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- Public Trust Doctrine and Beach Access
      
       New Jersey's coastal beaches are subject to a legal principle, dating to ancient Rome and carried down in the common law of medieval England, of the "public trust" in which the sovereign government owns lands subject to tidal flows and that the public accordingly has the right to access the tidal waters and their shorelines. As the sovereign in its territory, the state of New Jersey owns tide-flowed (also called "riparian") lands as trustee for the public's reasonable use.  Under the state Constitution, revenue from the sale or lease of tide-flowed property by the state is dedicated to support of the public schools. For much of the state's history, coastal municipalities acted with wide discretion in controlling access to beaches and setting rules for their use. A law enacted in 1955 authorized New Jersey municipalities bordering the Atlantic Ocean, tidal water bays or rivers to charge a fee to beachgoers in order to help pay for associated maintenance and safety costs.

       Over the last few decades however, court decisions have increasingly limited the freedom of local governments in managing access to their beaches. In 1972, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that a municipality could not charge higher fees to non-residents than to residents for use of its municipal beaches, Borough of Neptune City v. Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea, 61 N.J. 296 (1972), and a few years later also ruled that a municipality could not set aside part of a public beach for exclusive use by residents. Van Ness v. Borough of Deal, 78 N.J. 174 (1978). In 1984, the Court also extended the public trust obligation to a private  association established by beachfront homeowners, concluding that it acted in a "quasi-public" capacity in attempting to restrict beach access only to association members and accordingly violated the right of the general public to gain access. Matthews v. Bay Head Improvement Association, 95 N.J. 306 (1984). More recently, legal disputes have arisen over the state's efforts to acquire through eminent domain coastal property to build dunes and other shore protection measures, particularly after the massive damage caused by tidal surges during Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. 


       The Department of Environmental Protection is the primary state agency with jurisdiction over coastal resources under authority provided it by the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1970 and a series of state laws, commencing in 1914 with the Waterfront Development Law and followed  by the Wetlands Act of 1970 and the Coastal Area Facility Review Act of 1973.  Pursuant to its statutory authority, the DEP has issued a series of regulations, including those relating to public access, designated as its Coastal Zone Management Rules. The DEP also requires public access to the shore and tidal waterways under its Coastal Permit Program for private development and use. Despite the state's efforts to make beaches broadly accessible, some towns have discouraged use by non-residents, usually by imposing restrictions on areas, fees or hours for parking near beach access points.

       Following the erosion suffered by most of the state's beachfront due to Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, beaches have been restored with sand dredged and deposited by the Army Corps of Engineers. The longer-term health of the shoreline remains at risk, however, due to climate change leading to higher ocean levels. In a 2022 report, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration predicted sea-level rise of 10-12 inches along the East Coast by 2050, resulting in “moderate" flooding occurring “10 times more often than it does today..."

       In 2025, several shore towns imposed restrictions and curfews on the gathering of crowds of teens and young adults after a series of episodes of boisterous behavior. 
*  NJ beaches paid for by all, but parking keeps outsiders away, 5/21/2021, APnews.com
*  
10 Years After Hurricane Sandy: What’s Next for the Jersey Shore?, 6/27/2022, NJMonthly.com
*  Beach mob of ‘drunken teens’ forced Jersey Shore town’s crackdown, city says, 5/31/2023, NJ.com
Picture
Breach in beach separating Barnegat Bay from Atlantic Ocean in Mantoloking as a result of tidal surge from Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. Image: NASA
Vintage Atlantic City 1920 Steel Pier Tie
Vintage Atlantic City 1920 Steel Pier Tie by NewJerseyVintage
Find more Atlantic city Ties at Zazzle
Picture
New Jersey Orange & Yellow
drawstring bag

​15.5″ W by 19.5″ H

Booking.com

-- Booking.com

​

Many shore towns offer discounted rates for beach badges purchased prior to the summer season. The following rates are those available in summer 2024 after pre-season discounts have ended.
​
PictureAsbury Park beach. Image: NewJerseyAlmanac.com
- A

*  Asbury Park                      
​
  • $6 daily weekday, $10 weekends and holidays
  • $70 seasonal
  • $20 for seniors age 62+, youth adults 13-17
  • Children 12 and younger are free
  • Active military members and their families are free
  • Veterans are free
​*  Bordered by Ocean Grove on south and Loch Arbour and Allenhurst on north, known for role in evolution of rock music, particularly at Ocean Avenue bar Stone Pony hosting Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, others. Boardwalk anchored at south by dilapidated Casino (interior walkthrough closed May 2023 due to structural issues) and toward northern end by Convention Hall with theater featuring bands, also includes dining, shopping options. Beach restored and expanded with federal and state aid following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. One of lowest 2023 daily beach fee rates of those which charge, but meter parking along beachfront at high $3 hourly rate during summer. Free beach playgrounds at Second and Seventh avenues, limited number of accessible wheelchairs. Several boardwalk amusements, miniature golf courses closed during past redevelopment failures with continuing vacant spaces along boardwalk, but existing attractions include popular Silverball Arcade with 200 classic pinball machines, skee ball and video games. Founded by James A. Bradley, who invested funds from NY City brush and broom making business to buy lands for development of Asbury Park and Bradley Beach, later served as first Asbury Park mayor and newspaper publisher, advocated racial segregation to keep minorities away from  boardwalk and beach.

-- See also New Jersey Day Trips - Asbury Park

Convention Hall Asbury Park
Asbury Park boardwalk and Convention Hall. Image: NewJerseyAlmanac.com
Stone Pony bar
The Stone Pony bar. Image: NewJerseyAlmanac.com
-- Booking.com
PictureAtlantic City bathers circa 1900. Image: NewJerseyAlmanac.com
​
*  Atlantic City                        
  • Free beaches
* NJ's best-known resort, founded 1854 by group of businessmen who saw potential as a resort, growth sparked by opening of railroad to Philadelphia in 1855, by early 1900s one of most popular spots in country, aided by open defiance of .laws restricting gambling, prostitution, alcohol, also site of Miss America Pageant from 1921 to 2006.   Decline in 1950s, 1960s due to air travel allowing affordable travel to other vacation options, failure to renew aging hotels and other attractions, casino gambling approved  by 1976 NJ voter referendum, first casino, Resorts International, opened May 1978, after early growth 1990s and 2000s increased competition from neighboring states and emergence of online gambling resulted in several casinos closing due to financial difficulties, with limited casino recovery following Covid-19 pandemic closures and restrictions in 2020-21, but extensive blight remains in residential neighborhoods.  

Beaches clean and spacious, site of frequent summer events and music festivals, surfing beaches at Crystal Beach at New Hampshire Avenue; Delaware Avenue Beach; Downtown Beach at Raleigh Avenue. Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall (former Convention Hall) hosts concerts, exhibitions, supplemented by newer Convention Center opened 1997, boardwalk includes Steel Pier amusement park with Ferris Wheel, rides, dining, Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum, former Showboat casino-hotel now features non-gaming attractions such as water park opened summer 2023, go-kart racing, pinball and other games.
​
​-- See also Atlantic City Casino-hotels

Atlantic City beachfront
Image: www.atlanticcitynj.com
Picture
Poster circa 1920. Image: NewJerseyAlmanac.com
Picture
Picture
Images: NewJerseyAlmanac.com

​*  Avalon                           
  • $8 daily
  • $17 weekly
  • $40 seasonal
  • Beach badges also accepted in Stone Harbor
  • Children younger than 12 are free
  • Veterans are free
  • Active service members and their immediate families are free (beach tag not required)
  •  Kayaks and surfing allowed on designated beaches57th Street and the Bay. 
*  .Northernmost town on “Seven Mile Island”  about 36 miles south of Atlantic City and 20 miles north of Cape May. Shares its island with Stone Harbor to south. with which it  has reciptocal agreement for use of beach tags. Incorporated as a borough in 1892, some of most expensive real estate on East Coast, 2024 median listing home price $3 million, median home sold price $1.6 million. Town’s motto “Cooler by a Mile” because it sits about mile further out to sea than its neighboring barrier islands along South Jersey coastline. Avalon Dune and Beach Trail offers walk through maritime forest to beach through both freshwater and salt water environments with diverse plants and forest trees, giving way to shrubs, grasses and finally drifting sand dunes.

​-- Avalon Beach Webcam 

​*  Avon by the Sea
  • $12 daily
  • $55 seasonal for seniors age 65+ and young adults 12-18
  • $100 seasonal
  • Children 11 and younger are free
  •  badges can only be paid for with cash or by check.
  • Surfing allowed ​at "L Jetty" Washington Avenue                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            *  Borders Monmouth County communities of Belmar to south and Bradley Beach to north, , incorporated 1900 as borough of "Avon-By-The-Sea" from portions of Neptune City on lands originally bought IN 1878 by Philadelphia tobacco manufacturer Edward Batchelor, who had visited nearby Ocean Grove to relax and fish. Located on Shark River and north end of Avon borders Sylvan Lake separating it from Bradley Beach Total area of 0.55 square miles   Beach open year-round, designated beaches for surfing and boating, free on-street parking. Boardwalk without amusements, public restrooms on boardwalk at Lincoln and Norwood avenues.

-- B

*  Barnegat Light
  • ​ $5 daily
  • $22 weekly
  • $45 seasonal 
  • $12 seasonal badge for seniors 65+
  • ​​Badges purchased on beach from beach badge checkers are $1 extra.
*   Situated on northern tip of Long Beach Island featuring Barnegat Lighthouse State Park with lighthouse, originally lit in 1859 to protect shipping, popular for climbing with adjacent dining, picnicking and fishing areas, original lighthouse lens on display at nearby Barnegat Light Historical Society's Schoolhouse Museum. Restrooms, playgrounds on West 10th Street and at Bay Beach, free tram picks up beachgoers on each street end and runs to guarded area between 9th and 10th streets when lifeguards are on duty. Fishing port Viking Village home to over 40 fishing vessels including a scalloper featured in hit film, "The Perfect Storm." about 5 million pounds of seafood annually packed here and shipped around world.

​- see also Historic Sites - Lighthouses 
​
Picture
Viking Village marina. Image: Viking Village, Inc.
*    Bay Head
  • $12 daily (cash only)
  • $60 half-seasonal
  • $110 seasonal
  • Surfing allowed
​
*  Borders on Point Pleasant Beach to north and Mantoloking on south situated on barrier island between Barnegat Bay and Atlantic. Name derived from Bayhead Land Company that developed area in 1870s. One of most affluent towns in NJ, median home value exceeds $1.2 million, 2020 census population 930. Beachfront dominated by large homes, no boardwalk or beach amenities, no restrooms or showers and food not allowed on beach, but restrooms at municipal comfort station two blocks inland. Residents previously resisted efforts to expand public access to non-residents. All beaches in Bay Head owned and operated independently by Bay Head Improvement Association and not by Borough government, beach badges must be purchased at office in center of town. Street parking free, but limited spaces near beach public access points.

PictureDr. Edward H. Williams House, Beach Haven Historic District. Source: Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 /Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD
*  Beach Haven
                                                                  
  • $10 daily 
  • $20 weekly
  • $40 seasonal
  • $10 Senior (lifetime)
  • Veterans (lifetime) free
  • Active military and their families are free
*  Borders Ocean County municipalities on Long Beach Island of Little Egg Harbor Township to south and Long Beach Township on north. Originally established 1873 to house wealthy summer residents from Philadelphia, several Victorian mansions remain comprising Beach Haven Historic District listed in NJ and National Register of Historic Places. Public restrooms at Centre Street Beach Patrol building beach entrance.

  • Beachwood
  • $10 seasonal
  • 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult -
  • Seniors 60 and over free
  • $5 parking permits for residents, $10 for non residents
                                                                                                                                                                       *  Incorporated as borough 1917 from 1760 acres previously part of Berkeley Township in Ocean County, promoted as beachfront summer real estate development by publishers of former New York Tribune newspaper and head of its promotions department Bertram Mayo, with buyers of original lots given 6-month subscription to Tribune as bonus. Borders on Ocean County municipalities of Berkeley Township, Pine Beach and South Toms River, with Garden State Parkway passing through borough. 2020 census population 10,859. 

*  Belmar
  • $12 daily
  • Children 13 and younger are free
  • $80 seasonal
  • $32 seasonal for seniors age 65+
  • Active military members and their families are free
  • Disabled veterans and Gold Star Family members are free
  • ​Surfing allowed at 10th Avenue
​
*  Name means "beautiful sea" in Italian. Situated in Monmouth County on south side of Shark River, large municipal and private marinas in bay and on inlet to ocean with fishing trips. Beaches have most children's playgrounds in NJ, located at about every 5 beaches, also has several designated beaches for boogie boarding, kayaking and surfing, including surf camp for surfing lessons, also accessible beaches with hard surface ramps providing access for anyone with wheelchairs, walking aids, or baby strollers. Frequently hosts surfing events and competitions. Annual Seafood Festival in May one of most popular NJ food festivals. Restaurant at Taylor Pavilion on boardwalk, also easy access from beach to several food, snack, drinking options on Ocean Avenue.


*  Bradley Beach
  • Daily: $13
  • $37 seasonal for seniors age 65+ and young adults 13-15
  • $85 seasonal
  • $45 weekly 
  • Children 12 and younger are free
  • Active military members and spouse & dependents are free 
  • Beach accessible to those in need of a wheelchair at Cliff, Brinley ,Third and Evergreen Avenues, beach chairs available for those with disabilities 
  • Metered parking during summer on Ocean Avenue at $1.50 per hour                                                                                                                                                                                                               *  Monmouth County municipality bordering on Ocean Grove to north and Avon to south. Incorporated 1893 from portions of Neptune Township, first location in US to charge sea bathers for beach access when it began minting its own tin badges starting in 1929. Named for James A. Bradley, who with partner William Bradner, invested funds from NY City broom making business to buy lands for development of Asbury Park and Bradley Beach, later served as Asbury Park mayor, advocated racial segregation to keep minorities away from boardwalk and beach. Purported 1679 exploration when pirate Captain William Kidd anchored his vessel off Duck Creek, now known as Sylvan Lake at southern border with Avon, legend that Kidd buried treasure onshore.  2020 census population of 4,282, increases to approximately 30,000 during summer.                                                                                                                                                        
 
*  Brick Township 
  • $10 daily
  • $45 seasonal
  • Children 12 and younger are free
  • Seniors 65+ are free
  • Veterans are free
  • Daily Parking     $10
  • Senior Citizen Parking    $1 per day
​
* Largest NJ beach town in area (22 square miles) and population (just over 75,000 in 2020 Census), majority of Township area located on mainland with Ocean Beaches I, II, and III situated on  Barnegat Peninsula, barrier peninsula separating Barnegat Bay from Atlantic Ocean, with mainland and beach area not geographically adjacent. Incorporated as a township in 1850, from portions of both Dover Township (now Toms River Township) and Howell Township. Named after Joseph Brick, owner of Bergen Iron Works located on Metedeconk River. Three public swimming beaches located off Route 35, no swimming at Windward Beach on Princeton Avenue, but amenities include playgrounds, volleyball nets, restrooms, fishing and crabbing piers, bocce courts, horseshoe pits, picnic tables and a gazebo. 

*  Brigantine
  • $10 daily
  • $15 weekly
  • $25 seasonal 
  • Seniors 65+ are free
  • Veterans are free
  • Active military members and three family members are free
  • Parking permits for municipal lots $8 daily, $25 seasonal

*  Located on Brigantine Island just north of Atlantic City, only land access by NJ Route 87  (locally known as Brigantine Boulevard) over Justice Vincent S. Haneman Memorial Bridge . Borders Atlantic County municipalities of Atlantic City and Galloway Township (from which it was created as separate municipality in 1890). Name derived from nearby shipwrecks of a type of sailing vessel known as a "brigantine" with wo-masts and fully square-rigged foremast and at least two sails on main mast: a square topsail and a gaff sail mainsail. Site of Brigantine Lighthouse built 1926 in effort to promote island as location for potential residents and visitors; Marine Mammal Stranding Center, state's only marine stranding center,  rehabilitates and releases stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, rescuing more than 3,900 whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles since establishment;  part of Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge on northern end of Brigantine Island, habitat for endangered or threatened birds, including bald eagle, peregrine falcon, American black duck, and piping plover. Beach patrol gives swimming lessons each summer, also water safety, skin cancer avoidance lectures to groups and schools, also operates two-week ‘junior lifeguard” program for up to 125 candidates to learn basic lifeguarding techniques and water safety.
​
-- Brigantine Beach Webcam  
- see also Historic Sites - Lighthouses

-- C
​

-- Booking.com


*  Cape May
  • $10 daily
  • $20 for 3-day pass
  • $25 weekly
  • $40 seasonal
  • Children 11 and younger are free
  • Veterans are free
  • Active service members and their immediate families are free
  • No public locker rooms or shower facilities, but open showers located along beachfront to wash away sand

​*  Ranked #23 of best US Beaches in 2023 by US News & World Report. After early colonial settlement as whaling port, became first NJ beachfront resort, visitors prior to Revolution came from Philadelphia by horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches, sloops and schooners, subsequently popular with southern plantation owners seeking relief from summer heat, later began to attract elite of New York and Baltimore. Entire town listed on National Register of Historic Places for roughly 600 preserved Victorian buildings including 18-room Emlen Physick Estate built in 1879, other attractions Nature Center of Cape May along harbor, commercial fishing port at Fisherman’s Wharf, with offshore whale and dolphin watching trips. Approximately 2.5 miles of beaches. 45 miles south of Atlantic City, 95 miles southeast of Philadelphia and roughly 160 miles south of NY City, less than 3,500 residents but upward of 50,000 annual vacationers.

Picture
Cape May from sea. Image: Wikimedia Commons/Smallbones
*  Cape May Point State Park    
​                                                                                                                                                                      *  State park of 244 acres of freshwater meadows, ponds, forests, dunes and beach, short bike ride from town of Cape May, free to public, location for birding, picnics, and nature walks with ponds, coastal dunes, marshes, and forest habitat, home to endangered birds. Cape May Point State Park also site of 157-foot Cape May Lighthouse still active aid to navigation. Free on-site parking. Cape May Point beaches run from the State Park (Lighthouse Avenue) up to and including the Alexander Avenue Jetty, but swimming restrictions due to underwater hazards, but surf fishing permitted.
- see also State Parks
​- see also Historic Sites - Lighthouses


-- D



*  Deal
  • $10 daily weekday, $12 weekends and holidays
  • $200 seasonal
  • Children 12 and younger are free
  • ​Surfing allowed at Ocean Lane
  • Conover Pavilion beach club open to public with restrooms and snack bar located at foot of Phillips Avenue at the Ocean, two members of an immediate family season rate
    $850, weekday admission $10, weekend $12, veterans and children under 12 are free
  • Free on-street parking, but limited to two hours
  • Deal Casino Beach Club members only, free on-street parking, but limited to two hours.
                                                                                                                                                                     *  Hishest season beach fees in state at $200, increase of $50 over 2024 fee. Residents long resistant to beach access by non-residents, limited parking options at beach access points. Monmouth County borough with population of 900 in 2020 US census, increases to over 6,000 in summer, bordered by Loch Arbour and Allenhurst on south and west, Long Branch to north. Known for substantial resident Jewish community in pre-World War II 20th century when other Shore towns less welcoming, more recent influx of Orthodox Sephardic Jews, mainly of Syrian origin who now comprise some 80% of Deal's population, 16.4% of Deal residents identified as being of Syrian heritage, greatest percentage of Syrian Americans in any municipality in country according to US Census. Many of original Victorian and Edwardian homes replaced by Sephardic owners with new contemporary mansions of striking design. One of state's most affluent communities, in 2022 ranked as second most expensive zip code in NJ, with homes valued at $2.1 million.
*  Deal NJ is now Home to the Most Insanely Expensive Beach Badges in America, 1057thehawk.com

-- G

​*  Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
  • Free admission
  • $20 daily parking/$50 oversized vehicles
  • $100 seasonal parking/$200 oversized vehicles
*  Federal property administered by National Park Service located at entrance of NY Harbor; overlaps Sandy Hook in New Jersey and areas in Jamaica Bay and Staten Island in New York.  Sandy Hook peninsula explored by Henry Hudson Sandy Hook Unit site of oldest surviving lighthouse in US first lit in 1764, also surviving structures of Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark, several batteries and historic Army buildings, a former United States Life-Saving Service station building. Sandy Hook Unit iopen daily year-round from 6 am to 9 pm. Site of only clothing-optional beach in state, Gunnison Beach, largest nude beach on East Coast 

​- see also National Parks
​- see also Historic Sites - Lighthouses
Picture
Sandy Hook Lighthouse Image: National Park Service

-- H

 *  Harvey Cedars
  • $7 daily
  • $20 weekly
  • $45 seasonal
  • $12 seasonal badge for seniors 65+
  • Veterans are free
  • Active military members and their families are free
​
*  Affluent borough located towards northern end of Long Beach Island fronting both Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay, 2020 US census population 391, summer population estimated 12,000, majority of homes primarily seasonal. Bayfront or oceanfront houses priced at $2 million or more, Borders Ocean County municipalities of Barnegat Township, Long Beach Township and Stafford Township. Sunset Park on bay has children's playground, picnic tables, walkway over bay, tennis courts, basketball court and public restrooms. 

​-- Harvey Cedars Webcam 
Picture
Image: Borough of Harvey Cedars

​-- I


*  Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park
  • $10 weekend per vehicle for NJ residents
  • $20 weekend per vehicle for non-residents
  • $6 weekday per vehicle for NJ residents
  • $12 weekday per vehicle for non-residents
  • $5 for NJ resident motorcyclists
  • $7 for non-resident motorcyclists
  • Park Hours
    Gate Daily – 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    Park Office Daily – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*  Narrow barrier island stretches for 10 miles between Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. One of best NJ remaining coastal habitats comprising dunes, maritime plants, treshwater wetlands, maritime forest and tidal marshes with state's largest osprey colony, as well as peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl and migrating songbirds. Swimming permitted only during summer when lifeguards on duty. Popularity often leads to early closing of access gate during weekends, other peak periods when parking lots reach capacity.

​- see also State Parks

-- K
* Keansburg
  • Free beaches
  • Swimming permitted from daybreak until dusk, but no lifeguards on duty. Visitors are permitted on the beach until 7 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier, every day, beach accessible by two wooden Bay Walks adjacent to metered municipal parking lot. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms and showers are at the intersection of Beachway and Belleview Avenue.
  • fishing pier along with number of other recreational fishing areas and nearby marine services, fishing and boating supply stores
  • Amusement Park & Runaway Rapids Family Waterpark with origins to 1904, offers classic rides, gaming arcade, batting cages, go-karts
  •                                                                                                                                                             * * Originally fishing hamlet, later port for steamboat transportation from New York City, closest Jersey shore community for visitors from New York, northern NJ, view from shore of New York City skyline, received national award from American Shore and Beach Preservation Association as one of nation’s Best Restored Beaches following damage from 2012 Superstorm Sandy for replenishment program and multi-phase beachfront project restoring 2.5 miles of shoreline 

-- L


*   Lavallette 
  • No fee for children under the age of 12
  • Season $65.00 per person per season
  • Weekly $35.00 per person per week or fraction thereof
  • Daily $13.00 per person 
  • Season seniors 65 years of age or over.$20.00 per person
  • $15.00 per person for any totally disabled person
  • No Charge for all veterans of any military service and all military service personnel on active duty status
​
*  Ocean County borough with 2020 US census population of 1,787 situated on Barnegat Peninsula, barrier peninsula separating Barnegat Bay from Atlantic Ocean. Incorporated as borough in 1887 from portions of Dover Township (now Toms River Township), named for Elie A. F. La Vallette, one of first US Navy rear admirals appointed when President Abraham Lincoln created rank in 1862, and father of Albert T. Lavallette, co-founder of borough. Nine protected ocean beaches designated for swimming as well as two on Barnegat Bay. Four of ocean beaches have specifically designated areas for surfing and surf-fishing. Adult daily fee of $13 tied for NJ highest with Jenkinson's beach in Point Pleasant Beach.



*  Loch Arbour
  • $10 daily, $12 weekends (including Fridays) and holidays
  • $110 Season adults (including children 12 and over)
  • $80 Season seniors 65 and over

​*  Small village in Monmouth County with population of 224 in 2020 Census, third-smallest municipality in NJ, only two blocks long from north to south and only one tenth of a square mile in area. Created 1957 as separate municipality from portion of Ocean Township after residents organized to oppose potential approval of condominium development, named after Lochaber, Scotland. Bordered to north by Borough of Deal and Borough of Allenhurst, to west by Borough of Interlaken and to south by City of Asbury Park and Deal Lake.

*  Long Beach Township
  • $10 daily
  • $20 weekly
  • $40 seasonal resident
  • $80 seasonal non-resident
  • Veterans are free
  • Active military members and their families are free
*  Most of township located on Long Beach Island, includes unincorporated communities Loveladies, Brant Beach, Beach Haven, Holgate, Spray Beach, others. 2020 census population 3,153, but estimated summer population exceeds 100,000. Incorporated as township 1899, from portions of adjacent towns including Barnegat Light and Ship Bottom-Beach. Name derives from length of island along Barnegat Bay. Median home value $912,600.  Interactive water play activities at iThundering Surf Water Park in Beach Haven, Cowabunga Beach, designed especially for toddlers.
​

​*  Long Branch
  • $6 daily, $9 weekend and holidays
  • $3 daily for young adults 14-17
  • $70 seasonal
  • $30 seasonal for young adults 14-17
  • Seniors 62+ are free
  • Children 13 and younger are free
  • Disabled people are free
​
*  Resort gained prominence in 19th Century, particularly after President Grant describing it in 1869 as nation's “summer capital”, tradition of summer visits continued with Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, and Wilson; after Garfield shot in Washington at rail station on July 2, 1881, to escape heat in Washington he was taken by special train to Elberon section of Long Branch to be treated at  beachfront house with cooler ocean breezes, but died there on September 19, 1881.  Recent intense redevelopment of beachfront with hotels, townhouses, retail, and restaurants, initially led by Kushner family real estate firm, who have long owned summer home in Elberon section. Beach badge fees one of lowest of beaches which charge for access, limited number of surf chairs and water chairs available for use.
​
Picture
Pier Village. Image: Wikimedia Commons/Lancer Evolution CC BY 2.0
Picture
Drawings depicting President Garfield's transport to and treatment in Long Branch from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper image in Library of Congress
Picture
*  Long Branch; Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park
  • $10 daily
  • $75 seasonal
  • $30 seasonal for seniors age 65+
  • $20 seasonal for disabled people
  • Children 17 and younger are free
  •                                                                                    
  • * Part of Monmouth County Park System, 38-acre beach park, during summer includes snack bar, sheltered eating areas, volleyball area, outdoor showers and changing areas, guarded swimming, designated areas for surfing. Name derived from President Grant describing Long Branch as nation's “summer capital” in 1869, tradition of summer presidential visits.  In the late 1800s Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park was site of "The Reservation" that Long Branch businessman Nate Salsbury built as camp for Buffalo Bill Wild West Show when not performing, with Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and Chief Sitting Bull were among many performers.

,*  Longport                                          
  • Season $35
  • Season senior (65+) $15
  • Daily $5

​*  Situated on southwest corner of Absecon Island in Atlantic County, along with Margate City, Ventnor City and Atlantic City to the northeast. incorporated as a borough in 1898 from portions of Egg Harbor Township. 2020 US census population 893, Name derived from early landowner James Long. Free parking. Surfing permitted in areas designated by lifeguards.  Dedicated beach for off-leash dogs at the Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area on Route 152 in Egg Harbor Township, free parking near beach, but limited spaces.


-- Continued Manasquan thru Wildwoods
Recreation
*
Beaches  * Waterparks  * Swimming holes/Lakes  * Zoos/Aquariums                         * Amusement parks
                                                                                 
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