Cape May County is home to some of New Jersey’s most renowned and historic beaches. Though they all share the beautiful Atlantic Coastline, each municipality’s beach is unique and memorable in its own right. So play in the sand, catch a nap, take a refreshing dip or soak up the sunshine on any and all of our Jersey Cape’s beautiful beaches!
Here’s all you need to know about each municipality’s beach regulations, tagging policies and facilities so you can enjoy some fun in the sun:
Avalon
Required: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $27 ($22 if purchased on or before May 31); Weekly – $12; Daily – $6; 11 and under, active military and family, and veterans – free. Tags also honored on Stone Harbor beaches.
Lifeguards: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking: Borough lots at 28th – 30th Streets & the beach; 32nd & Dune Drive behind the Municipal Building; on the corner of 21st Street & 5th Avenue; off Ocean Drive on 20th Street. All parking in Avalon is free of charge.
Restrooms: Borough Hall, 32nd & Dune Drive; Public Safety Building, 31st & Dune Drive; Community Hall, 30th & the beach; Tennis Buildings, 8th & 39th Streets; 10th & Dune Drive; 30th Street & the beach (next to the Tot Lot).
Where to Purchase: Avalon beach tags can be purchased at the Beach Tag Booth at Community Hall on 30th Street & Avalon Avenue or from any on-duty Avalon Beach Patrol Tag Inspector.
More Information: www.visitavalonnj.com, (609) 967-3936
Cape May
Required: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $28; Weekly – $18; 3-day – $12; Daily – $6; 11 and under, active military and veterans – free.
Lifeguards: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parking: Metered parking is available along the beachfront; free parking is located several blocks in on smaller side streets.
Restrooms: Comfort stations are located along the promenade.
Where to Purchase: Beach tags can be purchased at any beach entrance from beach patrol crews and at City Hall. To order through mail, send a check to 643 Washington Street, Cape May. There is a flat $3 shipping fee per order. A maximum of five seasonal tags per individual may be purchased.
More Information: www.capemay.com, (609) 884-9525
Ocean City
Required: June 4 through September 5
Fees: Seasonal – $25 ($20 if purchased on or before May 31); Weekly – $10; Daily – $5; 11 and under, active military and family, and veterans – free.
Lifeguards: Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parking: Metered parking available; non-metered spaces available further from the beach; municipal lots on 4th, 8th, 9th and 14th Streets & Moorlyn Terrace; pay-by-hour lots also available.
Restrooms: 1st, 6th, 12th, 34th and 59th Street beaches; Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk.
Where to Purchase: Purchase online at www.ocnj.us/beachtags. A mail-in order form is also available online. Purchase in person at City Hall, Route 52 Welcome Center, Ocean City Music Pier, Henry Knight Building, Aquatic & Fitness Center, 34th Street Welcome Center and 46th Street Information Center. Only seasonal beach tags can be purchased via online or mail order.
More Information: www.ocnj.us, (609) 399-6111
Sea Isle City
Required: Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $25; Weekly – $10; Daily – $5; 11 and under, active military and family, and veterans – free; Wednesdays are FREE BEACH DAYS, except on July 4.
Lifeguards: Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parking: Metered parking available; parking lots located at 125 JFK Boulevard, 40th Street & Central Avenue, 42nd Place & the Bay, 45th Street & Landis Avenue, 48th Street & Central Avenue and 94th Street & Landis Avenue; parking permits are available at the City Clerk’s office at a seasonal rate of $200 or a weekly rate of $30. Weekly parking permits are also available on weekends at the Boat Ramp and the Marina Office.
Restrooms: 32nd Street & the Promenade*; 40th Street & the Promenade*; JFK Boulevard & Landis Avenue; 347 – 42nd Place; 44th Street & the Promenade*; 60th Street & Central Avenue; 6108 Central Avenue; 85th Street & the beach*; 94th Street & Landis Avenue (*rinse stations).
Where to Purchase: The Beach Tag Office is located at 300 JFK Boulevard. Seasonal beach tags are also available at the Welcome Center and City Hall’s Tax Office, 233 JFK Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Room 204. iPhone mobile users can purchase beach tags through the Viply app from the iTunes App Store. A nominal service charge will be applied at the time you purchase your beach tag(s).
More Information: www.visitsicnj.com, (609) 263-8687 ext. 106
Stone Harbor
Required: Friday of Memorial Day weekend to Monday of Labor Day weekend, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $27 ($22 if purchased on or before May 31); Weekly – $12; Daily – $6; 11 and under, active military and family, and veterans – free. Tags also honored on Avalon beaches.
Lifeguards: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking: Metered parking available; 95th Street beach lot; three-hour meters on designated streets; four-hour meters at two lots on the north side of 96th Street, west of 3rd Avenue, and one lot on the south side of 97th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues; Borough Hall parking lot. Parking permits are available in the Borough Clerk’s office at the cost of $225 per season, good in designated lots only.
Restrooms: 95th Street & Second Avenue; 95th Street & the beach; 122nd Street.
Where to Purchase: The Beach Tag Office is located at the Beach Patrol Building, 95th Street & the beach. Seasonal, weekly and daily tags may also be purchased from inspectors on the beach. To purchase tags by mail, send a check with your name, address and phone number and the number of tags desired. Tags will be held under your name at the Beach Tag Office located in the Beach Patrol Building. A mail order form is available at www.stoneharbornj.org/departments/beaches/beach-tags. Free veterans tags can be picked up at Borough Hall until Memorial Day weekend. After Memorial Day weekend, these tags can be picked up at the Beach Tag Office. Active military tags will only be issued at Beach Tag Office after Memorial Day weekend.
More Information: www.stoneharbornj.org, (609) 368-6805
Wildwoods
Fees: None; Wildwoods’ beaches are FREE!
Lifeguards: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parking: Metered parking available close to the beach; free street parking available farther from the beach and Boardwalk; parking lots close to the beach and Boardwalk are available, and most charge by the hour.
Restrooms: Along the Boardwalk; Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk between Andrews Avenue and Baker Avenue beaches; porta-potties on beach.