Long Beach Island Travel Guide
Six towns, 18 miles of beach, one lighthouse — how to do LBI right.
- Island length18 miles
- Towns6
- Daily badges$10–$12
LBI Towns, North to South
| Town | Daily badge | Vibe | Family rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnegat Light | $10 | Authentic Fishing Village | 4/5 |
| Loveladies | $10 | Modern Luxury | 3/5 |
| Harvey Cedars | $12 | Quiet & Upscale | 5/5 |
| Surf City | $10 | Surf Town | 4/5 |
| Ship Bottom | $10 | Central Hub | 4/5 |
| Beach Haven | $10 | Island Entertainment Hub | 5/5 |
Each town's page has beaches, dining, badge details, and parking: Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Surf City, Ship Bottom, and Beach Haven.
The LBI Essentials
Climb Old Barney
Barnegat Lighthouse (172 ft, 1859) anchors the island's north tip inside a state park — the climb earns the best view on the island.
Lighthouse guide →Fantasy Island Nights
Beach Haven's amusement park is the island's family evening ritual — rides, games, and ice cream in walking distance of the bay.
Beach Haven things to do →Fish the Island
LBI runs a full charter fleet out of Barnegat Light plus surf fishing along all 18 miles — striped bass in fall is the island's signature bite.
LBI fishing charters →Where to Stay on LBI
LBI is a rental island — weekly houses dominate, with a handful of boutique hotels and motels. Book spring for summer weeks; Saturday-to-Saturday is the standard changeover.
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Long Beach Island FAQs
What towns are on Long Beach Island?
From north to south: Barnegat Light, Loveladies, Harvey Cedars, Surf City, Ship Bottom (where the causeway lands), and Beach Haven, with sections of Long Beach Township in between. Barnegat Light and Harvey Cedars are the quiet ends; Beach Haven is the activity hub with Fantasy Island and the biggest dining scene.
Do you need a beach badge on LBI?
Yes — every LBI town requires a beach badge in summer, and each municipality sells its own (a Surf City badge doesn't work in Beach Haven). Daily badges run $10–$12 in 2026; season badges are the better buy for stays of a week or more. Children's cutoffs vary by town — see each town's page for exact prices.
What is there to do on Long Beach Island?
Climb Barnegat Lighthouse at the north end, ride at Fantasy Island amusement park in Beach Haven, watch the sunset over the bay at Harvey Cedars' Sunset Park, surf or paddle the ocean beaches, crab and kayak Barnegat Bay, and fish — LBI supports a full charter fleet plus surf fishing along the entire oceanfront.
Which LBI town is best for families?
Beach Haven is the classic family base: bay beaches with calm water for little kids, Fantasy Island rides at night, and everything walkable. Surf City and Ship Bottom offer quieter beaches with easy access. The northern towns (Barnegat Light, Loveladies, Harvey Cedars) suit families who want the beach and not much else.
How do you get to Long Beach Island?
One way on, one way off: the Route 72 causeway from Manahawkin lands in Ship Bottom, mid-island. From there a single main road (Long Beach Boulevard) runs the island's length. Plan around summer Saturday changeover traffic, which backs up the causeway late morning.