy Hook beach parking.
The following are banned at Sandy Hook: Alcohol; Smoking; Tents or shelters (baby tents allowed, a baby or toddler must be present); Barbecuing and open fires; Group gatherings including group picnics; Sports; Glass containers; Coolers that are more than 24 quarts in size per group; Dogs and kites from March 15-Sept. 15 (Leashed dogs are allowed on bay-side beaches); Entering areas with symbolic fencing; Climbing on rocks/groins; Accessing the dunes (except at designated dune crossings).
The Sea Bright Municipal Beach and Anchorage Beach will be in operation from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Season beach badges are available for $100, and daily badges are $8 per person for those 12 and older. Season badges for seniors 65 and older and those with disabilities are $35. Children under 12 get in free, as do active-duty military and their families.
There are seven free public beach access ways on Ocean Avenue that are identified by signs. Those provide access to the public-use area in front of the private beach clubs and are considered unsupervised municipal beaches. No lifeguards are present on those beaches and they are governed by the rules in Chapter 66 of the Code of Sea Bright.
Parking will be available in the municipal parking lot with a reduced capacity; payment through the parking app Pay2Park.
Season beach badge prices are broken down for members and nonmembers, along with residents and nonresidents. For members who want to use the beach only, it's $100 for the season (plus the membership fee). There are additional options for members for use of the swimming pool.
For nonmembers, the season pass for the beach for those 12 and older is $100. Daily badges are $12. Purchase through the Community Pass system. Parking passes are $65 for the season.
Municipal beaches open Memorial Day weekend. Season beach badges are on sale through May 26 at the city's Recreation Department at 231 Wilbur Ray Ave. or at the tax collector's office in City Hall. Season passes are $70 for adults, $30 for 14-17. Daily badges will be available for purchase at each beach entrance; they are $6 for those 18 and older on weekdays, $9 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Teens 14 to 17 are $3 daily. Those 13 and under and 62 or older with ID, and disabled people get on free. Parking in the city's municipal lots is $10 per day.
SEVEN PRESIDENTS OCEANFRONT PARK
This park is operated by the Monmouth County Parks System. The beach opens Memorial Day weekend and is open weekends until June 16, then daily until Labor Day. Season passes for park access and parking can be purchased by phone until June 17 for pick-up at Thompson Park Headquarters in Middletown weekdays. On-site sales at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park start on weekends as of May 13, and daily as of June 17, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Season passes are free for 17 and under, $75 for those 18-64, $30 for 65 or older and $20 for those with a New Jersey State Disability pass. Parking passes are $75 with no discounts. Daily fees are $10 for individuals 18 years old and over; those 17 and under are free, and daily parking is $10. All U.S. military members, including active duty, National Guard, Reservists, retired and veterans, and their spouses and dependent children, can enter the park free of charge. Veterans must show their identification card and be present at time of entry.
Allenhurst Beach Club membership fees are posted here, with prices for residents and nonresidents. Questions about membership should be directed to Borough Hall, the beach club website says. Daily passes for nonmembers are $10 for adults; children 12 and younger are free but must be accompanied by an adult. Daily passes allow access to the bathrooms and showers but not the pool area or cabanas. Daily gates are at Cedar and Allen avenues. Daily tickets can be purchased via the Viply app; scan your receipt at one of the two daily entrances for access.
The beaches open Memorial Day weekend and will be open weekends through June 12, and daily after that until Labor Day. Season beach badges are $70 for adults, $20 for seniors 62 and older with valid ID and for teens 13 to 17. Children 12 and under are free but must have adult supervision, and active-duty military and their dependents, retired, disabled and non-active veterans are free. Daily beach badges are $6 on weekdays, $9 on weekends and holidays. Season and daily beach badges can be purchased through the Viply app (processing fees apply) and picked up at the Beach Office or, for daily passes, at the beach entrances. Visitors are urged to use the Park Mobile app (www.parkmobile.io) for payment instead of parking kiosks.
The beach opens Memorial Day weekend, and is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. On Sunday the beach does not open until noon. Season badges and daily beach passes may be purchased with the Viply app. Season passes are $95 for adults, $50 for those 12 to 17 and 65 or older. Daily wristbands are $12. Pick-up for daily bands is at the Beach Office on the Ocean Grove boardwalk.
Deal Casino Beach Club has a waiting list for memberships and does not offer single-day beach access for swimming.
Daily beach badges are $10 weekdays, $12 weekends and holidays and must be purchased using the Viply app, through Viply's website, or an on-site credit card machine. Season passes are $110 for adults and children 12 and older, $80 for senior citizens. Badges are available for pick-up from the Village Beach Gatehouse, Euclid Avenue, and Ocean Place.
The beach is staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Season badges are on sale at the Avon Municipal Building, 301 Main St., until Memorial Day weekend. Adult badges are $100, seniors 65 and older and kids ages 12 to 18 are $55. Daily beach wristbands are $12, cash or check only. Purchase details are available on the borough's website.
The beach opens Memorial Day weekend and is open weekends until June 17, when they open daily. Season badges are $80 for adults, $35 for 65 and older or teens ages 13 to 15. Children 12 and under are free, as are active military and their dependents. Daily badge prices were not available at as of May 3; they are sold through the Viply app. There are beach wheelchairs available. Check the borough website for more information.
The beach opens Memorial Day weekend. All badges must be purchased online at Community Pass. Season badges are $110 for those 12 and older, $80 for those 65 and older. Daily beach badges are $12 and available for purchase at the beach.
The beaches open Memorial Day weekend and badges are needed seven days a week through Labor Day. Daily badges are $10, with children 15 and younger free. Season badges are $70 for adults, $30 for those 65 and over with identification verifying age. Badges can be purchased online at belmarbeachbadges.com, by texting "Badges" to 44622, or by scanning a QR code at Beachfront paid parking available through the ParkMobile app. Full rules for the beach are here.
The beach opens weekends starting Memorial Day weekend then is open daily beginning June 18. Season badges are $115, seniors 65 and older are $20. Daily badges are $11.98. Badges can be purchased online on the borough website.
Season beach badges must be purchased using a Community Pass account. Adult season badges for those ages 17-64 are $85, $40 for those 12-16, and $30 for those 65 and older. Proof of age is required for the under-17 and over-64 badges. Half-priced badges are available for those who have disabilities; proof of disabled status is required. Daily beach badge information was not available as of May 3. Check the Manasquan borough website for updates.
The beaches open for the season Memorial Day weekend. Jenkinson's has season passes for sale; they are $130 for those 12 and older, $55 for children ages 5-11 and $95 for those 65 and older. Daily beach badges can be purchased at any open beach gate. They are $4 for children 5-11 on weekdays, $5 on weekends and holidays, $12 for adults 12 and up weekdays, $13 on weekends and holidays.
The borough-owned Maryland Avenue beach will be open as of Memorial Day as well. Season badges are on sale online; daily badges are $15 for adults, children 12 and younger are free with an adult.
The beaches are operated by the Bay Head Improvement Association. Season memberships are $100 per badge, and badges are not required for children under age 12. Badges may be picked up at the BHIA's office, 532 Lake Ave., near Sotheby Realtors in the Sandy Rail Building. Badges will be required starting June 17. Daily badges are $10, cash only. The BHIA office will be open daily from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 10-16, and 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily June 17 through Labor Day.
Season beach badges are on sale for $110 through May 29; the price increases to $120 starting May 30. Daily badges are $13 and can be purchased at the sales shed on Downer Avenue, between the Firehouse and the municipal building, which will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Credit card and check only, no cash). Mantoloking provides beach alerts through the CivicReady app.
Brick Beach 1, 2, and 3 on the ocean, and Windward Beach Park open beginning Memorial Day weekend. Season badges are $30 until May 15, and $45 from May 16 on. Season parking passes are $30, $45 from May 16 on. Parking passes for senior citizens are $15. Daily badges are $10 and daily parking passes are $10. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Those who will be 65 or older as of Sept. 1, 2023, are eligible for a free daily wristband with proof of age, and as are U.S. military veterans with military ID. Season passes can be purchased at the township's recreation office, 270 Chambers Bridge Road, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Beaches open starting Memorial Day weekend. Season badges are $50 through Memorial Day, and $60 after Memorial Day. Weekly badges are $40. Daily badges are $11 Monday-Friday, $12 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Toms River Township residents 62 and over may obtain a Senior Identification/Beach pass by presenting proof of age. The photo identification provides lifetime access to township beaches; a one-time processing fee of $15 is required.
Season badges are $65 per person, $20 for those 65 and older, and $15 for those who are totally disabled. They can be picked up in the lobby of the municipal building. Daily badges are $13, and weekly badges are $35. Children 12 and under, veterans of any military service and all active-duty military service personnel are free.
Season badges are $50 through May 15, and $60 beginning May 16. Weekly badges are $35, and daily badges are $10 for the ocean beaches. The bay beach is $5 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Season badges for those 65 and older are $15; two senior badges are $25 if purchased at the same time and both people are present when purchased. Beach admission is free for children 11 and younger and for active and retired military personnel and their dependents, with the appropriate Common Access Card, Uniformed Services ID Card, DD Form 214, or Veterans Benefit ID card issued by the VA.
Season beach badges go on sale May 1 and are $65 through June 14, $70 starting June 15. Season badges are $20 for those 65 or older with valid ID and are sold at the bathhouse only. Daily badges are $13 per person. Children 11 and under are free, and active and retired military are free with proper ID.
Island Beach State Park is open daily. The entry fees were suspended in 2022 for the 2023 fiscal year that ends June 30. Fees for entry to Island Beach State Park are $6 for NJ residents, $12 for nonresidents weekdays, $10 for state residents and $20 for nonresidents on weekends and holidays. There is no word on whether the fees will be suspended again for 2023. The park fills early; follow Island Beach State Park on Facebook for notifications on closures and openings. Annual mobile sportfishing permits are sold out until Oct. 1, when they will be available again for the fall fishing season. The park opens at 8 a.m. for visitors (5 a.m. for mobile sport fishing; you must have a permit on your vehicle to drive on the beach). Lifeguards will be on the beach beginning at 10 a.m. The park closes 8 p.m. No fires, no tents including porta-potty/changing tents, truck tents and pick-up truck bed tents. Three-sided "clamshell" and see-through canopies are allowed.
Season badges are $35 through June 5, $45 from June 6 on. Daily badges are $5 and weekly badges are $22. Season badges for those 65 or older are $12 and must be purchased in person at borough hall, 10 E 7th St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Children 11 and under are free. Beach badges now can be purchased through the Viply app.
LOVELADIES (See Long Beach Township below)
Season badges are $35 through June 15, $45 from June 16 on. Weekly badges are $20 and daily badges are $7. Children 11 and under are free. Season badges are $12 for those 65 and older and must be purchased in person with proof of age. Beach admission is free to active duty military and their dependents with a valid military status ID and to veterans with acceptable proof of honorable discharge. Season badges are available at 7606 Long Beach Blvd., daily and weekly badges may be purchased from the beach badge checker on the beach. Only cash or checks are accepted. Guarded beaches: 86th, 83rd, 80th, 77th, 73rd, 69th streets, Middlesex Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, Hudson Avenue, Cape May Avenue, 5417 Blvd. easement(aka Cumberland), Bergen Avenue South, & Bay Beach at West 75th Street.
Season badges are $40 from May 1-31, $50 beginning June 1. Weekly badges are $20 and daily are $10. Children 11 and under and seniors 65 or older are free. Active-duty military and their immediate families are free with a wristband. Details are available at the Badge Booth, 609-361-7655. Guarded beaches: South 2nd St., Division, North 2nd., 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18, 20th, 22nd, 24th Streets.
Season badges are on sale for $35 from May 1-May 31, then increase to $45 beginning June 1. Weekly badges are $25 and daily are $10. Season badges for seniors are $10 and must be purchased in person at borough hall, 1621 Long Beach Blvd., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Beach entry is free for veterans who show ID, active-duty military and their spouse with military ID, and for children 12 and younger. Guarded beaches: Approximately every other beach from 4th Street to 25th Street.
Season badges are $40 through June 15, $50 from June 16 on. Weekly badges are $20, and daily badges are $10. Children 11 and younger are free. Season badges are $5 for those 65 and older. Free badges for the military and veterans are available with ID. Badges can be purchased at the 68th Street office in Brant Beach or, for daily badges, from beach badge checkers. The guarded beaches in Long Beach Township are as follows:
- Loveladies: tract 153 (Dolphin), tract 141(Seaview), Coast Avenue, tract 99 (Harbor North), tract 85, tract 53 (Harbor South),
- North Beach: tract 1199 (Green), tract 1087 (Flamingo), tract 1065 (pumphouse), tract 1049, tract 1023, tract 1005
- Brant Beach: 32nd Street,36th Street, 40th Street, 44th Street, 48th Street, 52nd Street, 55th Street, 58th Street, 62nd Street, 66th Street, 68th Street, 68th Street (bay beach)
- Beach Haven Crest: 70th Street, 75th Street, 78th Street, 82nd Street, 86th Street, 91st Street, 95th Street, 100th Street, 104th Street, 110th Street, 114th Street.
- Spray Beach: Colorado Avenue (118th), Ramp Avenue (122nd), Dune Avenue (127th), Pennsylvania Avenue (131st), & Bay Beach (131st), 33rd Street, 29th Street, 25th Street, 21st Street, 17th Street, 14th Street
- Holgate: Osborne Avenue, Marshall Avenue, Susan Avenue, Rosemma Avenue, Scott Drive, Chatham Avenue, Jacqueline Avenue, Harding Avenue, Washington Avenue
Beach badges are required beginning June 17. Season badges are $30 until May 31, $40 starting June 16. Weekly badges are $20 and daily badges are $5. Children 12 and under are free. Badges can be purchased through the Viply app, at beach badge office on Centre Street beginning May 13 or through the Viply app, or starting June 24 with beach badge checkers. Those 65 and older may receive a free lifetime Senior Badge at the Centre Street badge office with ID. Veterans may receive free season badges at the Centre Street office with proper ID. Active duty military and their immediate family members may receive free weekly wristbands at the Centre Street badge office with ID. The following beaches are guarded: 12th Street, Taylor Avenue, 5th Street, 2nd Street, Engleside Avenue, Belvoir Street, between Liberty and Pelham avenues, and between Kentford and Leeward avenues.
Season badges are $20 through May 31, $25 starting June 1. Weekly badges are $15, and daily are $10. Those 60 to 64 can get a discounted beach badge for $8 through May 31, and those 65 and older can get a free tag with ID; you must pick up in person. Active-duty military receive up to four free tags for themselves and their family; veterans receive free tags for themselves. Tags can be purchased through the Viply APP or at the Beach Fee Office, 265 42nd St. Beach parking permits are $25 for the season and $8 for the day and must be permanently affixed to the back of the car’s rearview mirror. They are not transferable from one vehicle to another.
Beach access is free. There are several access points, handicap access and restrooms. Full details are available on the Atlantic City website.
VENTNOR CITY
Season badges are $10 through May 31, $20 beginning June 1. Season badges are $3.50 for senior citizens. Purchase at Ventnor City Hall or on the beach by any beach badge inspector. Cash and credit cards are accepted; contact the Ventnor City Clerk's Office for additional information at 609-823-7904 or email lhand@ventnorcity.org. They also can be purchased through the VIPLY app.
Season badges are $10 prior to May 31 for those 12 and older and $3.50 for those 65 or older. Starting June 1 all season badges are $20. Season badges are free for veterans and active-duty military members with proper military identification. Season badges can be purchased by mail (must be received at Margate town hall by May 31) or through the Viply mobile app.
Season beach tags are on sale now through June 2 for $20, and the price rises to $35 beginning June 3. For those 65 or older the tags are $5 through June 2, $10 after. Children 11 and under are free. Active-duty military and veterans can receive free beach tags; they are obtained only in person with a valid military ID Card, DD214, or Atlantic County Veteran ID card. Badges are sold at borough hall, 2305 Atlantic Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends in May; starting May 27, they are sold daily at the community building, 33rd and Atlantic avenues.
Season beach tags are $30 through May 31, $35 beginning June 1. They can be purchased online and picked up. Weekly and daily tag prices were not available as of May 3 but can be found at the same site as the season tags. Children 11 and under are free. Free season tags are available to active military members, their spouses and their immediate children up to age 23, and to veterans (only the veteran). The military/veterans tags are available at City Hall, the Route 52 Welcome Center, the 34th Street Information Center, the 46th Street Information Center and the Music Pier Welcome Center.
No beach badges required and parking is free. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in season. More information available on the Upper Township website.
Beach tags are required from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Wednesdays are free beach days. Season beach tags are $20 through May 15, $25 beginning May 16. Weekly tags are $10 and daily are $5. Children 11 and younger are free. Active-duty military and their family members. are eligible for free weekly tags. A DD1173 card must be presented and the military member must be present. Veterans are eligible for a free season beach tag; DD214 identification must be presented by the qualifying veteran. Buy them from the beach tag office at the welcome center, through the Viply app, or through the vending machine in the lobby of City Hall, 233 JFK Blvd.
Season beach tags are $30 through May 31, $35 beginning June 1. Weekly tags are $17 and daily tags are $8. Children 11 and under are free. Season tags are sold at the Avalon Tax Collector's Office at Avalon Borough Hall, 3100 Dune Dr.; at the Beach Tag Booth at Avalon Community Hall, 30th Street and Avalon Avenue, and the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, 2989 Ocean Dr. Beach tags also can be purchased using the Viply app. Free tags are available for veterans and for active-duty military and their families with proper identification. Avalon and Stone Harbor have a reciprocal beach tag agreement, so tags are good in both communities.
Season beach tags are $32 through May 31, $40 beginning June 1. Weekly tags are $17 and daily are $8. Children 11 and younger are free. Veterans can receive a free, specialized veterans tag; you must appear in person with a copy of their DD 214 Form which indicates they have been honorably discharged. Active-duty military and families can pick up free tags only at the Beach Tag office during normal business hours after Memorial Day weekend. The beach tag office at 95th Street and the beach is open weekends from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Borough hall at 9508 Second Ave. is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Avalon and Stone Harbor have a reciprocal beach tag agreement, so tags are good in both communities.
NORTH WILDWOOD, WILDWOOD, WILDWOOD CREST
The beaches are free and guarded daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Handicap access is available by contacting the beach patrol for the corresponding area. (North Wildwood, First Aid Station at 15th Avenue; Wildwood, Contact lifeguard headquarters at Lincoln Avenue and beach; Wildwood Crest, contact lifeguard headquarters at Rambler Road and beach).
Season beach tags are $30, weekly tags are $20 and daily tags are $8. Cape May also offers a tag for three consecutive days for $15. Children 11 and younger are free. Active duty military, their spouses and dependent children can receive free beach tags; the military member must be present at the time of pick-up, and have proper ID. Veterans are eligible for free beach tags with proper ID. Tags are available weekdays at City Hall Tax Office (643 Washington St.) and any beach entrance during the summer. They also can be purchased through the Viply app.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
