New Jersey is a densely diverse Mid-Atlantic state known for its 130-mile Atlantic coastline, Victorian shore towns, the famous Jersey Shore boardwalks, and a rich Revolutionary War heritage. From the glittering casinos of Atlantic City and the genteel beauty of Cape May to the cultural buzz of Hoboken and the forests of the Pine Barrens, New Jersey packs extraordinary variety into one of the nation's smallest states.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in New Jersey.
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- refined Victorian seaside, calm and family-friendly
- lifeguards
- beach badge required ($10/day)
- restrooms
- outdoor showers
- promenade
- nearby restaurants and shops
Cape May Beach
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10:00 to secure parking on Beach Avenue; municipal lots fill quickly by mid-morning in July and August
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- breezy national park beach, busy at weekends with a calm midweek rhythm
- lifeguards (seasonal)
- restrooms
- outdoor showers
- picnic areas
- parking ($20/vehicle in season)
- bicycle path
Sandy Hook Beach
Editor’s tip. The Seastreak Ferry is the best option on peak weekends — parking lots reach capacity by 11:00 and the park may close its entrance to further vehicles
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- wild and undeveloped, quiet nature escape on the open Atlantic
- lifeguards (seasonal)
- restrooms
- outdoor showers
- nature center
- surfing area
- fishing
Island Beach State Park
Editor’s tip. Arrive by 08:00 on summer weekends — the park entrance closes when the parking lot reaches capacity, typically before 10:00 in July and August
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- artsy and eclectic, boardwalk music culture meets casual beach day
- lifeguards (Memorial Day–Labor Day)
- beach badge required ($8/day)
- restrooms
- boardwalk with bars and restaurants
- music venues nearby
- surf school
Asbury Park Beach
Editor’s tip. Take the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line from Penn Station to avoid weekend parking competition — lots fill by 10:00 in summer
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- classic Jersey Shore family island, mix of quiet residential and boardwalk energy
- lifeguards
- beach badges (per-municipality, ~$8–$10/day)
- restrooms
- mini golf
- boardwalk in Beach Haven
- fishing
Long Beach Island (Beaches)
Editor’s tip. Cross the causeway before 09:00 on summer weekends to avoid southbound traffic delays that can reach 90 minutes or more
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- energetic boardwalk party beach, rides and crowd noise from morning to midnight
- lifeguards
- beach badge required (~$9/day)
- restrooms
- boardwalk with amusements
- rides
- arcades
Seaside Heights Beach
Editor’s tip. Arrive by 09:00 on summer weekends to secure beachfront parking before lots reach capacity; rates are typically $10–$15 per day in municipal lots
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- quiet and refined, non-commercial boardwalk with Victorian elegance
- lifeguards
- beach badge required ($10/day)
- restrooms
- 2-mile oceanfront boardwalk (no commerce — peaceful walking)
- non-commercial atmosphere
- Victorian architecture nearby
Spring Lake Beach
Editor’s tip. Visitors arriving by car should use Third or Fourth Avenue lots ($12–$15/day); street parking is scarce on summer weekends and strictly enforced
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- classic boardwalk family resort, rides and aquarium alongside a solid surf break
- lifeguards
- beach badge required (~$10/day)
- restrooms
- Jenkinson's Boardwalk (amusements, mini golf, aquarium)
- restaurants
- live music
Point Pleasant Beach
Editor’s tip. Jenkinson's Aquarium on the boardwalk is a practical wet-day alternative, housing sharks, seals, and local marine species
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- quiet residential retreat, non-commercial shore with Victorian neighbourhood feel
- lifeguards
- beach badge required ($10/day)
- restrooms
- fishing jetty
- quiet family atmosphere
- Victorian homes nearby
Avon-by-the-Sea Beach
Editor’s tip. Street parking is very limited on summer weekends; take NJ Transit to Belmar station and walk or cycle the 10 minutes to the beach
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- urban casino resort beach, free admission with world-famous Boardwalk entertainment adjacent
- lifeguards (seasonal)
- free beach (no badge required)
- restrooms
- boardwalk
- casino access
- volleyball courts
Atlantic City Beach
Editor’s tip. The beach is free but parking is not — hotel garages and Boardwalk-adjacent lots charge $20–$30 per day; the NJ Transit bus from NYC or Philadelphia is a practical alternative
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- retro Doo-Wop resort, free-admission beach with massive boardwalk entertainment
- lifeguards
- free beach (no badge required)
- restrooms
- 5-mile boardwalk with rides and amusements
- Morey's Piers amusement park
- water parks
Wildwood Beach
Editor’s tip. The beach is so wide that walking to the waterline takes several minutes — use the beach tram (approximately $3–$5) to travel the Boardwalk's length without repeatedly crossing the full sand expanse
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- remote and contemplative, lighthouse and bunker ruins on a wild migratory point
- no beach badge required (state park)
- restrooms
- lighthouse (climb $10)
- nature trails
- hawk-watch platform
- WWII bunker ruins
Cape May Point Beach
Editor’s tip. Visit in early morning on a September or October day for the best chances of witnessing monarch butterfly clusters in the beach vegetation and raptor concentrations overhead
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in New Jersey memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Official beach season runs Memorial Day weekend (late May) through Labor Day (early September). Lifeguards are on duty daily 10am–5:30pm at most beaches. Water temperatures reach 70–76°F (21–24°C) in July–August.
Badge Info
Most NJ Shore municipalities require a beach badge (day pass $7–$10) for access to the beach. Badges are sold at beach entrance huts starting Memorial Day weekend. Atlantic City and Wildwood beaches do not require badges. State park beaches charge vehicle entry fees ($6–$20) instead.
Swimming
Always swim within lifeguard-designated areas marked by yellow flags. Red flag = closed; yellow = caution; green = safe. Rip currents are the primary hazard — if caught, swim parallel to shore.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about New Jersey’s coast.
Is there a fee to use Cape May Beach?
Yes. A beach badge is required for visitors aged 13 and over. Day badges cost $10 and are purchased at booths along Beach Avenue. Children under 12 and seniors over 70 enter free.
From the Cape May Beach editorial.
When are lifeguards on duty at Cape May Beach?
Lifeguards are posted from late June through Labor Day (first Monday in September), typically 10:00–17:30. Swimming outside these hours is at visitors' own risk.
From the Cape May Beach editorial.
How do visitors reach Sandy Hook from New York City by ferry?
Seastreak operates a seasonal ferry service from West 35th Street Ferry Terminal in Manhattan and from Highlands, NJ. Round-trip fares are approximately $55 for adults in season. Check the Seastreak website for the current schedule, as sailings are limited outside summer months.
From the Sandy Hook Beach editorial.
Is there an entrance fee for Sandy Hook?
Vehicles are charged $20 per car in season (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Holders of America the Beautiful National Parks annual passes ($80) enter free. Walk-ins and cyclists do not pay a vehicle fee.
From the Sandy Hook Beach editorial.
Is there a fee to enter Island Beach State Park?
Yes. Vehicle entry fees apply year-round. Non-residents pay approximately $17 per car on summer weekends; New Jersey residents pay approximately $6. An annual NJ State Park pass ($50 for residents) covers entry. Entry is free on Tuesdays for NJ residents.
From the Island Beach State Park editorial.
Can visitors camp at Island Beach State Park?
No. Island Beach State Park is day-use only; there is no camping within the park. The closest camping options are at Double Trouble State Park or Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, both about 30 km west.
From the Island Beach State Park editorial.
How do visitors get to Asbury Park Beach from New York City?
NJ Transit runs the North Jersey Coast Line from Penn Station to Asbury Park station roughly every hour, taking approximately 1 hour 20 minutes and costing about $17 each way. The station is a 10-minute walk from the beach. Weekend trains are crowded in summer — earlier departure times are recommended.
From the Asbury Park Beach editorial.
Is Asbury Park Beach LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes. Asbury Park has a long-established and prominent LGBTQ+ community and the beach area is openly inclusive. The Pride parade and festival in June is one of the city's biggest annual events, drawing visitors from across the region.
From the Asbury Park Beach editorial.