A trip to the Jersey Shore in 2026 could cost beachgoers anywhere from nothing at all to more than $130 per person before they even put a chair in the sand. Season badge prices across New Jersey’s coastline continue to vary dramatically from town to town, with some Monmouth County beaches now charging more than $100 for summer access while several South Jersey destinations still offer free admission.
For families planning Shore vacations, the difference between beaches can add up fast — especially for households buying multiple seasonal badges.
Update: Some 2026 prices have been updated to reflect current pricing.
North Jersey Shore Leads the State in High Prices
The most expensive beach badges in New Jersey are concentrated along the northern Shore region, particularly in Monmouth County.
Point Pleasant Beach currently tops the list with Jenkinson’s seasonal beach pass priced at $130, making it the highest-known seasonal beach badge on the Jersey Shore for 2026.
Several nearby beach towns are not far behind.
Sea Girt charges about $115 for a seasonal badge, while Spring Lake sits near $110. Ocean Grove’s seasonal badge costs roughly $105, and Sea Bright reaches around $100.
Other high-priced North Jersey beach towns include:
- Bradley Beach — $90
- Manasquan — $90
- Belmar — $80
- Asbury Park — $70
- Long Branch — $70
Beach towns in this stretch have increasingly leaned on badge revenue to support beach replenishment, staffing, maintenance, and seasonal operations as tourism demand continues rising.
Top 10 Most Expensive Beaches (2026)
- Point Pleasant Beach (Jenkinson’s) – $130
- Sea Girt – $115
- Spring Lake – $110
- Ocean Grove – $105
- Sea Bright – $100
- Bradley Beach – $90
- Manasquan – $90
- Belmar – $80
- Seaside Heights – $75
- Asbury Park / Long Branch – $70
Key Points
• Point Pleasant Beach has New Jersey’s highest-known seasonal badge price at $130
• South Jersey beaches remain significantly cheaper overall, with several free options
• Families can save hundreds by choosing lower-cost or free Shore destinations
Central Jersey Shore Prices Swing Widely
The central Shore region has some of the biggest price gaps in the state.
While Point Pleasant Beach carries the highest seasonal cost overall, nearby towns remain far cheaper.
Brick Township’s ocean beaches generally range from about $30 to $45 for seasonal access, while Ortley Beach in Toms River falls around $50 to $65 depending on timing and purchase options.
Top 10 Cheapest Paid Beaches
- Brigantine – $20–$25
- Sea Isle City – $25–$30
- Cape May – ~$30 preseason
- Ocean City – $30–$40
- Brick – $30–$45
- Avalon – $37–$42
- Stone Harbor – $37–$42
- Long Beach Township – $40–$50
- Beach Haven – $40–$50
- Toms River (Ortley Beach) – $50–$65
Lavallette seasonal badges typically cost between $60 and $65, while Seaside Park ranges around $65 to $70. Seaside Heights seasonal passes currently sit near $75.
The area creates one of the sharpest contrasts on the Jersey Shore — where beachgoers can drive a few miles and see prices swing by nearly $100.
Long Beach Island Offers Better Mid-Range Value
Compared to northern beach towns, Long Beach Island remains relatively moderate in price.
Long Beach Township and Beach Haven both generally fall between $40 and $50 for seasonal badges, making LBI noticeably cheaper than much of Monmouth County while still offering premium beach access.
The island continues to attract families looking for a balance between Shore amenities and more manageable seasonal costs.
South Jersey Delivers the Best Deals
South Jersey remains the strongest value region for paid beach access in New Jersey.
Brigantine currently offers some of the cheapest seasonal badge pricing in the state at roughly $20 to $25. Sea Isle City remains relatively affordable at about $25 to $30, while Ocean City seasonal tags generally range from $30 to $40.
Cape May preseason badges hover near $30, while Avalon and Stone Harbor typically fall between $37 and $42.
The region also contains New Jersey’s largest concentration of completely free beaches.
Free Beaches in New Jersey for 2026
Several Jersey Shore destinations continue allowing beach access without any badge requirement:
- Wildwood
- Wildwood Crest
- North Wildwood
- Atlantic City
- Keansburg Beach
- Ideal Beach (Middletown)
- Leonardo Beach (Middletown)
- Union Beach
- William Morrow Beach (Somers Point)
- Higbee Beach (Cape May)
- Bay Front Park (Forked River)
The Wildwoods remain especially popular because visitors can access wide stretches of beach without purchasing tags, a rarity along much of the East Coast.
A Family Beach Trip Can Add Up Fast
For larger families, badge prices can dramatically impact summer vacation costs.
A family of four purchasing seasonal badges at Point Pleasant Beach could spend more than $500 before paying for parking, food, rentals, or accommodations.
The same family could spend less than $100 total for seasonal access in Brigantine — or nothing at all in Wildwood or Atlantic City.
Daily beach passes remain fairly consistent statewide, typically ranging between $10 and $13 per person depending on the municipality.
Still, frequent beachgoers often opt for seasonal badges to offset repeated daily admission costs throughout the summer.
Why Prices Keep Rising
Most Jersey Shore towns use beach badge revenue to fund seasonal operations including:
- Lifeguards
- Beach maintenance
- Dune protection
- Sand replenishment
- Public safety staffing
- Bathroom and boardwalk upkeep
Coastal towns have also faced rising expenses tied to erosion control, storm recovery projects, and infrastructure improvements following years of severe weather impacts along the Shore.
As a result, many municipalities continue adjusting badge prices upward to offset operating costs.
What Beachgoers Should Know Before Summer
Preseason discounts remain one of the easiest ways to save money, as many towns increase prices once Memorial Day weekend arrives.
Beach badge policies also vary widely between municipalities, including age exemptions, parking fees, and requirements for weekend or holiday access.
For budget-conscious visitors, South Jersey and free-access beaches remain the best overall value heading into the 2026 summer season.