Frequently Asked Questions

Summer is here!! The streets are buzzing, local businesses are open, and beachgoers from across the region are heading to the sand in search of sun, salt air, and sea.

Before you hit the shore, there’s one thing we want to say clearly: please only swim when a lifeguard is on duty. This season has already brought heartbreaking news with several drowning deaths have occurred along the Jersey Shore, including on LBI. The ocean is powerful and conditions can change without warning. No swim is worth the risk when guards aren’t present. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or you’ve been coming to this island for decades, please make swim safety your first priority.

We’ve updated all the details below: guarded beach locations, lifeguard hours, public restrooms, and beach badge requirements for 2026, so you can enjoy every single day at the shore feeling prepared, informed, and safe.

— Barnegat Light

• Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 20th, then Daily from 10AM – 5PM

• 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

• Beach Badges: Required on all Barnegat Light beaches for all beach patrons 12 years and older.

• Where to Purchase: Beach Badge Booth or on the beach from a Badge Check (no app or online option at this time).

• More Info (including information on Beach Badges, Beach Wheels, Beach Tram, and Dog Policy)

— Beach Haven

• Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 27th, then Daily from 10 AM – 5 PM

• Guarded Streets: 12th, Taylor, 5th, 2nd, Centre, Engleside, Pearl, Belvoir, Essex, Liberty, Kentford

• Public Restrooms: Centre St. Beach Patrol building, at the beach entrance, and also located a few blocks from the beach at Veterans Park (on Amber St.) and at the Nelson Ave. playground (on Nelson Ave.).

• Beach Badges: Badges required everyday, except Wednesday, during the season. Badges are also required on all Beach Haven beaches for all beach patrons 12 years and older. Can purchase a physical badge in person or a digital badge via the My Beach Mobile App (refer to the Beach Haven page for more info).
  
  
• 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. Do not block beach entrances and life guard stands with your beach setup. Borough Beach Patrol staff will be monitoring this closely.

• More Info (including parking, beach taxi, beach mats, and more) and Visit the BH Beach Patrol Page for Beach Badge info.

— Harvey Cedars

• Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 20th, then Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM

• 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)

• Beach Badges: Badges are required on all Harvey Cedars beaches beginning June 15th for anyone 12 years of age or older. Can purchase a physical badge in person or a digital badge via the My Beach Mobile App (refer to the Beach Haven page for more info).

• More Info (including post-season schedule) or Click Here for Beach Badge information.

— Long Beach Township

• Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 20th, then Daily from 10 AM – 5 PM

• Guarded Streets: Please note general locations of the lifeguard stands can vary per beach due to ocean conditions, so make sure to check the LBT website as guarded locations will be updated daily on the home page.

  • 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)

• Beach Badges: Badges are required on all LBT beaches for anyone 12 years of age or older. Can purchase a physical badge in person or a digital badge via the My Beach Mobile App (refer to the LBT page for more info).

• Click for more information in LBT: Guarded Beaches, Beach Wheels, Beach Regulations, Bathroom Facilities, Beach Badges

— Ship Bottom

• Lifeguards on duty: Full time schedule begins June 20th, then daily from 10 AM – 6 PM

• 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)

• Beach Badges: Badges are required on all Ship Bottom beaches for anyone 13 years of age or older. Can purchase a physical badge in person or a digital badge (refer to the Ship Bottom page for more info).

• More Info (Beach Badges) and More Info (Beach Patrol)

— Surf City

• Lifeguards on duty: Check Surf City Site for Full Time start date, then daily from 10 AM – 5 PM

• 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

• Beach Badges: Badges are required on all Surf City beaches for anyone 12 years of age or older. Can purchase a in person only (refer to the Surf City page for more info).

• More Info (including beach badges, regulations, fishing, surfing, boat ramp, beach wheels, gator program, and more) and Click Here for Beach Patrol info.

🚩 Reminders for All LBI Beaches

• Only swim when lifeguards are present! We cannot say this enough… the ocean is unpredictable, and every LBI lifeguard is trained to protect you. If the stand is empty, please stay out of the water.

• 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 2026 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 2026 summer on LBI!