Beach Information

Beach Tags

Daily $10 | Weekly $18
Preseason $37 (per person if purchased on or before May 31, 2026)
Seasonal $42 (per person if purchased after May 31, 2026)
Tags are reciprocal with the Borough of Stone Harbor and can be purchased at the Beach Tag Booth at 3001 Avalon Ave. between 10am-4pm, 609-967-5928.

Beach tags are required for everyone 12 and older beginning May 23-September 7, 2026. Preseason beach tags will be available beginning March 1.

Seasonal tags are sold for the preseason rate of $37 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 8, 2026, to receive the preseason rate. A receipt will be provided by mail to be used to exchange for the 2026 tag. On June 1, the cost of the seasonal tag changes to $42.

The Beach Tag Booth adjacent to Avalon Community Hall will be open weekends 10am-4pm beginning April 4 and will be open daily starting April 25. The Avalon Chamber of Commerce, located at 2989 Ocean Drive, will also sell 2026 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

Free Veterans Beach Tags/Active Military

The Avalon Bor­ough Coun­cil approved an ordi­nance that results in free beach tags being offered to all vet­er­ans of the United States Mil­i­tary.

The new law allows beach com­mu­ni­ties in New Jer­sey to offer reduced price or free beach tags to any indi­vid­ual who has served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States who were dis­charged or released under con­di­tions other than dis­hon­or­able and who either have served at least 90 days in active duty or have been dis­charged or released from active duty by rea­son of a service-incurred injury or disability.

Avalon will make the free beach tags avail­able at the Avalon Beach Tag Booth located next to Avalon Com­mu­nity Hall at 30th Street and the beach. Vet­er­ans will sim­ply need to show appro­pri­ate doc­u­men­ta­tion to receive complimentary beach access for the beach sea­son in Avalon. Appro­pri­ate doc­u­men­ta­tion includes: DD-214, or any of the following:

  • Cape May County Vet­er­ans card, issued by the county

  • Active/retired/reserved military identification card

  • Amer­i­can Legion card

  • VFW card

  • Viet­nam Vet­er­ans of Amer­ica card

  • Dis­abled Vet­er­ans of Amer­ica card

  • Marine Corps League card

Avalon continues its practice of offering free beach access to active members of the United States Armed Forces and their immediate family members. Please note that veterans and active military mentioned above may simply show these forms of identification to a beach tag checker in lieu of obtaining a beach tag.

Beach Vehicle Permits

Avalon offers beach vehicle permits that permit driving on the beaches between the dates of September 15-March 14 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 6am. Permits are available by visiting the Avalon Construction Office at Avalon Borough Hall, 3100 Dune Drive weekdays between 8:15am-4:15pm.

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. 23. From May 22-June 4 and Aug. 24-Sept. 13, 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 (bathing and rafting only) 9th, 10th*, 12th , 14th**, 15th**, 16th**, 18th, 19th*, 20th*, 21st (bathing only), 23rd*, 24th, 25th*, 26th, 27th*, 28th, 29th*, 32nd, 33rd*, 35th, 38th, 40th, 43rd, 50th, 57th, 61st, 65th, 69th, 73rd, 76th 78th*, 79th streets
    *designates beaches that will be open depending on lifeguard availability
    ** trial basis for 2026 when lifeguard availability allows

  • KAYAK BEACH 57th Street & the Bay

  • SURFING ONLY BEACHES* 41st, 42nd, 44th-49th

  • SURFING* & STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD BEACHES 17th, 19th, 20th, 39th, 62nd, 63rd, 64th, 66th, 67th, 68th

  • SURF FISHING BEACHES 41st, 42nd, 44th-49th, 51st-56th, 58th-60th, but not near the lifeguard stands

  • Catamarans are not permitted.

    *For seasonal updates, visit avalonboro.net

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

  • 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

  • Beach mats are placed for the summer of 2025 at the following locations for ease of accessibility: 8th, 29th, 30th, 40th, 44th, 48th, 57th, 62nd, 67th, 73rd, 74th, 78th, 80th (Subject to change.)

  • 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.

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.

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.

Rip+Current+Sign+2018.jpg

Avalon Surf Chair Program

  • 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. If you would like to reserve a surf chair during the off-season, please call the Recreation Department at 609-967-3066.

Dogs On the Beach

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.

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 24-Sept. 2. 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.