THE ULTIMATE LBI BUYER’S GUIDE
Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Home on Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island Beaches: Your Ultimate Guide
Long Beach Island (LBI), New Jersey, is home to some of the best beaches on the East Coast, known for their soft "sugar sand" and stunning coastline. With 18 miles of lifeguarded public beaches, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re relaxing, swimming, or taking a scenic stroll.
Beach badges are required in-season (mid-June to Labor Day) and are town-specific, so make sure to purchase one for your area. Long Beach Township offers excellent value, covering 12 miles across multiple sections. Preseason discounts are available until late June, while offseason visits (Labor Day to mid-June) don’t require badges.
Whether you visit during the bustling summer or the peaceful offseason, LBI’s beaches offer unforgettable experiences.
Beach Haven Beaches
Beach Haven's beach experience will vary depending on what area of the town you visit. The center of Beach Haven is dotted with hotels making for a slightly more crowded beach experience. The crowds are well planned for with additional lifeguards and swimming areas. The south end of Beach Haven is much less crowded, and the beaches reflect this lower density with more open space. All beaches are lifeguarded; however, there are no public bay beaches in Beach Haven.
Ship Bottom Beaches
Ship Bottom has some of the most crowded beaches on LBI, thanks to Ship Bottom being the entry point to Long Beach Island. Ship Bottom offers fun and excitement on the lifeguarded beaches; however, parking can be a problem, thanks to the higher number of day-trippers who visit Ship Bottom.
Surf City Beaches
Surf City was the first town to undergo beach replenishment, making the beaches here very wide! Due to errors made during the replenishment process, World War I & II-era munitions were accidentally deposited on the beaches. The sand was checked and re-checked to make sure the munitions were removed. Surf City's beaches are wide and enjoyable, with plenty of room to spread out! All beaches are guarded, and bay beaches are available.
Harvey Cedars Beaches
Harvey Cedars, which underwent an extensive beach replenishment, has wide beaches and beautiful dune vistas. The beaches are lifeguarded and generally are not crowded. Harvey Cedars has a bay beach and playground like many of the other areas of LBI.
Long Beach Township Beaches
Long Beach Township is the largest town on LBI, covering roughly 12 miles of LBI's beaches. The beach experience will be different depending on what town you visit. The north-end areas of Long Beach Township (Loveladies and North Beach) offer semi-private beaches with a very low density of beach patrons. The center of Long Beach Township (Brant Beach to North Beach Haven) offers more public beaches with free parking on any street. At the very South end of LBI, Holgate is again a lower density beach and opens to the Edwin Forsyth Wildlife Refuge, which, when open, is undeveloped and un-guarded. There are several lifeguarded bay beaches for the little ones!
Barnegat Light Beaches
Barnegat Light's beaches are unique among those of Long Beach Island. Here you will find the broadest natural beaches lush with vegetated dunes. The bathing beaches are wide and offer spectacular views of the Barnegat Lighthouse. There is a bay beach available for use as well.