Long Beach Island (Beaches)

Long Beach Island (LBI) is an 18-mile-long barrier island off the central New Jersey coast, accessible by a single causeway on Route 72 from the mainland at Manahawkin. The island is divided among six municipalities — Ship Bottom, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, and Loveladies — each with its own beachfront character and beach-badge program. The sand throughout is fine and pale, the surf is moderate to lively with consistent east-facing beach break, and the beaches catch the full morning sun and an afternoon sea breeze. The northern end near Barnegat Light is anchored by the distinctive red-and-white striped Barnegat Lighthouse, accessible via Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, which has a small beach free of charge. Beach Haven at the southern end is the most commercially developed community, offering a boardwalk, mini golf, an aquarium, restaurants, and shops. Between these anchors, quieter residential communities offer uncrowded beach access for badge holders. Beach badges cost approximately $8–$10 per day per municipality, with weekly badges at $35–$45; badges are required in most communities and not transferable between towns. Lifeguards are stationed throughout from late June through Labor Day. There is no public transit to LBI — a private vehicle is the only option, and causeway traffic on summer Fridays southbound and Sundays northbound can add one to two hours to the journey. Parking is managed per town, with street parking in residential areas supplemented by small municipal lots. An extensive bicycle path running the full length of the island allows cyclists to explore all communities without additional driving.