Planning a vacation or just a day trip? Patch has all the information on the Shore's best beaches
It's that time again.
Summer may not yet be here, but Monmouth and Ocean counties' beaches are welcoming sun worshippers for the unofficial start of the season: Memorial Day weekend.
Wonder how much it will cost to get on your favorite beach? Stressed about where to park? Debating whether to pack a lunch or head up to the boardwalk? All the answers are right here. Just click each individual beach name for all the essential information on the best Shore spots around the counties.
OCEAN COUNTY
BARNEGAT LIGHT
Visitors to Barnegat Light can enjoy both the beautiful beach as well as BarnegatLighthouse State Park, home to "Old Barney."
Seasonal beach badges are currently available for $25. The price increases to $35 on June 15. Senior citizens, ages 65 and older, can purchase a seasonal pass for $10. Weekly badges also are available at a rate of $20 — with a week being defined as running from Saturday to Friday.
The daily rate is $5 per person. Children under 12 are admitted for free.
There is also a $1 per badge charge for any badges that are purchased on the beach. Badges are currently on sale at Borough Hall, located at 10 East 7th Street. The municipal building is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information about beach badges call Borough Hall at 609-494-9196.
BAY HEAD
Bay Head's beach is staffed by lifeguards as of June 18, when beach badges are required.
Seasonal badges are $70 and half-season badges are $45. Daily badges are $7 for those 12 and older, and children younger than 12 are free. To purchase badges, visit the office of Bay Head Improvement Association, at the corner of Mount Street and Lake Avenue. The office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 28 and 29. Starting June 11, the office will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and, starting on June 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
BEACH HAVEN
Beach Haven is located on Long Beach Island and offers shops and attractions in addition to great surf.
Seasonal badges are $30 until June 24 and $40 starting June 25. Weekly badges are $20; daily badges are $5. Children 12 and under, adults 65 and over and active duty military personnel can use the beach for free. Those 65 and older must get a special permanent badge by visiting the Beach Badge Office; military personnel must show ID.
BRICK TOWNSHIP
Brick boasts three family-friendly beaches on the Barnegat Peninsula.
Seasonal badges are $25 before June 15 and $30 after June 15 and are good for Brick Township’s three ocean beaches along Route 35 and the bathing area at Windward Beach Park on Princeton Avenue. A daily wristband is $5. There are no weekly badges sold.Beachgoers who turn 65 before Sept. 1 can access the beach for free. A birth certificate or valid driver's license is required.
HARVEY CEDARS
Harvey Cedars is located on the northern end of Long Beach Island and offers bay and ocean beaches.
Seasonal passes are $30 in the preseason and $40 after June 15. Senior citizens, age 65 and older, may get a seasonal pass for $9. Weekly badges also are offered at a rate of $20. There is a day rate of $9.
Badges are currently on sale at Borough Hall, which is located at 7606 Long Beach Blvd. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information about beach badges can be obtained by calling Borough Hall at 609-361-6000, or the Sunset Park booth at 609-361-9733.
ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK
Island Beach State Park offers beautiful surf as well as kayaking, hiking and more.
Beach badges are not required. Instead, Island Beach charges a per vehicle fee. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, the beach is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until dusk. On Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, the beach is open from 7 a.m. until dusk. Per vehicle fees are $6 on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays. A state park season pass is $50. Call 732-793-0506 for more information.
LAVALLETTE
Visitors to Lavallette can enjoy swimming, surfing, kayaking, boating and fishing.
Seasonal beach and bay passes (for swimmers) are available for $35 until June 13. The price increases to $45 on June 14. Badges are $24 for seniors 65 and older, veterans and disabled persons. Daily badges are $7 and can be purchased at beachfront entrances. Children under 12 are always free.
The Beach Badge Office, located next to Borough Hall and Police Headquarters on Rt. 35 North between Brooklyn and Washington streets, is open Friday from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The number is (732) 793-2111.
LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP
Long Beach Township makes up much of Long Beach Island, encompassing multiple communities and 12 miles of oceanfront.
Beach badge prices are $30 seasonal when purchased before June 15; $40 when purchased June 15 and later. Weekly badge is $20 and daily badge $5. Children younger than 12 are free. Senior citizen badge is $5; senior badges from 2010 can still be used. Badges can be purchased at the Beach Badge Office on 68
th Street in Brant Beach, next to town hall.
MANTOLOKING
Mantoloking offers one public beach and two private beaches, with public access from Mathis Place through Herbert Street, accessible by four walkways on East Avenue, one on Lyman Street, and one on Ocean Avenue, which are all on the Bay Head side of town.
Beach badges are available for $12 for the season, and are free for all active military members as well as children 12 and younger. For more information, call the municipal building at 732-899-6600 ext. 100 or visit
Mantoloking's municipal website.
ORTLEY BEACH
Ortley Beach is a quiet recreational area that also is home to Joey Harrison's Surf Club.
Seasonal passes to Ortley Beach are $35. The price increases to $50 on May 31. Toms River township residents age 62 and older are entitled to a lifetime senior beach pass for free. Seasonal and senior passes can be purchased at the Toms River Recreation Administration Building (1810 Warren Point Road) or the Toms River Senior Center (652 Garfield Ave.) Both are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
POINT PLEASANT
Point Pleasant Beach, the ever-popular tourist attraction, is home to at least five major beaches: Jenkinson's, Risden's, Martell's, Bradshaw's and the Maryland Avenue Beach.
For detailed information on beach badge prices, lifeguard hours and more, click the "Point Pleasant" link above.
SEASIDE HEIGHTS
Seaside Heights is one of the most well-known Shore towns, home to amusements and food on the boardwalk as well as the site of MTV's "Jersey Shore."
Seaside Heights offers seasonal beach passes for $45. Lifetime beach badges for seniors 65 and older are available for $10 and must be purchased at Borough Hall. Borough Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s located at 901 Boulevard.
Daily passes cost $5, and children under 12 are always free. In May and early June, seasonal beach badges can also be purchased at the Kearney Avenue Beach Control Headquarters on weekends. After mid June, when the Kearney Avenue Beach Control Building opens full-time, they can be purchased between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. every day.
For information on Seaside Heights' boardwalk piers,
click here.
SHIP BOTTOM
Ship Bottom, known as the "Gateway to LBI," is home to more than just beach: amusements, antique shops, art galleries, fine dining and more can be found here.
Beach badges cost $30 for a seasonal pass until May 31; $40 for a seasonal pass starting June 1; $20 for weekly pass; and $5 for a daily pass. Senior badges are $10 and are sold at Borough Hall. Badges are required starting June 18. Submit
a Beach Badge Order Form or buy them at Borough Hall, 1621 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom, 609-494-2171, ext. 102.
SURF CITY
Surf City, an 18-mile barrier island, is home to beautiful surf, fine dining and boutiques.
Beach badges cost $25 for a seasonal pass until May 31; $35 for seasonal pass starting June 1; $17 for weekly pass; $7 daily. Seniors and children under 12 years old are free. Required starting June 18. Buy them at the Surf City Municipal Building, 813 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City; 609-494-3064.
MONMOUTH COUNTY
ASBURY PARK
Asbury Park offers something for everyone, from the beautiful beach to live music to great restaurants.
Seasonal beach badges cost $70 for adults and $20 for seniors and teens. Weekday passes are $5 with the cost for weekends and holidays going up to $6. Badges go on sale Memorial Day Weekend and can be picked up at the red and white trailer located at the boardwalk on Second Avenue. They can also be ordered by calling 732-502-8863.
AVON-BY-THE-SEA
Avon-by-the-Sea is a tiny hamlet on the north side of the Shark River Inlet.
Beach badges are $90 for a regular adult seasonal pass; seniors $45 and young adult (12-18) $45; $9 daily. Age 11 and younger are free. For more information call 732-502-4510.
BELMAR
The ever-popular Belmar offers beaches that stretch for more than a mile, attracting locals and tourists alike.
Beach badges are $50 for a seasonal pass; $15 for seniors; $7 daily; free for children 15 and younger and active duty military and their families. Badges are on sale at Borough Hall, 601 Main St. until Memorial Day weekend and at boardwalk ticket booths thereafter.
BRADLEY BEACH
Bradley Beach, "New Jersey's Family Resort," is tucked between Asbury Park and Avon-by-the-Sea.
Beach badges are $65 adults; $25 seniors (62 and up); $25 juniors (ages 14-15); free for children 13 and younger; $7 daily pass for weekdays; $8 weekends and holidays. For information call 732-776-2994 or 732-776-2991.
DEAL
Deal, a small Shore town, offers a public beach and private access at the Deal Casino Bathing Club.
The main, public beach at Conover Pavilion costs $6 on weekdays and $7 on weekdays and holidays. Children under 12 are free. Call 732-531-0404 for more information.
LOCH ARBOUR
Loch Arbour's beautiful beaches open on weekends on May 28 and are available to the public seven days a week starting June 18.
Seasonal beach badge prices: cost $90 for adults, $50 for seniors and children 12 and younger are free. Daily beach badge prices are $5 on weekdays, $6 on weekends and holidays. Visit
www.locharbournj.us or call 732-531-4740 for more information.
LONG BRANCH
Visitors to Long Branch can enjoy several wonderful beaches while shopping and enjoying restaurants at Pier Village.
Seasonal badge badges are free for kids 13 and younger; $30 for kids 14-17; $45 for adults; and free for seniors. Daily badges are free for those 13 and younger; $3 for children 14-17; $5 for adults on weekdays, $7 on weekends; and free for seniors. For more information, contact the Long Branch Recreation Department at 732-571-6545.
MANASQUAN
Manasquan, the southernmost beach in Monmouth County, offers miles of wonderful beaches.
Beach badges are $70 for seasonal pass; $8 daily. Senior citizen badges for ages 65 and older are $25. Children from 12 to 16 are $35 and children younger than 12 are free. Required on weekends beginning Memorial Day weekend and daily after June 18. They can be purchased, cash only, at the Main Pavilion.
OCEAN GROVE
Those looking for a quiet day of surf and sun should consider traveling to Ocean Grove, which offers a peaceful beach experience just blocks from a quaint downtown.
Daily beach badges are $7 during the week and $12 on the weekend. There also is a weekly pass that can be purchased for $35 while a seasonal badge will cost $70. Children younger than 12 are free with an adult. Badges can be purchased at the beach office on the boardwalk across from the fishing pier. More information can be found by going to
www.oceangrove.org or calling 732-988-5533.
SEA GIRT
Sea Girt offers a 1.75-mile stretch of beach, with the historic lighthouse overlooking the surf.
Beach badges are $100 for seasonal pass; $9 daily. Senior citizen badges for ages 65 and older are $55. Children 12 and under are free. They can be purchased, cash only, at the Main Pavilion.
SPRING LAKE
For a quiet day at the beach, consider Spring Lake, which features the longest stretch of non-commercial boardwalk in the state.
Beach badges are $100 for a seasonal pass; $60 for 1/2 season — Memorial Day Weekend through July 31 and Aug. 1 through Labor Day; $8 daily. Children aged 11 and younger are free. Call 732-449-0800 ext. 631. for more information.
