Are You Hitting The Beach At The Jersey Shore In 2023? Take Our Poll

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — Last summer, the beaches up and down the Jersey Shore were packed on a regular basis as people shook off two summers of limitations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Island Beach State Park closed on a regular basis, its parking lot filled to capacity early each day. Parking near the beach was difficult to find in most towns.

In 2023, the fervor for going to the beach appears to be a bit less. Parking lots aren't as full, and personal space on the beach seems to be easier to find.

It's not just anecdotal observations, however. Seaside Heights daily beach badge revenues in May and June were about $130,000 less than usual, borough administrator Christopher Vaz said. The borough is "just shy of being even for July with 13 days to go," Vaz said Tuesday.

And Island Beach State Park — which is not charging admission again this summer — has had just one closing due to a full parking lot, on July 15, state Department of Environmental Protection officials said.

So, we're wondering: Are people going to the beach less in 2023? If you live outside the coastal counties — Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May — are you going to the Shore this year or are you skipping it? If you're not coming to the beach, why?

We want to hear from you. Take our poll: