Beach Information
Beach Tags
Daily $8 | Weekly $17
Preseason $32 (per person if purchased on or before May 31)
Seasonal $40 (per person if purchased after May 31)
Tags are reciprocal with the Borough of Stone Harbor and can be purchased at the Beach Tag Booth at 3001 Avalon Ave.
Beach tags are required for everyone 12 and older beginning May 25 through September 2, 2024. Preseason beach tags will be available beginning March 1.
Seasonal tags are sold for the preseason rate of $32 and are available either by stopping by the Avalon Tax and Utility Collector’s office at Avalon Borough Hall, or through the mail. Checks or money order by mail order will be accepted through Friday, May 10, 2024, to receive the preseason rate. A receipt will be provided by mail to be used to exchange for the 2024 tag. On June 1, the cost of the seasonal tag changes to $40.
The Beach Tag Booth adjacent to Avalon Community Hall will be open weekends 10am-4pm beginning April 6 and will be open daily starting April 27. The Avalon Chamber of Commerce, located at 2989 Ocean Drive, will also sell 2024 seasonal beach tags, and accepts credit cards, as well as cash or check. There is a nominal fee to purchase via credit card.
Avalon has a partnership with the Jersey Cape Diagnostic, Training, and Opportunity Center. To purchase seasonal beach tags online, go to jersey-cape-tags.myshopify.com.
Protected Beaches
For your protection, bathing and swimming are permitted only at protected beaches where lifeguards are on duty 10am to 5pm, June 5-Aug. 17. From May 24-June 5 and Aug. 17-Sept. 9, a limited number of lifeguards will be assigned to one or more designated beaches as available personnel permits. Rafts are permitted at any guarded beach. Kayaks (including inflatable and non-inflatable), and Bodyboards and/or Bellyboards with skegs are prohibited on any beaches in the Borough during the hours of 10am-5pm unless otherwise noted. By ordinance, Avalon’s beaches are closed daily from 11pm-4am.
Protected Beaches 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 26th, 28th, 32nd, 35th, 38th, 40th, 43rd, 50th, 57th, 61st, 65th, 69th, 73rd, 76th and 78th streets
KAYAK BEACH 57th Street & the Bay
SURFING ONLY BEACHES* 10-11th, 13-14th and 30th
SURFING* & STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD BEACHES 16-17th , 20th, 39th, 63rd and 67th
SURF FISHING BEACHES Between 40th and 60th Streets, but not near the lifeguard stands
Catamarans are not permitted.
*For seasonal updates, visit avalonboro.net
Disclaimer
WARNING! If you swim before 10am or after 5pm, or when lifeguards are not on duty, or if you swim at a beach that is not a designated beach, you do so at YOUR OWN RISK and the Borough of Avalon assumes no liability or responsibility.
Beach Vehicle Permits
Avalon offers beach vehicle permits that permit driving on the beaches between the dates of September 15-March 31 of each year. The cost of the annual permit is $50 and requires the vehicle to put a descriptive decal which shall be affixed to any corner of the rear window of the vehicle. All vehicles must obey a speed limit of 15mph. The permitted locations for entry to and exit from the beach by vehicles with valid permits are 9th, 20th, 32nd, 38th, 60th, and 79th streets when conditions permit. Vehicles are not allowed on the beach between Midnight and 6:00pm. Vehicles are available by visiting the Avalon Construction Office at Avalon Borough Hall, 3100 Dune Drive weekdays between 8:15am-4:15pm.
Beach Conduct
Picnicking on the beach is permitted; please place refuse in trash and recycling containers. Smoking is prohibited on Avalon beaches. Prohibited activities also include fires/open flames, alcoholic beverages, bottles, glass, sharp objects, loud noise, indecent language/actions, the deliberate release of balloons, sky lanterns, and any store-purchased fireworks or related items. No sleeping on the beach or boardwalk from sunset to sunrise. Use beach paths; trespassing on dunes and in areas posted for endangered beach-nesting birds is strictly prohibited.
Avalon’s Sunscreen Dispensers
Avalon was the first community in New Jersey to partner with the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation to provide dispensers for free sunscreen. The yellow dispensers are located next to the Beach Tag Booth at 30th Street and the beach, at the 8th Street Tennis and Pickleball Courts, Bay Park Marina and at our 39th Street playground. They contain 30spf sunscreen and serve as a reminder to take proper precautions during prolonged exposure to the sun.
RIP Currents
Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent in many bodies of water in the coastal United States, including in New Jersey. Panicked swimmers often try to counter a rip current by swimming straight back to shore — putting themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue.
If you are caught in a rip current, don’t fight it. Wave to shore for help. When rip currents are prevalent, the Avalon Beach Patrol may keep you closer to shore for your own safety.
Stay safe, only swim when and where a lifeguard is on duty.
Avalon Dune and Beach Trail
The Avalon Environmental Commission invites you to explore Avalon’s dunes by walking our popular dune and beach trail. Explore our very diverse ecosystem in the high dunes and become educated about the environmental and protective value our dune system provides to the Borough. You can access the trail at 44th Street and 48th Street, on Dune Drive. Follow the interpretive signs, participate in the Kids’ Corner, and be sure to bring your camera. For additional information, please visit avalonduneandbeachtrail.com.
Our Dunes
Avalon has one of the only remaining high dune systems on the East Coast. Dune Walks, guided by Wetlands Institute staff, will be offered at the 48th Street Path for a suggested $3 on Wednesdays starting at 9:30am, June 19-Aug. 28. Also, enjoy five miles of clean, wide beaches. Please stay on the beach path when going to the beach. It is prohibited for anyone to walk on the dunes; by Borough ordinance, fines may be imposed. Please help keep Avalon clean and green. Program generously sponsored by the Avalon Free Public Library.
Boardwalk
Avalon has a half-mile boardwalk for your walking pleasure.
Bicycles are permitted on the boardwalk only from 5-10am.
Motorized bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, inline skates and mopeds are not permitted on the boardwalk at any time.
Per Borough ordinance, dogs are prohibited from the Avalon Boardwalk at all times. Smoking is prohibited on the boardwalk. By ordinance, Avalon’s boardwalk is closed daily from 11pm-4am.
Access to Boardwalks and Beaches
Handicap ramps at 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 29th, 30th, 32nd, 80th streets, and 8th and Avalon Avenue. Click Here for a guide to Accessing Cape May County’s Beaches and Surf Chairs for People with Disabilities
Ramps to boardwalk and beach requiring companion’s assistance: 22nd Street
Hard-packed gravel paths from street to beach are located at 9th to 20th, 32nd to 40th, 44th, 48th, 50th, and 57th to 79th streets
Accessible bay-front piers at 20th & 5th Avenue, 23rd, 33rd, 37th and 57th streets, and 8th Street Pier at the bayside
All access to the beaches in Avalon are open in the interest of public safety. Due to storm events and beach erosion, at times access at a particular beach path may be closed until the beach or path is repaired.
Public Parking
Public parking is available in Borough lots at 32nd & Dune Drive behind the Municipal Building; 28th-30th streets and the beach; on the corner of 21st Street & 5th Avenue, and on 20th Street between Dune and Ocean Drives.
Accessible Parking
At 30th Street, adjacent to Community Hall (four spaces on north and south side of building)
At 32nd Street & the boardwalk (one space)
Parking lot at 29th Street & the boardwalk (four spaces)
Parking lot at 28th Street (four spaces)
Surf Chairs
Locations:
9th, 30th and 80th streets. Reservations (no charge), call Beach Patrol at 609-967-7587 between 10am and 5pm; chairs cannot be reserved for more than one day at a time. Please refrain from using these chairs on the street.
Avalon Bridges
The Borough of Avalon prohibits the practice of jumping off bridges into recreational waters through Ordinance 767-2018. This activity is extremely dangerous and puts you at unnecessary risk to slip, strike unknown objects in the water, and other factors. This prohibition is enforced by the Avalon Police Department.
Dogs and Cats
Dogs and cats must be licensed; an animal-control warden is employed by the Borough. DOGS ARE PROHIBITED FROM BEING ON THE DUNES AT ANY TIME; dogs are prohibited from being on the beach between March 1-Sept. 30. Dogs must be kept on a leash (when not confined) and their droppings must be retrieved immediately by the person in charge of the dogs.