The Ultimate Visitor's Guide to
Atlantic County NJ Beaches
Tips for visiting Atlantic County, NJ Beaches with information on Beach Badges, Restrooms, Boardwalks, Regulations, and other facilities.
Atlantic County beaches in southern New Jersey offer a relaxed atmosphere without excessive crowds, making them a popular destination for day-trippers and vacationers from the Philadelphia area.
Access to most New Jersey beaches requires a fee in the form of a beach badge, a system that helps Jersey Shore towns maintain clean and safe beach environments. This cost is shared by both residents and visitors.
Each beach in Atlantic County is managed by its respective local city or town.
Atlantic County Beaches with
Large Commercial Boardwalks
Atlantic City- Stroll the famous Boardwalk, six miles long and 60 feet wide, paralleling the ocean, it is the largest of New Jersey's boardwalks. It's free! Hop on a historic rolling wicker chair and ride in style. The Boardwalk is the place to see and be seen. It's loaded with access to casinos, restaurants, amusement parks, tacky T-shirts, and more. Forget the calories and indulge in a juicy hot dog with all the trimmings, chewy saltwater taffy and filmy cotton candy.
Atlantic County Beaches
with
Small, Less Commercial Boardwalks
Brigantine - Located just to the North of Atlantic City, its a short concrete promenade several blocks long with a wooden deck with seating. There are no concessions.
Ventnor - Just south of Atlantic City, it has a wide boardwalk with a path to Downtown AC. Looking west, there are a large varitey homes coming in all all shapes, sizes and styles.
Atlantic County Beaches
Atlantic City
Beach Access is
Free
Lifeguards are on duty from 10 AM - 6 PM at various locations along Atlantic City beaches, from July 1 - Labor Day. (A limited number of Atlantic City, New Jersey beaches are protected from Memorial Day to July 1, and Labor Day to September 30.
Restroom facilities at intervals along the Boardwalk. Public can change their suits in rest rooms or at public change houses located at South Carolina and Albany Avenues. Outdoor public showers located at 11 lifeguard houses. Public showers are located at the district stations. Casino beach bars also have outdoor showers that are open to the public.
Metered and paid parking lots are available.
Kayaking and Windsurfing are permitted at Jackson Ave. beach. No lifeguards, no bathing zone, bring your own equipment.
No fishing license needed for salt-water when in these areas: Inlet off of the Boardwalk, jetties along Oriental/Maine Ave. Board- walk fishing not allowed in bathing areas when lifeguards are on duty (10am-6pm). Spears and spear guns cannot be carried onto the beach.
Surfing is permitted at Crystal Beach on New Hampshire Ave. Delaware Ave. Beach, Downtown Beach on Raleigh Ave. No lifeguards.
Grilling permitted on the beach on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day only. Grills must be charcoal briquettes; no gas grills or open flames are permitted. Open fires of any kind (includes bonfires) are not permitted on the beach.
No alcohol is allowed on the beach, except in the case of vendors with permits issued by the state of New Jersey.
Brigantine
This scenic town, with its miles of beautiful coastline just minutes from Atlantic City, offers a variety of amenities, including tourist attractions, gift shops, accommodations, and dining options. If you enjoy a peaceful beach but want to stay close to the excitement of Atlantic City, Brigantine Beach is the perfect destination!
Beach Fees:
Seasonal: Purchased by May 31, 2025: $20.00
Seasonal:$25.00, seasonal Senior over 65 Free, Daily $10.00, Weekly $15.00
Active Military Members: Tags are free (4 free per family)F or veterans, beach tags are free only for that veteran.
Beach tags can be purchased in person at
the Beach Fee Office @ 265 42nd Street, and on-line with your Mobile Device.
Note that the Beach Fee Office can accept cash or check only. Beach tags and parking permits will be required for the summer season 2025. If the beach is in operation you can purchase tags on the beach from the inspectors.
Portable toilets are available throughout the beach area.
Parking permits for municipal parking lots can be purchased for $30.00 for the Seasonal permit or $10.00 for daily permits. Permits can be purchased on-line and at the Beach Fee Office, located at 15th St. and Brigantine Ave. from May 1 through Sept. 1. Entrances to Beaches: South End of Lagoon Blvd., Harbor Beach Blvd. & Seaside Rd., and North End at 14th St. North. Surfing is permitted at 12th St. North, 10th St. South, North of South End Jetty, South of the Sandy Lane bathing area.
Fishing is permitted north of 14th Street North.
Propane BBQ Grills permitted from October 1st to May 29th.
Dogs are allowed on the beach provided they are on a leash, not longer than 6 ft. Dog feces must be removed. Dogs are allowed on the North-End Beach any time.
Longport
Longport is located on the southern tip of Absecon Island, the borough encompasses approximately half of a square mile of land area and is bordered by the bay on the northwestern coast and the ocean on the southeastern coast.
2025 Beach access will be available in May, 2025
The
Beach access fees for 2024 were:
Badges required for all people 12 years and older.
Regular seasonal tags will cost $35 each and senior seasonal tags will cost $10 each. Active military free.
Beach tags will be available at the beach Headquarters located at 33rd and Atlantic Avenue.
Restrooms and showers are located on 33rd and Atlantic Avenue in the Community Building. There are no changing rooms.
The
Borough of Longport provides transport over the dunes to individuals that need assistance. Individuals requesting transport to fill out an application and submit required documentation.
Metered parking is available on Atlantic Avenue up to 15th Street. On-street parking is available but limited.
Surfing allowed at 12th, 22nd, 28th and 32nd streets.
Kayaking and windsurfing is permitted between 14th and 15th streets, 22nd and 23rd, 27th and 29th, and 32nd and 33rd streets.
Fishing is allowed at unguarded beaches only.
Charcoal Barbecuing is permtted on the summer holidays, of Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.
Longport Dog Beach is an off-leash dog beach located at Malibu Beach Wildlife Management area where dogs of all sizes can play in the sand and water. The beach is located at the base of the Ocean Drive Bridge on the Longport side across from the fishing pier. Owners must bring their own water and waste disposal items. There are no trash receptacles so be prepared to dispose of all trash off-site.
Margate
Margate is located on Absecon Island and is approximately 1.50 miles long and 1.0 miles at its widest point. It is bordered by Ventnor City to the Northeast and Longport Borough to the Southwest, with the Atlantic Ocean to the East and Beach Thoroughfare (the "Bay") to the West.
Beach Badges are required during the summer season by everyone 12 years of age and older
Preseason Rates (Prior to May 31, 2025)
Regular (12 & Over): $10.00, Senior (65 & over): $3.50
Starting June 1st, 2025 - All Badges will be $20
Veteran Badges- available free of charge. Those eligible include: Active Military and Active members of the NJ National Guard, their spouse and dependent children ages 12 through 25; Other Veterans who were honorably discharged (1 badge) with military ID or discharge papers.
Beach Badges will be available for Purchase and Reserved Badges for Pickup at the Martin Bloom Pavilion (located behind the Library) Monday through Friday from 9am to 2:30pm (Excluding Holidays) and 10am - 2:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays starting April 8th.
They are also available for purchase on-line
Restrooms are located at Huntington Ave-Bloom Pavilion Rumson Ave Benson Ave-Greenhouse Adams Ave Beach
Non-metered street parking is available.
Kayaking and surfing are allowed only at specific beaches. Contact Beach Patrol Headquarters for those locations. Hobie Cat sailing is allowed by permit only.
Beaches with handicap access and mats on the Beach to make mobility easier while wheeling over the sand include: Andover Ave Barclay Ave Clermont Ave Douglas Ave Exeter Ave Huntington Ave Kenyon Ave Osborne Ave Rumson Ave Vendome Ave Decatur Ave Madison Ave & Coolidge Ave Beach Patrol has sand wheelchairs. Call to reserve. Also The Martin Bloom Pavilion has sand wheelchairs.
Small food items and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed.
Barbecue cooking is allowed only on Independence Day and Labor Day.
Ventnor City
Ventnor City is a charming coastal town located on Absecon Island, just south of Atlantic City. Known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful beaches, Ventnor offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of its more famous neighbor.
Beach badges are required to access the beach from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
Beach badges are required for all individuals 12 and older.
Badges can be purchased prior to June 1st for $10.00 for the season, and $3.50 for Seasonal Senior Citizens badges.
After May 31st, all badges are available at a rate of $20.00 for the Season.
Badges can be purchased at Ventnor City Hall or on the Beach by any Beach Badge Inspector at the beach entrance. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Please call the Ventnor City Clerk's Office for additional information.
Badges can also be purchased on-line
Public restrooms are available at the public library, the fishing pier, and the tennis courts
Metered parking at New Haven Ave. and Surrey Ave.
Surfing is permitted at Cornwall & Boardwalk Avenues.
Kayaking and Windsurfing is permitted at Portland & Suffolk Avenues.
Surf Fishing is not permitted. 4th of July weekend
Beach Volleyball Courts Located next to the Fishing Pier at Cambridge Avenue and in front of the tennis courts at Somerset Avenue.
BBQs will be permitted on weekends from June through September from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Grills only, no open pits. 10am-6pm (Beach Badges Required.) open fire pits not allowed. In addition, the following dates will allow BBQs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Memorial Day Celebrations, Independence Day: July 4 & Labor Day.
