Every New Jersey native knows the feeling—you’ve barely settled into the sand when the badge checker appears. And while $7 to $12 doesn’t seem like much, the costs add up fast for families or anyone planning multiple trips down the shore this summer. The good news: not every beach in New Jersey charges admission. Here are 13 free beaches worth knowing about.
The Wildwoods Beaches – Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and North Wildwood
Perhaps the most family-friendly option on the list, all three of the Wildwoods beaches are free to visitors. There’s plenty to do from day to night for all ages, thanks to the adjacent boardwalk packed with rides, games, and food.
Beesley’s Point Beach – Upper Township
Down in Cape May County, Beesley’s Point is a small, quiet beach just across Great Egg Harbor Bay from Ocean City. It’s a great spot to launch kayaks and take in some of the most scenic bay views in South Jersey.
Highlands Beach – Highlands
Just south of Sandy Hook along Sandy Hook Bay, the small beaches of Highlands Borough offer a free, less-populated alternative to the area’s more crowded shorelines. The views here—across the bay toward Sandy Hook—are some of the more underrated in Monmouth County.
Ideal Beach – Middletown
Ideal Beach covers 25 acres along Sandy Hook Bay, with enough space to spread out and find your own patch of sand. On a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the Verrazano Bridge and the Manhattan skyline from the shoreline. Free, scenic, and genuinely underrated.
William Morrow Beach – Somers Point
William Morrow Beach is open to the public seven days a week starting in June. The sandy coastline features restrooms, outdoor showers, a playground, and free parking. It’s also home to a summer concert series that runs every Friday evening through early September.
Atlantic City Beaches – Atlantic City
Atlantic City has the casinos, the restaurants, the boardwalk—and free beaches. The Atlantic City shoreline has never charged admission, making it one of the more overlooked free options at the Shore. The iconic boardwalk, built in 1870, is right there too.
Corson’s Inlet State Park – Ocean City
Corson’s Inlet State Park is a natural oceanfront preserve on the southern edge of Ocean City, offering undeveloped beaches, wildlife, and scenic hiking. Note that swimming is not permitted here—the preserve is maintained in its natural state—but it’s one of the more beautiful stretches of shoreline in South Jersey.
Jennifer Lane Bay Beach – Stafford Township
Jennifer Lane Bay Beach is a free bayfront shoreline along Manahawkin Bay in Beach Haven West, directly across from Long Beach Island. It’s one of the best cost-free alternatives to the crowded beaches of LBI—quieter, more laid-back, and equally beautiful.
Strathmere – Upper Township
Tucked between Ocean City and Sea Isle City, Strathmere offers about a mile and a half of free beach with no boardwalk crowds. Ocean City is just a short drive away for anyone who wants more to do.
Sea Bright Beaches – Sea Bright
Sea Bright offers seven free public beach access points along Ocean Avenue, each clearly marked. Visitors get direct Atlantic Ocean access—good for swimming, sunbathing, or just a walk along the water.
Keansburg Beach – Keansburg
Keansburg Beach sits along the lower bay with views of the Manhattan skyline across the water. The calm, shallow waters are well-suited for families with young kids, though there are no lifeguards on duty. An amusement park and water park are nearby.
Union Beach – Union Beach
Union Beach is a quiet bay-shore spot with waterfront piers, open water views, and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere. It’s a good option for those who want to be near the water without the crowds of the barrier island beaches.
Sandy Hook Beach – Highlands
Sandy Hook Beach sits within the Gateway National Recreation Area in Monmouth County and offers one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in all of New Jersey. Note that there is a vehicle entry fee of $20 per car—but once inside, the beach itself is free, along with bike paths, hiking trails, and stunning views of New York Harbor.
New Jersey native that loves reading on the couch in pajamas, exploring new places and cooking at home. Interested in writing about food, fashion and culture, all while sipping a tall glass of cold brew.
