12 Jersey Shore Towns Have Raised 2026 Beach Badge Prices

Living in New Jersey my whole life, I am used to beaches costing money; it's just that simple. We pay for beach badges, and I don't know anything different. So my reaction is simple: Am I planning on going to the beach enough this season to justify paying?

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Some years I am going to go, so I will pay. Some years I have a lot going on, so I didn't think it's that simple. Now I do get those who are opposed to paying, and I get it, but again, that's how we do it here.

One thing that frustrates me is that my beach charges me, but there are no restrooms. Since we do pay, build a centrally located public restroom, am I wrong? I would pay an extra dollar or two a year to have the convenience, would you?

What New Jersey Towns Have Raised Their 2026 Beach Badge Prices?

According to a new list from NJ.com, 12 Jersey Shore beaches have raised their beach badge prices, some more than ever. The beach that raised its prices the most is Mantoloking. They have increased their 2026 prices by $25. Mantoloking went from $120 to $145.

Seasonal Badge Prices

Mantoloking + $25 ($145)
Avon-By-The-Sea +10 ($110)
Bay Head +10 ($120)
7 Presidents (Long Branch) +5 ($80)
Ocean Grove +5 ($105)
Surf City +5 ($55)
Monmouth Beach +5 ($110)
Longport +5 ($40)
Avalon +2 ($42)
Stone Harbor +2 ($42)

Bradley Beach raised its "Daily" price by $1 ($14)

Sea Bright raised its "Daily" price by $2 ($10)

According to NJ.com, "five towns raised both their daily and season badge prices. Another five raised only their season badge prices, while two more raised just their daily prices."

This Boardwalk May Close Early?

I still have a few weeks before Memorial Day Weekend, so I have time to decide, but if I get badges this season, I will get the season and save money on paying daily prices. How about you?

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

Gallery Credit: Keri Wiginton