Frequently Asked Questions

Our 2025 Holiday Business List is LIVE!

Shop Small on Long Beach Island this Holiday Season!

Check out our list of open businesses on LBI (below) for more information on their seasonal and year round statuses! We will be updating this list, so be sure to check back for updates (Last updated 12/5 at 12pm)!

Have a correction or want to add to our list?

Email us! We will be publishing this list in The Sandpaper for the next few weeks and we want to include as many correct business listings as possible!

Fall 2025 Events We're Looking Forward To!

Looking for a reason to plan a visit to Long Beach Island to enjoy the coveted “local summer”? Check out our newest Calendar Update, as 2026 will be here before we know it!

Featured FALL Events Coming Up on Long Beach Island:

Note: This is not a complete list of the event happening on LBI from October of 2025. For more information visit, www.welcometolbi.com/events. Know about an event you don’t see? Share with us by email info@welcometolbi.com.

Beach Haven Chowder Cook Off | October 4th-5th

11th Annual LBI FLY Invitational Kite Fest | October 10th-11th

Shellabration | October 11th

53rd Annual LBI 18-Miler | October 12th

Halloween Fun Fest | October 10th, 12th & 18th

Trunk or Treat: Ship Bottom (10/24) & Surf City (10/25)

Harvest Hayride | October 25th

The Annual LBI FLY Kite Festival Returns for 2025!

Get ready, LBI! The sky will once again come alive with color and creativity this fall as the 11th Annual LBI FLY Invitational Kite Festival returns October 10–11, 2025! We can’t wait to welcome back world-class kite fliers and families from near and far for another unforgettable weekend on the beaches of Long Beach Island.

This year promises to be our most family-friendly festival yet, featuring new attractions, interactive activities, and a spectacular lineup of kite fliers from across the globe.

✨ Festival Dates & Locations

Friday, October 10
📍 Ship Bottom Beaches (18th–27th St)
🕛 12–5 PM

Saturday, October 11
📍 Ship Bottom Beaches (18th–27th St)
🕙 10 AM–4 PM

Saturday, October 11 – Night Fly
📍 68th St Beach, Long Beach Township
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
(Watch the kites light up the night sky!)

🌍 Who’s Flying This Year?

Our kite fliers are coming in from across the US and beyond — including Utah, Wisconsin, California, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, and even Germany!

We’re thrilled to welcome four special guest fliers for 2025:

Rolf Zimmermann (Germany)

Ron Gibian (California)

Scott Hampton (Utah)

Ken McNeil (South Carolina)

These talented artists and performers will wow you with intricate kite designs and interactive kite displays.

🎉 New & Exciting Features in 2025

This year, we’re introducing even more ways to experience the magic of kite flying:

Art Kite Field: Artists and kite makers will take their framed masterpieces to the skies.

Dual Line & Sport Kite Displays: Learn to Fly with Ken McNeil and Team.

Drum Box Kite Raffle & Art Kite Raffle: Take home a piece of the festival!

Ship Bottom Kite Unveiling: Be the first to see this year’s signature festival kite.

…and much more!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Activities

We’re proud to make this year’s festival the most engaging experience yet for families and kids:

Kids Kitemaking (create your own kite and take it home!)

Interactive Kids Kite Field

Bubble Blasts on the beach

Hands-on Kite Flying with handmade kites

Learn to Fly with Ken McNeil and Team — discover how to control dual line sport kites from the experts!

✨ Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

The LBI FLY Kite Festival is more than just a show in the sky — it’s a weekend full of community, art, and family fun. Whether you’re a lifelong LBI visitor or discovering the island for the first time, this is a unique experience you’ll never forget.

Mark your calendar, grab your family and friends, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend on the beach. We’ll see you October 10–11th, 2025!

Make sure you follow along to stay in-the-know with any updates or event details:

Follow our official LBI FLY social media on Instagram or Facebook

Bookmark the official LBI FLY website: www.lbifly.com

RSVP to our Facebook Event: Click Here

Want to feature your business with this unique opportunity? Become a SPONSOR for this year’s Kite Festival! We have curated sponsorship tiers so that businesses of all sizes can be a part of this wonderful event. Simply email our Sponsor Coordinator: info@lbifly.com

Interested in volunteering or want to inquire about flying a kite? Email out Kite Fest Coordinator: deb@lbifly.com

June 2025 Beach Update: Your Guide to LBI’s Beaches, Lifeguards & Public Facilities

Summer is officially in full swing on Long Beach Island! The streets are buzzing, local businesses are open, and beachgoers are heading to the sand in search of sun and sea. We’ve updated our most frequently asked questions about guarded beaches, public restrooms, and beach badge requirements for 2025 so you can hit the shore prepared.

🛟 Guarded Beaches & Lifeguard Hours by Town

Barnegat Light

Lifeguards on duty: Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM (through Labor Day)
Guarded Streets: 30th, 27th, 26th, 25th, 22nd, 21st, 19th, 17th, 15th, 14th, 12th, and 10th (25th Bay Beach is guarded for young families)
Public Restrooms: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, W 10th St at the Bay
More Info (including information on Beach Wheels, Beach Tram, and Dog Policy)

Beach Haven

Lifeguards on duty: Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM (through Labor Day)
Guarded Streets: 12th, Taylor, 5th, 2nd, Centre, Engleside, Pearl, Belvoir, Essex, Liberty, Kentford
Public Restrooms: Taylor Ave Bay Beach, Centre St, Dock Rd, Marine St, Nelson Ave Playground
Special Note about Beach Haven Beach Badges: Badges required everyday, except Wednesday, during the season
Attention from BH Beach Patrol: Tents are not allowed on Beach Haven beaches, per Borough code Chapter 55-9. Only 7ft. umbrellas, with an anchor, and 4ftx4ft baby tents are allowed.
More Info (including parking, beach taxi, beach mats, and more) and Visit the BH Beach Patrol Page

Harvey Cedars

Lifeguards on duty: Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM (through Sept. 1st)
Guarded Streets: 86th, 83rd, 80th, 77th, 73rd, 69th, Middlesex, Atlantic, Hudson (also surfing beach), Cape May, 5417 Blvd. (Cumberland), Bergen, Bay Beach at W 75th
Public Restrooms: Sunset Park, Borough Hall (75th St)
More Info (including post-season schedule)

Long Beach Township

Lifeguards on duty: Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM (through Labor Day)
Guarded Streets:
- Loveladies: Tract 153 (Dolphin), Tract 141 (Seaview), Coast Ave, Tract 99 (Harbor North), Tract 85, Tract 53 (Harbor South)
- North Beach: Tract 1119 (Green), Tract 1087 (Flamingo), Tract 1065 (Pump House), Track 1049, Tract 1023, Tract 1005
- Brant Beach: 32nd Street, 36th Street, 40th Street, 44th Street, 48th Street, 52nd Street, 55th Street, 58th Street, 62nd Street, 65th Street, 68th Street, Bay Beach – 68th Street
- Beach Haven Crest: 70th Street, 75th Street, 78th Street, 82nd Street, 86th Street, 91st Street, 96th Street, 100th Street, 104th Street, 110th Street, 114th Street
- Spray Beach: Colorado Ave (118th), Ramp Ave (122nd), Dune Ave (127th), Pennsylvania Ave (131st), 33rd Street, 29th Street, 25th Street, 21st Street, 17th Street, 14th Street, Bay Beach – Pennsylvania Ave (131st)
- Holgate: Osborne Ave, Marshall Ave, Susan Ave, Rosemma Ave, Scott Dr, Chatham Ave, Jacqueline Ave, Harding Ave, Washington Ave
Note: Swim between yellow flags only; surfing between blue flags
Public Restrooms: Holgate (at the south end parking lot of Long Beach Blvd at McKinley Ave), Bayview Park (68th Street, Brant Beach), 68th Street (Ocean Beach at Pavillion Ramp), 68th Street Pickleball Courts, Harbor South (Loveladies)
Click for more information in LBT: Guarded Beaches, Beach Wheels, Beach Regulations, Bathroom Facilities, Beach Badges

Ship Bottom

Lifeguards on duty: Daily, 10 AM – 6 PM (through Labor Day)
Guarded Streets: 3rd, 7th, 15th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, 30th, Bay (exact locations may shift based on beach conditions)
Public Restrooms: Municipal Building (17th & LBB), 10th St Boat Ramp, Bay Beach (13th–16th)
More Info (Beach Badges) and More Info (Beach Patrol)

Surf City

Lifeguards on duty: Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM (through Sept 1st)
Guarded Streets: South 2nd Street, Division, North 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, and 24th (subject to change based on conditions)
Public Restrooms: Behind Borough Hall (813 LBB), 16th St Bay Beach, Division St Boat Ramp
More Info (including beach regulations, fishing, surfing, boat ramp, beach wheels, gator program, and more)

🚩 Reminders for All LBI Beaches

Only swim when lifeguards are present! Conditions and staffing may affect availability.
Unsure about beach rules like flags, hole digging, surfing zones, etc.? Ask the lifeguards — they’re there to help!
Beach badges are required in all towns during the season. Read our 2025 Beach Badge Blog to learn how to get yours.

❓Need Help or Have Questions?

For lifeguard stand locations, restrooms, beach rules, or permits, please contact the township you’re staying in directly.
For general questions or to share a community event with us, email: info@welcometolbi.com

Here’s to a safe, sunny, and spectacular 2025 summer on LBI!
#WelcomeToLBI #LBI2025 #BeachReady

2025 LBI Beach Badge Information

Summer is calling — are you ready to answer? ☀️🏖️ If your plans include soaking up the sun on beautiful Long Beach Island, there’s one thing you’ll want to check off your list early: your beach badges! No stress — we’re here to walk you through everything you need to know to hit the sand with confidence.

🏷️ First Things First: What Kind of Badge Do You Need?

LBI offers a few options depending on how long you’re staying:

Daily Badges (perfect for a quick visit)
Weekly Badges (for those lucky enough to stay a little longer)
Seasonal Badges (for true beach lovers)
Senior Badges (special pricing for our seasoned beachgoers)

Badge prices and types vary slightly by town, so be sure to pick the right one for your stay!

📍 Six Towns, Six Sets of Badges

Remember: LBI isn’t just one beach — it’s six unique towns, each with their own beach badge system.
You’ll need to purchase your badge for the specific town where you’re staying or planning to spend most of your beach days.

Not sure which town you’ll be in? Send us an email at info@welcometolbi.com and we’ll point you in the right direction.

🛒 How (and Where) to Buy Your Badges

Here’s the important part: Don’t send your badge forms to us!
Each town handles their own sales, whether it’s in-person, by mail, or through a mobile app. Always follow the instructions listed by the town you’re purchasing from. (We’ve linked them for you below for easy access!)

Pro Tip: Snag your badges at pre-season prices — you’ll save a few bucks before rates go up for summer.

🎟️ 2025 Pre-Season Pricing & Purchase Info by Town:

Barnegat Light: $40 pre-season (through June 5th)
👉 Purchase info here
Beach Haven: $40 pre-season (through May 31st)
👉 Purchase info here
Harvey Cedars: $40 pre-season (through June 15th)
👉 Purchase info here
Long Beach Township: $40 pre-season (through June 15th)
👉 Purchase info here
Ship Bottom: $40 pre-season (through May 31st)
👉 Purchase info here
Surf City: $40 pre-season (through May 31st)
👉 Purchase info here