Out of the 45 towns we looked at, nine are either free or charge under $10 a day. Meanwhile, six now cost $15 for to enjoy on their sand. We go through all the beach badge prices again and like last year, the further south you go, the cheaper it gets, generally.
Remember, Atlantic City, Strathmere, the Wildwoods and most of the bay beaches are all free! Let’s go through the list.
Note that these prices are for general admission for adults. Many towns offer cheaper or free beach badges for kids under 12, active military, veterans and seniors.
Monmouth County
Monmouth County has the highest seasonal beach badge costs to get on the sand. This includes the wealthy enclave of Deal which, at $200, is the most expensive seasonal beach badge for a town at the Jersey Shore.
Ocean County
The biggest county at the Jersey Shore (by area) has the biggest range in seasonal beach badge prices. Many Long Beach Island towns charge $50 for the season, making it quickly worthwhile to buy a seasonal badge vs. daily. Meanwhile, Mantoloking would require a lot of time in town to make up for the $145 seasonal charge.
Pt. Pleasant Beach is an interesting situation. Most of the town’s beach is operated by Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, at $130 for the season. The areas in town that are operated by the municipality, like Bradshaw’s beach and Maryland Avenue beach, are $145 for the season.
Atlantic County (Updated for Longport and Ventnor on 5/23)
The South vs. Central (yes, Central Jersey exists, and it includes Long Beach Island during the summer) divide is very real. Once you transition south of the Mullica River, beach badge prices for the season go way down.
Even Longport, at $70 for the season, would be a mid-tier Ocean County price and tied for the lowest in Monmouth County! The Atlantic City beach is always free, too.
Margate and Longport only sell seasonal badges. Still, the $20 in Margate isn’t too far off from some daily badge prices in Monmouth and northern Ocean counties.
Cape May County
Cape May County is home to the most free beaches on the ocean! The Wildwoods, Strathmere and Corson’s Inlet State Park all do not charge for access to the sand.
Even if you take away the free beaches, the rest of the towns have the lowest average cost of buying a seasonal pass. If you want the best bang for your buck, Cape May County is it.
Cumberland County
The Jersey Shore doesn’t end when the ocean does! The Delaware Bayshore offers FREE, quiet, small beaches. The waves are gentle. Just don’t expect any lifeguards or concessions stands here.
Fortescue offers the most populated beach town with a few restaurants, a marina and a few service. Thompsons Beach, Moores Beach and Sea Breeze may not even offer a bathroom.
The greenhead flies will be an issue during the summer many days, though. Keep that in mind.