Time to pack up the kids and soak up some rays at your favorite Jersey beach. And no matter which one that is, we’ve got just what you need to know before you go.
Atlantic City
Atlantic City is well-known for its casinos, events, dining and shopping. Plus, the city’s historic boardwalk is home to one of America’s oldest theme parks, Steel Pier, along with classic boardwalk fare, arcades and more.
Beach Tags: Not required. Atlantic City’s beaches are free for everyone to enjoy from 10 am to 6 pm.
What you can’t do: No alcohol, fireworks, camping, smoking and no dogs allowed on the beaches.
Avalon
This 7-mile beach shares an island with Stone Harbor and offers a downtown shopping district, nighttime hot spots, kayaking, boating, fishing, surfing and much more.
Beach Tags: Beach tags are required for those over the age of 12. Tags are $40 for the season, $17 weekly and $8 daily. Veterans and active military are welcome to the beach for free.
What you can’t do: Rafts and surfboards are only permitted on select beaches.
Beach Haven
Beach Haven packs plenty of family-friendly fun into one square mile with bay access, a thriving downtown, restaurants, shopping, cultural activities and an amusement park.
Beach Tags: Required for ages 12 and up. Seasonal tags are $40, weekly tags are $20 and daily tags are $10. Veterans and active military are free, and seniors can purchase a lifetime tag for $10.
What you can’t do: Surfing is only allowed in designated areas while lifeguards are on duty. No tents, no horseback riding, no cooking or preparing your own food, no alcoholic beverages on the beach and no dogs between May 15th and September 15th.
Brigantine
Just minutes from Atlantic City, Brigantine’s beaches have plenty to offer, from swimming and sailing to kayaking and horseback riding. Plus, Brigantine is home to Absecon Light House and the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
Beach Tags: Required. Passes are $25 for the season, $15 for the week and $10 for the day. Seniors, veterans and active military are free.
What you can’t do: Swimming is only permitted at beaches where guards are on duty from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Boats, sailboats, jet skis or other types of powered or unpowered boat are only permitted in certain areas with a license/permit. No dogs permitted on any beach between 14th St. and the Jetty from May 30th to Sept. 30th.
Cape May
At the southernmost tip of the state, Cape May’s historic charm is unparalleled. One of the oldest seaside resorts, Cape May offers beaches, shopping, fine dining, nightlife, a plethora of historical tours and a thriving arts scene.
Beach Tags: Required for ages 12 and up. Seasonal tags are $40 a piece, weekly passes are $25, three-day passes are $20 and a daily tag is $10. Active military and veterans are free.
What you can’t do: Bring your dog (except for service animals) on the beach, unless it’s along the Delaware Bay or on Higbee Beach. Fishing is permitted along the quarter-mile stretch east of the Brooklyn Avenue storm pipe. Don’t bring your camping gear, as camping overnight and fires are not permitted.
Margate
Home of the beloved Lucy the Elephant, Margate shares Absecon Island with neighboring Longport, Ventnor and Atlantic City. Margate is perfect for those who want to enjoy a small beach town lifestyle with access to big city nightlife. Plus, there’s plenty of shops, cafes and boutiques to enjoy.
Beach Tags: Required for ages 12 and up. Badges are $20 and can be purchased online or reserved via mail for in-person pickup.
What you can’t do: Swimming is permitted only at beaches that are watched by lifeguards.
Ocean City
Dubbed American’s “Greatest Family Resort,” this family-friendly town offers white sandy beaches and a long boardwalk dotted with stores, boardwalk fare, two amusement parks, mini golf and a water park. For those who like to hike or are avid birders, Corson’s Inlet State Park to the south offers spectacular views.
Beach Tags: Required for those 12 and older. Beach tags are $35 for the season, $20 weekly and $10 for daily tags. Veterans and active military are free.
What you can’t do: Dogs are not permitted on the beach between May 1 and Sept. 30. No fires. Ocean City is a dry town, which means you can’t buy alcohol on the island or drink it on the beach.
Sea Isle City
Sea Isle City boasts all the great stuff of Shore towns — clean beaches, a boardwalk and family fun — but its vibrant nightlife and clubs make this seaside city stand out.
Beach Tags: Required. Seasonal tags are $25 and can be grabbed from the Beach Tag Office in the Welcome Center. Daily tags are $5 and weekly tags are $10 apiece.
What you can’t do: There is a beach curfew from 10 pm to 6 am. Alcohol, fires, glass bottles and picnics are not allowed. Dogs are also a no. Launching motorized boats or watercraft from the beach is also not permitted. Surfing is permitted on some beaches, as is surf fishing and kayaking. Floatation devices with a fin are now allowed to be used on a raft-designated beach. Floating devices with a fin, such as a belly or body boards, may be used on surfing beaches with a leash and flippers.
Stone Harbor
This quaint, small community draws families and those who want to wind down on the beach. In addition to the island’s shopping district and restaurants, there are plenty of opportunities for fishing, water sports and other ocean-going excursions.
Beach Tags: Required. All visitors 12 years old and older must have beach tags. Beach tags are sold at the 95th Street Beach Tag office seven days a week from 10 am to 4 pm and are $40 a piece. Weekly tags are $17, and daily tags are $8.
What you can’t do: No alcohol, fire, picnics or glass bottles. Surfing is allowed at 81st and 110th streets, and kayaking is allowed between 122nd and 126th streets.
The Wildwoods
Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and West Wildwood might share one island, but anyone who visits there can tell you each town has its own flavor. Wildwood’s long, sandy beaches and famous boardwalk – including Morey’s Piers and Water Parks – offers plenty of ways to have fun in the sun.
Beach Tags: Not required. The Wildwoods 5-mile stretch of beaches is free to the public.
What you can’t do: Dogs are not allowed on beaches except for the dog beaches at Glenwood Avenue in Wildwood and 24th Avenue in North Wildwood. All three towns prohibit drinking alcohol on the beach, littering and fires.
