Plan Your Stay on Long Beach Island
Where to stay, what to do, and how to get to know all eighteen miles of LBI, from people who know the island.
Looking for this week's events?
Live music, local eats, pop-ups, and more happening on the island this week.
Booking Your Stay
Oceanfront resorts, classic island motels, weekly vacation rentals, and pet friendly spots that welcome the whole family. Most LBI rentals book Saturday to Saturday, and summer weeks go early, so find your home base before you do anything else.
Where to Stay
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Where to Stay
Featured Rentals
A handful of standout island rentals, from Loveladies down to Holgate. Book direct and settle in for the week.
Book Direct
Holgate
Luxury Living in Holgate
5 BR · 4.5 BA
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Loveladies
Holly Bay Escapes
7 BR · 8 BA
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Surf City
Driftwood Dreams
5 BR · 3.5 BA
View rental
North Beach Haven
The Ocean Pearl
5 BR · 4.5 BA
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Spray Beach
Bayside Dreaming
4 BR · 3.5 BA
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Beach Haven
215 Amber Street
5 BR · 6 BA
View rental
Things to Do
From sunrise surf sessions to late night live music, the island packs in more than you'd expect. Dig into the full playbook of guides, sorted by mood, by moment, and by what you're up for.
Featured Guides
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On the Island This Week
What's Happening This Week
Live music, markets, pop-ups, and everything else going on across LBI, all in one place and updated every week.
- Live music lineup
- Pop-ups & markets
- Festivals & island traditions
- Family friendly events
- Food & drink nights
- Fitness & wellness
- Art & shopping events
- & more
Get to Know the Towns
Eighteen miles, a dozen towns, each with its own personality. Get to know them all, from the lighthouse end in Barnegat Light to the wild dunes of Holgate.
Explore the Towns
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Bring the Dog
Every town on the island has its own rules, and half of them change with the season. Here is where your pup is welcome, what to bring, and who to call if something goes sideways.
- Beach rules, town by townWhat each town allows, and the dates the rules flip.
- Patios that mean itBars, decks, and coffee windows where the dog gets a bowl too.
- Parks and long walksWhere to burn the energy off before the house gets it.
- Vets, groomers, and daycareWho is open on the island, including after hours and off season.
Keep Planning
More Ways to Plan
Two more guides for the trip, whether you want the little things handled or need to keep the teens busy.
Featured Guides
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Good to Know
Before You Book
The questions we get asked most about planning a trip to Long Beach Island, answered by people who know the island.
When is the best time to visit LBI?
Peak season runs from late June through Labor Day. That's when every shop, restaurant, and lifeguard stand is open and the island is at its busiest.
September is the locals' favorite. The ocean is still warm, the crowds thin out, and rentals get easier to book. The north end quiets down shortly after Labor Day, while the south end stays lively through Chowderfest in October. See LBI weather and seasons for a month by month look.
How do you get to Long Beach Island?
There's one road on and off the island: the Route 72 Causeway, which lands you in Ship Bottom. From the Garden State Parkway, take Exit 63 and follow Route 72 east.
Plan on roughly two hours from New York City and about an hour and a half from Philadelphia, longer on summer Saturdays. No car? Our NYC to LBI bus guide covers the options.
Which town on LBI is best to stay in?
It depends on the trip. Beach Haven is the most walkable, with Bay Village, Fantasy Island, and the biggest restaurant scene. Surf City and Ship Bottom sit in the middle of the island, close to everything. Harvey Cedars, Loveladies, and Barnegat Light on the north end are quieter and great for families, and Holgate at the southern tip is about as low key as LBI gets.
Browse the hotel guide or the vacation rentals to compare.
Do you need beach badges on LBI?
Yes, during the summer season. Each town sells its own badges, and they're checked on the beach during the season. Many vacation rentals include badges, so ask before you buy. Off season, the beaches are free.
Is LBI dog friendly?
Very, with some rules. Each town sets its own beach rules for dogs, and most of them change with the season. Plenty of patios, parks, and rentals welcome dogs year round. Our dog friendly LBI guide breaks it down town by town.
Does LBI have a boardwalk?
No. Long Beach Island has no boardwalk, and that's part of its charm. Instead you get quiet beach blocks, bayside sunsets, and Fantasy Island and Bay Village in Beach Haven for rides, arcades, and shops.
What is there to do on LBI in the offseason?
More than people expect. Plenty of restaurants and bars stay open, the beaches are wide open, and the fishing gets good in the fall. Our offseason guide maps everything that's open once summer ends.
Where can I find events on LBI this week?
We keep a running list of live music, markets, pop-ups, and island events. See this week's events on LBI.
The Complete Guide
Looking for Everything?
Browse the full LBI directory. Every business, rental, restaurant, and thing to do on Long Beach Island, organized for easy planning.
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