In the summer of 2024, there will be changes in the way badges and entry passes for many towns are purchased. Check out what new changes are happening in your favorite beach towns along the Jersey Shore. So, how much will it cost this year to get a beach access pass? Below is the 2024 Beach Fee Guide provided by Patch Media.
Many towns plan to open beaches for Memorial Day weekend, but until mid-June, they will only be open on weekends. Many towns are still hiring summer staff, including lifeguards. Filling positions has been difficult in past summers, so it’s best to check with local towns before heading to the beach to ensure accurate opening information.
Towns that have been using the Viply app to sell beach passes will not be able to use the app in 2024 as the company has ceased operations. Please inquire with each town for the latest information.
It is reminded that most towns and beaches have regulations regarding tents, coolers, bringing other items, playing sports, music, and so on. Several towns made updates in 2024. In Brick and North Wildwood, due to space issues caused by beach erosion, tents are prohibited on the beach this summer. The state Department of Environmental Protection announced that due to safety concerns, Island Beach State Park also prohibits the use of tents and canopies.
Due to issues in the past few summers, some towns have implemented curfews for teenagers. As of May 2, North Wildwood has a curfew in effect; Seaside Heights implemented a curfew in the summer of 2023, and Toms River has had temporary curfews in the past three summers.
It is also important to note that although recreational marijuana consumption for adults is legal, smoking marijuana on New Jersey beaches is illegal. In 2018, smoking in any form was banned on beaches.
Below is the 2024 list of town, beach, and beach fees as of May 3.
Gateway Recreation Area Sandy Hook: Beach access for leisure activities is available for walking and running, but lifeguards are not on duty until Memorial Day weekend. The daily parking fee at the beach is $20 per car, and the seasonal parking pass is $100. The National Park Service only accepts credit card payments.
The seasonal pass is valid from May 25, 2024, to September 2, 2024. Active-duty and retired military personnel with an America the Beautiful annual pass can park for free at Gateway Beach. Proof of active-duty military status with a photo ID must be presented to verify pass holder’s identity, and the license plate issued with the annual pass must be displayed at all times. Parking fee for oversized vehicles (over 20 feet) is $50 per day or $200 per season. Beach parking season passes can be purchased online or at the Sandy Hook beach entrance. To purchase passes online, visit www.recreation.gov and search for Sandy Hook beach parking.
Sandy Hook Beach prohibits the following actions: no alcohol or smoking; no tents or shades (baby tents are allowed only in the presence of a baby or toddler); no grilling or fires; no group gatherings (including group picnics); no sports; no use of glass containers; no coolers larger than 24 quarts; no dogs and kites (dogs on leashes are allowed on the bay side of the beach from March 15 to September 15); no entry into areas fenced off with symbolic fences; no climbing rocks or gullies; no entry into sand dunes (except designated dune crossovers).
The Sea Bright Municipal Beach and Anchorage Beach will be open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Seasonal beach badges are $100, daily badges for ages 12 and over are $8 per person. Seasonal entry passes for seniors aged 65 and over and disabled individuals are $35. Children under 12 are free, as well as active-duty military personnel and their families.
There are seven free public beach entrances on Ocean Avenue, which lead to the public usage area in front of private beach clubs, considered unguarded municipal beaches. These beaches do not have lifeguards and are governed by Chapter 66 of the Code of Sea Bright.
Parking spaces at municipal parking lots are limited and payment can be made using the Pay2Park app. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, the curfew hours in the area are from 11 pm to 6 am.
Monmouth Beach: Seasonal beach pass prices are divided into member and non-member categories, as well as resident and non-resident categories. For members who only want to use the beach, the seasonal pass is $100 (plus membership fee). Members can also choose to use the swimming pool. For non-members, the seasonal pass price for visitors aged 12 and over who want to use the beach is $100, and the daily pass price is $12. Purchases are made through the community pass system. The seasonal parking pass is $65. There is no curfew but there are beach ordinances applicable to everyone.
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