Most NJ municipal beaches require beach tags Memorial Day through Labor Day. Here's what they cost, who's exempt, and where to skip them.
Most NJ municipal beaches require beach tags from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Daily tags run $8-12 typically. Season passes $60-100. State park beaches (Sandy Hook, IBSP) charge parking only — no tags needed. Wildwood has free beaches.
Tested across NJ shore tag enforcement — Belmar strict, Cape May strict, Wildwood free, Sandy Hook parking-only, Atlantic City parts free, Spring Lake $12/day. Prices and rules update annually; confirm before driving out.
Total kit cost
Daily $0–$12 · Season $0–$100
Pick what you need below. Every link is Prime-eligible where possible — most arrive before the weekend.
CGEAR
Standard NJ beach kit when paying for tags. WildHorn sand-free blanket lasts 5+ summers.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — Belmar tagged beach
Coleman
Wildwood beaches are free. Use the savings on a real cooler. Igloo 60-Quart Wheeled.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — Wildwood free family beach
Bonnlo
Sandy Hook charges parking only ($20/day). Use savings on big-wheel wagon for soft-sand walk-in.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — Sandy Hook North Beach walk-in
PENN
IBSP charges parking only ($10-15). 9-foot Penn Prevail II for surf-fishing the 9-mile beach.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — IBSP dawn surf-fishing
Most NJ towns offer senior beach tag discounts (typically 50% off, sometimes free for 70+). Bradley Beach is free for over-62. Check your town.
Most NJ towns waive beach tag fees for kids under 12. Belmar is free for under 16. Cape May for under 12. Worth checking before paying.
Belmar, Spring Lake, Bay Head, Cape May enforce strictly. Bradley Beach, Avon less strict. Wildwood doesn't require tags. Atlantic City parts of beach are free.
Most NJ towns sell tags online (jerseybadges.com or town websites). Saves the booth-line wait Saturday morning. Highly recommended for Memorial Day weekend.
Seasonal deals on the gear we test on the shore.
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Daily $8-12 typical. Weekly $30-50. Season pass $60-100. Belmar daily $12, season $80. Cape May daily $10, season $90. Spring Lake daily $12, season $100. Most towns sell online ahead of time.
Wildwood (the city, not Wildwood Crest) — completely free. Atlantic City portions of the beach are free. State parks (Sandy Hook, IBSP) charge parking but no tags. Cape May Cove (state park) is free with parking.
No — boardwalks are free. Beach tags only required to be ON the beach (sand). Boardwalk, restaurants, shops are tag-free.
Yes typically. Some towns will replace for $5-10 if you have proof of purchase. Best to clip the tag to your beach bag with a carabiner.
Standard beach setup.
Read more →Starter kitFamily-sized version.
Read more →Starter kitOpening weekend gear.
Read more →BeachesFree NJ municipal beach.
Read more →BeachesParking-only state park beach.
Read more →BeachesStrict-enforcement premium beach.
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