OCEAN COUNTY – Although the calendar may say September, that doesn’t mean summer is over. Especially for Ocean County residents.
For many locals, their summer starts now. Many ocean beaches will close after Labor Day, but several will be open for the next several weeks. Even a few will be open for the rest of the month.
For example, Ortley Beach in Toms River will be open through Sept. 27, Mayor Maurice B. Hill said.
“With some schools starting remote learning next week and many parents continuing to work from home, the Township Council and I decided that it would make sense to keep our beaches open through September 27,” Hill said recently. “We hope our residents and visitors will take advantage of our beaches and enjoy some beautiful September weather.”
Children 12 or under and local (Toms River or Ortley Beach) and seniors 62 and over do not need a beach badge. For anyone else that wants to get onto a lifeguard protected beach, badges must be worn at all times, visible on the front of the bathing suit.
Toms River lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The beach is open access at any other time.
Island Beach State Park – There are close to 10 miles of sandy beaches on this preserved barrier island next to South Seaside Park. For New Jersey residents, the cost per carload on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. is $10. The cost on weekdays is $6, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Sept. 8 through Sept. 30, the park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, go to state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html.
Brick Township – Open through Labor Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Daily wristbands are $8, seasonal bands are $30. Seniors must wear a free daily wristband.
Seaside Heights – Ocean beaches, which includes lifeguards, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day. Daily beach badges are $8. Weekly badges (Sunday through Saturday) are $35. Beaches close to all activities at 7 p.m.
Admission to beaches after 4 p.m. is limited to season beach badge holders and guests who purchased a daily wristband before 4 p.m. Beaches will be cleared at 7 p.m. and dune crossover gates will be locked.
For more information about Seaside Heights beaches, go to seasideheightsnjonline.com/Beach.htm.
Seaside Park – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beaches will be open through September.
Lavallette – The borough has nine protected beaches. The hours are 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 pm. on weekends. The cost of a daily beach badge is $12. Seasonal badges are $50. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. The borough will only allow 400 people on ocean beaches at any given time, for social distancing. The public may enter the ocean and swim at protected areas only when lifeguards are present. For more information about Lavallette beaches, go to lavallette.org/beach/badges.html
Barnegat Light – Lifeguards will be on duty through Labor Day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily badges for ages 12 and up are $5. Weekly badges are $22. The guarded beaches include 8th and 9th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, 27th and 30th Streets.
Beach Haven – Badges are only needed for those 13 to 64, from June through Labor Day. Seasonal badges for others are $40 per season and $20 weekly. The cost for a daily badge is $5. Badges are free for veterans and those 65 and older. The list of guarded beaches include 12th Street, Taylor Avenue, 5th Street, 2nd Street, Engleside Avenue, Belvoir Street, between Liberty and Pelham Avenue and Kentford and Leeward Avenue.
Long Beach Township – For more information on beach badges in Long Beach Township, visit lbtbp.com/beach-badges/ Beaches are open through Sept. 7.
- Loveladies: tract 153(Dolphin), tract 141(Seaview), Coast Av., tract 99(Harbor North), tract 85, tract 53(Harbor South),
- North Beach: tract 1199(Green), tract 1087(Flamingo) tract 1065(pumphouse) tract 1049, tract 1023, tract 1005
- Brant Beach: 32nd St.,36th St., 40th St., 44th St., 48th St., 52nd St., 55th St., 58th St., 62nd St., 66th St., 68th St., 68th St.(bay beach)
- Beach Haven Crest: 70th St., 75th St., 78th St., 82th St., 86th St., 91st St., 95th St., 100th St., 104th St., 110th St., 114th St.
- Spray Beach: Colorado Av. (118th), Ramp Av.(122nd), Dune Av.(127th), Pennsylvania Av. (131st), & Bay Beach (131st), 33rd St., 29th St.,25th St., 21st St., 17th St., 14th St.
- Holgate: Osborne Av., Marshall Av., Susan Av., Rosemma Av., Scott Dr., Chatham Av., Jacqueline Av., Harding Av., Washington Av.
Harvey Cedars – Daily badges are $7, weekly badges are $20, seasonal are $40. Guarded beaches include 86th, 83rd, 80th, 77th, 73rd, 69th Streets, Middlesex Ave., Atlantic Ave., Hudson Ave, Cape May Ave, 5417 Blvd. easement (aka Cumberland), Bergen Ave South, & Bay Beach at West 75th Street.
Ship Bottom – Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily badges are $10, weekly are $25 and seasonal are $45. Roughly every other beach from 4th Street to 25th Street is guarded. Badges are needed from June 20 through Labor Day.
Surf City – Badges must be worn by those from 12 to 64. Children 11 and under and seniors over 65 do not have to wear a badge. Weekly badges are $20, daily badges are $8 and seasonal are $45. Beaches are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on Surf City tourism and beach badges, call 609-494-3064 or visit surfcitynj.org or visitsurfcitylbi.com
Please remember that surf conditions in September are a little more volatile that during the summer. Be sure to check weather reports before you head to the beach.
