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 way. So play in the sand, take a nap, go for 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: May 27 through Sept. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $28; Weekly – $12; Daily – $6; 11 and under, active military and immediate 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, 30th Street & Avalon Avenue, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from any on-duty Avalon Beach Patrol Tag Inspector, or via mobile app at www.viplypass.com/avalon-beach-tags (fees apply; redeem tags at Beach Tag Booth or with Tag Inspector).
More Information: www.visitavalonnj.com, (609) 967-3936
Cape May
Required: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $28; Weekly – $18; 3-day – $12; Daily – $6; 11 and under, active military and immediate family, 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, or at City Hall, 643 Washington St., Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no holidays). To order through mail, send a check to 643 Washington St., 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
Cape May Point
Required: June 17 through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $35; Weekly – $25; Daily – $10; 11 and under, active military and immediate family, and veterans – free.
Lifeguards: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking: Free street parking is available throughout the Borough.
Restrooms: Restrooms are available within walking distance of the beaches, and at Cape May Point Municipal Building, 215 Lighthouse Ave., and Cape May Point State Park.
Where to Purchase: Purchase beach tags at the Cape May Point Municipal Building, 215 Lighthouse Ave., in the Beach Director’s Office, daily 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (no holidays). All tags can be purchased on the beach from any Beach Tag Inspector beginning June 17.
More Information: www.capemaypoint.org, (609) 884-8468 ext. 22
Ocean City
Required: June 3 through Sept. 4
Fees: Seasonal – $25; Weekly – $10; Daily – $5; 11 and under, active military and immediate family, and veterans – free.
Lifeguards: Weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Parking: Metered parking available (new parking meter mobile app – www.parkmobile.com); non-metered spaces available farther from the beach; municipal and metered lots also available.
Restrooms: 1st Street; 6th Street; Music Pier; 11th Street; 12th Street; 34th Street Playground; 58th Street Beach. All bathrooms are handicapped accessible. Family bathrooms are located at 1st and 12th streets.
Where to Purchase: Purchase in person at City Hall, 9th and Asbury, Monday through Thursday 8:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 8:45 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rt. 52 Welcome Center, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Henry Knight Building, 12th and Haven, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no holidays); or Aquatic & Fitness Center, 17th and Simpson, Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (no holidays).
More Information: www.ocnj.us, (609) 399-6111 ext. 9377
Sea Isle City
Required: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $25; Weekly – $10; Daily – $5; 11 and under, active military and immediate family, and veterans – free; Wednesdays are FREE, except on July 4.
Lifeguards: Weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends 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 City Hall, 233 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 2nd Floor, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no holidays), or by mail, at a seasonal rate of $200 or weekly rate of $30.
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 Blvd. and is open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In July and August, the office is closed on Wednesdays. Seasonal beach tags are also available at the City Hall Tax Office, 233 JFK Blvd., 2nd Floor, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no holidays). Purchase beach tags via mobile app at www.viplypass.com/sea-isle-city (fees apply).
More Information: www.visitsicnj.com, (609) 263-8687 ext. 106
Stone Harbor
Required: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: Seasonal – $28; Weekly – $12; Daily – $6; 11 and under, active military and immediate family, and veterans – free. Tags also honored on Avalon beaches.
Lifeguards: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking: Metered parking available; three-hour meters on designated streets; four-hour meters at two lots on the north side of 96th Street, west of Third Avenue, and one lot between Second and Third avenues and Borough Hall; parking permits are available in the Borough Clerk’s Office, 9508 Second Ave., 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: Beach tags may be purchased at 95th Street Beach Tag Office, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or from Borough Hall, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free veterans and active military tags can also be picked up at the Beach Tag Office with proper documentation. Purchase beach tags via mobile app at www.viplypass.com/stone-harbor-beach-tags (fees apply).
More Information: www.stoneharbornj.org, (609) 368-6805
The 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.