Longport delivers what might be the Jersey Shore's most unexpected value proposition: upscale residential atmosphere with the state's cheapest daily beach badge at just $5. Season passes run $35 ($20 before June 6), seniors pay $15, and veterans and military get in free. These are not discount beaches—Longport is affluent and maintains pristine sand—but the town has chosen accessibility over exclusivity in its pricing.
The geography explains the character. Longport occupies the southern tip of Absecon Island, where the inlet separates it from Ocean City. This endpoint location means no through-traffic—only people who specifically came to Longport arrive here. The result is uncrowded beaches that feel private even on July weekends. Lifeguards patrol through summer, and the lack of commercial development (no boardwalk, minimal shops) keeps the day-tripper population low.
The inlet views at Longport's southern end create the area's best fishing and sunset-watching combination. Striped bass run the inlet, and the jetty produces catches through season. Sunset photographers work the inlet angle where Delaware Bay meets Atlantic Ocean, creating color shows that Atlantic City's casino towers can't match.
The dog beach on the bay side operates year-round—a rarity on the Jersey Shore where most towns ban dogs entirely during summer. Dog owners drive here from Margate, Ventnor, and even Atlantic City specifically for bayside access. The calm bay waters also suit families with young children who prefer gentle waves to ocean surf.
Dining in Longport itself is limited to Johnny's Cafe for breakfast and lunch—a local institution with diner fare and loyal regulars. Serious dining means driving 5 minutes north to Margate for Steve & Cookie's (upscale) or Tomatoes (casual Italian), or crossing the bridge to Ocean City for boardwalk variety. Figure $15-25 for Margate casual dining, $60-80 for Steve & Cookie's.
Parking is free but limited—arrive before 10am on summer weekends or plan to circle. Street parking fills the residential blocks, and there are no public lots.
Longport works best for budget-conscious beach-goers who want upscale atmosphere without upscale badge prices, dog owners seeking year-round bay access, inlet fishermen working the jetty, and anyone who appreciates that the shore's southern tips offer the best combination of solitude and sunset. Skip Longport if you want walkable dining or evening entertainment—cross to Ocean City for that. But for the Jersey Shore town that combined $5 beaches with million-dollar homes, Longport figured out how to be both accessible and exclusive.