LBI holds a long history of family-friendly summer fun! You can visit Long Beach Island beaches for a safe and convenient environment. If you’re new to LBI and not sure where to start, use the information in this article to help plan your trip and navigate your way to LBI’s great beaches.
Best Long Beach Island Beaches
Long Beach Island has approximately 18 miles of beautiful beaches spread out across different municipalities. There are six boroughs in LBI and the rules can change from town to town.
Learn the Rules for your Beach Town
Each Long Beach Island municipality has its own beach badge that’s required for access to the Long Beach Island beaches. The beach badge rates and ages depend on which part of the island you’re visiting.
Beach Badge Checkers frequently approach beach goers during peak season, and if you don’t have them, you’ll be expected to pay in cash. They are generally $5 per day per person, and discounts are available for senior citizens. Many hotels in LBI provide guests with beach badges for free, but some do not.
Check online for rates and information before heading to Long Beach Island beaches:
When and Where the Lifeguards Are
It’s wise to swim on beaches staffed with LBI trained lifeguards, with safe swimming areas marked in between flags in front of lifeguard stands. Other parts of the Jersey Shore are set up differently, but this how Long Beach Island beaches are operated. Though the water may look calm and beautiful, there are frequent rip tides (fast moving currents) that can be dangerous. It is essential to always follow the rules by swimming near a lifeguard during hours when the beaches are guarded.
When and Where the Lifeguards Are
Nearby bathrooms are a major plus, especially if you’re taking kids! A handful of Long Beach Island beaches have nearby public bathrooms, but most people take a bathroom break and walk back to their beach house or hotel room. As a visitor, consider staying at a beachfront hotel on Long Beach Island for quick access to restrooms and also the belongings in your room.
Plan your Beach Day with Kids
Are you getting ready for a family vacation in Long Beach Island beaches and taking the kids along? LBI is a perfect location for family-friendly fun in the sun. To make things easier on yourself, you should plan to avoid the densest crowds and make a packing list ahead of time.
Avoid the biggest crowds
As the population of the Island explodes in the summer time, keep the crowds and rush hour in mind. When traveling with kids, it’s hectic keeping an eye on them when there are other bodies all over the place.
If you prefer Long Beach Island beaches that are less overcrowded, follow these tips:
- Avoid beaches near large parking lots
- Steer clear of public bathrooms where people flock
- Sit further back from the lifeguard stands instead of directly up front
- Go during the week instead of the weekend
- Visit early or late in the season instead of right at the peak
- Head for the northern sections like Beach Haven Gardens or Loveladies
- Choose a beach right near your hotel- mostly other guests will gather there
What to pack
Do you know what you need to pack for your trip to Long Beach Island Beaches? If you’re staying at an oceanfront hotel in LBI, that’s the best scenario because you’ll only be steps away from your room. As always, when you’re packing for a family you should expect to lug a whole bunch of stuff. Take a wagon so you can easily transport your towels, chairs, lunches, and even your kids when they get tired of walking.
Here’s a packing list to get you started:
- Sunscreen
- Beach towels
- Beach umbrella
- Folding chairs
- Cold water bottles
- Snacks and/or lunch
- Cash for ice cream or pizza
- Sand toys
- Skim boards or body boards
- Beach badges
- Sun glasses
Keep Busy at Long Beach Island Beaches
Maybe you’re not the type to sit on the beach with a book. If your reason for visiting Long Beach Island beaches is to keep busy with summertime hobbies, you’re in good shape! Whether you enjoy the rush of surfing or the calmness of fishing, Long Beach Island beaches the right spots.
Beaches for Surfers
Surfing is allowed on designated Long Beach Island beaches, depending on the municipality. Long Beach Township and Beach Haven post information for surfing beaches on their websites. In Beach Haven, surfing is allowed on nearly every beach with surfing areas identified by black and white checkered flags. Boogie Boarders are welcome to swim in between the lifeguard flags, but any boards with fins (Beater Boards, etc.) must follow the rules of the surfers and use these strictly in designated areas. The same goes for kayaks and stand up paddle boards.
Beaches for Fishing
Surf casting is allowed on Long Beach Island beaches outside of designated swimming areas. Bait and tackle shops are all over the Island and local fishing reports give tips for the best spots. If fishing on the beach in an area that is shared by surfers, it is common courtesy to pull fishing lines in while surfers are in the same waters. There are also recycle containers located on the beaches specifically for fishing line and hooks, to help keep Long Beach Island beaches safe and clean! Besides the ocean, there are many more places to fish on the bayside in LBI.
Enjoy Beach Days in LBI
No matter what beach you visit or what your favorite beach activities might be, you’re going to have the best beach days soaking up the sun on LBI. Get that fun, sun, and relaxation you’ve been waiting for at these beautiful Long Beach Island beaches!
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