Note: This guide covers accessing beaches in-season (Memorial Day to Labor Day). For information about accessing beaches with your vehicle in the off-season, see the guide linked below.Â
The six municipalities on Long Beach Island, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Twp., Ship Bottom, and Surf City all have different rules and regulations for beachgoing. While this can lead to confusion when trying to explore the island, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know when visiting each location to ensure your beach days are smooth sailing.
This year, several towns on Long Beach Island are introducing My Beach Mobile App, which will simplify the process of buying and carrying beach badges. The app will allow all beach badge purchases to be made digitally and can be downloaded here. As of right now, My Beach Mobile is only available for Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom, and Harvey Cedars.
Surfing rules on LBI beaches are generally liberal. The general rule of thumb is that if it’s not a swimming zone, you are allowed to surf there, however there are a few exceptions that you will see noted below.
LBI Beaches (click buttons to jump to section)
Beach Badges
- Where to purchase: Behind Borough Hall on 8th Street
- Â Pricing:
- Seasonal: $45
- Weekly: $22
- Daily $5
- Senior Seasonal: $12
- Military: Free admission for veterans and active military with proof of valid identification
- Required for individuals 12 and older
- Guarded beaches: 30th, 27th, 26th, 25th, 22nd, 21st, 19th, 17th, 14th, 12th, 10th, and 25th Bay Beach
Handicap Access
Beach Wheelchair: available for anyone with a mobility limiting disability (reservation must be made here)
Public Restrooms
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, West 10th Street at the Bay
Other Things to Know
The Beach Tram is available from 10am to 5pm for all patrons holding a beach badge. The Tram runs between 4th and 9th street, picking up beachgoers at the end of each street and dropping them off at the lifeguarded area between 9th and 10th Street.
Beach Badges
- Where to purchase: PHYSICAL PASSES – available for purchase starting June 22nd from badge checkers on the beach (cash only), at the badge office on Centre St. (cash, check, or credit card/fees apply) DIGITAL PASSES – via the My Beach Mobile App (FEES APPLIED), see below for more information
- Pricing:
- Seasonal: $40
- Weekly: $20
- Daily: $10
- Lifetime Senior Badge: $10
- Military: Free admission for veterans and active military with proof of valid identification
- Required for individuals 12 and older
- Wednesdays are free for all beachgoers!
Lifeguards (on duty 10am-5pm)
- Guarded beaches: 12th Street, Taylor Ave, 5th Street, 2nd Street, Centre Street, Engleside Ave, Pearl Street, Belvoir Ave, EssexAve, Liberty Ave, Kentford Ave
Handicap Access
- Beach Wheelchair: available at Centre Street Beach Patrol building (first come first serve)
- Beach Taxi Rides: Beach Haven offers this free service for those who are physically disabled. The beach taxi will pick you up and bring you to the beach on either Taylor Ave, Centre Street, Holyoke Ave, or Nelson Ave. Set up your appointment here.
- Handicapped Beach Access: Fifth Street, Centre Street, Pearl Street
Public Restrooms
- Taylor Ave Bay Beach, Centre Street (outside shower available), Dock Road, Marine Street Tennis Courts, Nelson Ave Playground
Other Things to Know
- Surfing is permitted while lifeguards are on duty, within designated areas marked by quartered black and white flags
- Tents are not allowed, only umbrellas no bigger than 7 feet and 4x4ft baby pop ups
- Wednesdays are free for all patrons
Beach Badges
- Where to purchase: Badge booth in Sunset Park or on My Beach Mobile
- Pricing:
- Seasonal: $45
- Weekly: $20
- Daily: $7
- Senior Seasonal: $12
- Military: Free admission for veterans and active military with proof of valid identification
- Required for individuals 12 and older
Lifeguards (on duty 10am-5pm)
- Guarded beaches: 86th, 83rd, 80th, 77th, 73rd, 69th, Middlesex Ave, Atlantic Ave, Hudson Ave, Cape May Ave, 5417 Blvd, Bergen Ave, Bay Beach
Handicap Access
- Beach Wheelchairs: available on a weekly basis by reservation, which can be made by calling 609-494-6905 or emailing hcdpw@harveycedars.org
- Utility Terrain Vehicles: available as an alternate for those unable to use a beach wheelchair. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 609-361-9733
Public Restrooms
- Sunset Park (outside shower available), Borough Hall on 75th Street
Other Things to Know
- Hudson Ave is a designated surfing beach
Beach Badges
- Where to purchase: 68th Street in Brant Beach or on My Beach Mobile
- Pricing:
- Seasonal: $50
- Weekly: $20
- Daily: $10
- Senior Citizen Seasonal: $5
- Military: Free admission for veterans and active military with proof of valid identification
- Required for individuals 12 and older
Lifeguards (on duty from 10am - 5pm)
- The location of the guard stands in LBT change based on the tides and weather. Their location is updated daily here.
Handicap Access
- Beach Wheelchair: call 609-361-1200 to reserve
- Handicap elevators can be found at the following locations:
- North beach: Tract 1065
- Bayview Park: 68th Street (handicap parking available)
- Beach Haven Park: 105th Street
- Haven Beach: 199th Street
- Beach Haven Terrace: 131st Street
Public Restrooms
- 68th Street at Bayview Park (outside shower available), parking area at the southern end of Holgate (outside shower available)
Other Things to Know
- Long Beach Township includes many neighborhoods, LBT beach badges are for all of these areas: Loveladies, North Beach, Brant Beach, Beach Haven Crest, Brighton Beach, Peahala Park, Beach Haven Park, Haven Beach, The Dunes, Beach Haven Terrace, Beach Haven Gardens, Spray Beach, North Beach Haven, Holgate
- Surfing is allowed on all beaches between the blue flags
Beach Badges
- Where to purchase: on the beach through badge checker or on My Beach Mobile
- Pricing:
- Seasonal: $50
- Weekly: $25
- Daily: $10
- Senior Seasonal: $10
- Military: Free admission for veterans and active military with proof of valid identification
- Required for individuals 13 and older
Lifeguards (on duty 10am - 6pm)
- Guarded beaches: 3rd, 7th, 15th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, 30th, Bay
Handicap Access
- Beach Wheelchairs: call Ship Bottom Beach Patrol at 609-494-9481 to reserve
- Handicapped accessible walkovers can be found on 15th and 20th Street beaches, and additional ramps are available on 4th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 29th, 21st, and 25th Streets
Public Restrooms
- Municipal Building at 17th Street & Long Beach Blvd, 10th Street at the Bay Boat Ramp, 13th-16th Street Bay Beaches (outside shower available)
Beach Badges
- Where to purchase: behind Borough Hall on 8th Street
- Pricing:
- Seasonal: $50
- Weekly: $20
- Daily: $10
- Senior:
- Military: Free admission for veterans and active military with proof of valid identification
- Required for individuals 12 and older
Lifeguards (on duty 10am - 5pm)
- Guarded beaches: South 2nd Street, Division, North 2nd,4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, and 24th
Handicap Access
- Beach Wheelchairs: available on a first come first serve basis (call 609-361-7655)
Public Restrooms
- Behind Borough Hall at 831 Long Beach Boulevard, 16th Street Bay Beach, Division Street Boat Ramp
