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.
For detailed information on handicap accessibility, check out our Handicap Beach Access Guide.
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.
Several towns on Long Beach Island have introduced the My Beach Mobile App in recent years, simplifying 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. Currently, the My Beach Mobile is only available for Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom, Beach Haven and Harvey Cedars.
🏄 Surfing Rules: 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 Beach Towns
Note: For Loveladies, Holgate, Brant Beach, Haven Beach, Peahala Park, Beach Haven Crest, Beach Haven Park, The Dunes, Beach Haven Gardens, Spray Beach and North Beach Haven see Long Beach Twp.
Barnegat Light Beach Badges
📍Where to purchase: from badge checkers on the beach or the following locations:
- Off-Season: Borough Hall 10 East 7th Street, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006🕒 Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- In-Season: Beach Badge Booth – Behind Borough Hall 🕒 Daily from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, extended hours until 6:00 PM on Saturdays
💲Pricing:
- Seasonal: $50
- Weekly: $25
- Daily $10
- 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
CLICK HERE for handicap information.
Public Restrooms
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, West 10th Street at the Bay
Other Things to Know
The Beach Tram is available from 10am to 1pm and 2pm 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 Haven Beach Badges
📍Where to purchase:
PHYSICAL PASSES – on beach with cash beginning June 15th or the following locations:
- Pre-Season: Borough Hall 300 Engleside Ave., Beach Haven, NJ 08008 🕒 Mon–Fri | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- In-Season: Centre Street Badge Office (Starting June 1st) 🕒Open daily (except Wednesdays) starting June 1 Mon–Sat: 9 AM–3:30 PM | Sun: 9 AM–2:30 PM
DIGITAL PASSES – via the My Beach Mobile App (FEES APPLIED), click below to download app>> Download App
💲Pricing:
- Seasonal: $50
- Weekly: $20
- Daily: $10
- Lifetime Senior Badge: $10
- Military: Free admission for veterans and active military with proof of valid identification, only available at the beach badge office.
- 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, Essex Ave, Liberty Ave, Kentford Ave
Handicap Access
CLICK HERE for handicap information.
Public Restrooms
- Centre Street Beach Patrol building, located at the beach entrance (outside shower available), Veterans Park on Amber Street (a few blocks from the beach), and the Nelson Avenue playground on Nelson Avenue.
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 with an anchor and no bigger than 7 feet, and 4×4 ft. baby pop-ups
- Wednesdays are free for all patrons
Harvey Cedars Beach Badges
📍Where to purchase: My Beach Mobile or the Sunset Park 7606 Long Beach Blvd, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008 (Open daily from June 15 to September 1)
🕒 Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💲Pricing:
- Seasonal: $50
- 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
CLICK HERE for handicap information.
Public Restrooms
- Sunset Park (outside shower available), Borough Hall on 75th Street
Other Things to Know
- Hudson Ave is a designated surfing beach
Long Beach Township Beach Badges
📍 Where to purchase: My Beach Mobile or the following offices:
- Main Beach Badge Office (Open daily from April 18 to September 1):
- 68th Street & Meade Avenue, Brant Beach🕒 Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- North Beach Location (Preseason Only – Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from April 18 to June):
- Tract 1065 (near the tennis court)🕒 Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Main Beach Badge Office (Open daily from April 18 to September 1):
💲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
CLICK HERE for handicap information.
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
Ship Bottom Beach Badges
📍Where to purchase: on the beach through badge checker, My Beach Mobile or Beach Badge Office:
- Borough of Ship Bottom 1621 Long Beach Boulevard Ship Bottom, NJ 08008 | OPEN M-F 9am-4:30pm
💲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
CLICK HERE for handicap information.
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)
Surf City Beach Badges
📍 Where to purchase: Badge Office behind Borough Hall on 8th Street OPEN DAILY STARTING MAY 1 – 9:00am – 3:45pm
💲Pricing:
- Seasonal: $50
- Weekly: $20
- Daily: $10
- Senior: $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: South 2nd Street, Division, North 2nd,4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, and 24th
Handicap Access
CLICK HERE for handicap information.
Public Restrooms
- Behind Borough Hall at 831 Long Beach Boulevard, 16th Street Bay Beach, Division Street Boat Ramp