As 2023 Beach Badge Prices Soar, Preseason Deals Offer Relief

JERSEY SHORE - The start of the summer season is still months away, but those looking to evade inflated prices and save on beach badges next year may want to consider stocking up on beach passes now.

Several popular Jersey Shore beaches have already announced plans to raise beach badge pricing by as much as $15 in 2023, citing staffing needs and economic inflation. Price increases have already been announced by Surf City, Seaside Park and Barnegat Light for the 2023 summer season.

Holiday discounts will start at $40 on Nov. 14 and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, per the Surf City government website. Seasonal badges will start at $45 after the sale, up from the $35 tag price at the start of last year’s season.

The determination to raise badge prices this year stems largely from the principle that beach operations are funded through badge revenue, Surf City Councilman Peter Hartney told Patch.

"Thus, the process in determining to raise cost of a beach badge is making an educated judgement about what it will cost to operate the beach in the coming season, taking into consideration such fixed costs as salaries which need to increase each year with the yearly increase in the minimum wage," Hartney said in an email.

"These salaries include lifeguards, beach badge checkers/sellers, public works employees who prepare the beach in the pre-season and then clean and maintain it throughout the season, and seasonal police officers for public safety on the beaches," Hartney added. "In addition, the operation of the beach is not immune to the current inflation our economy is experiencing especially in the cost of fuel and materials to maintain the beach such as hard pack for our street ends, tipping fees for the trash the beach generates and the costs of keeping our beach rake and various vehicles maintained and repaired."

Hartney added that Surf City compared its pricing with other beach badge fees in nearby Long Beach Island municipalities to make sure all were roughly in the same ballpark.

Seaside Park will be upping its seasonal charge from $60 last year to $70, according to a report from WOBM; the holiday discount will knock $15 off the retail price. Barnegat Light will be asking for $45 for seasonal beach badges, up from a starting price of $30 in 2022. Holiday discounts retail for $35.

Enjoying the beach in Ocean City will also come at a higher price next year, as the Ocean City Council recently voted to raise beach tag prices. Read More: Beach Tag Prices Are Increasing In Ocean City

"We've tried as long as we could to not do this, but we're at a breaking point, and we just can't do it anymore," Councilman Bob Barr said. When the sale begins, pre-season beach tags will cost $30, up $10 from recent years.

Lavallette will be increasing its $55 seasonal pass to $65 in May 2023, with holiday sales starting at $55 until Dec. 30, borough representatives told Patch.

No charges to beach badges are coming in 2023 to Cape May City, Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, Harvey Cedars or Long Beach Township. Both Long Beach and Harvey Cedars are offering holiday discounts on badges at $35; Beach Haven is starting its sale at $30 for the season.

Some towns, however, haven’t yet finalized beach badge prices for next year’s season. Such towns include Manasquan, which will be deciding its final price during the 2023 budget prices.

“The holiday sale is offered at the 2022 rates,” Councilman Mike Mangan told Patch. “This is done every year this way to offer people the chance to buy before (if) there is an increase in the following year.”

Many beaches also offer extra discounts for seniors, veterans, active-duty members and children.

-With additional reporting by Veronica Flesher.