THE GOOD ----------------…read more+ SUPER clean beach with a $12 beach badge fee (13 and under are free) as of July 2025. And, yes, they DO check for your beach badge at every beach entryway. + SUPER clean boardwalk with nicely painted brown planks spanning 1st to 20th Avenue. + For the kids, there are a few small playgrounds located on the beach itself. + Lots of parking spaces in the surrounding area leading to the boardwalk and beach. Only the angle parking spaces facing the beach are pay spots. Spaces in front of houses are FREE! (See NOT SO GOOD section for more) + Bathrooms are seemingly located every few blocks when in the middle of the boardwalk THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- - Not many restaurants along Ocean Avenue and the boardwalk except a few pizzerias (J's Pizza, 3 Brothers From Italy, Mamalukes), ice cream shops (Coney Waffle, Mamalukes) and D'jais bar. - Just a few souvenir/t-shirt stores (Beckman's On the Beach, The Beach Nut) if you're into collecting souvenirs or buying shirts from different towns/cities. - Show up early to park on weekends/holidays! If you show up after 11AM, you might be out of luck until the afternoon when folks begin leaving the beach. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = For a good photo op, stand in front of the Borough of Belmar Taylor Pavilion between 5th and 6th Ave

We love coming to belmar beach it's not overly crowded, it's clean, the boardwalk is clean and…read moreenjoyable. It would be nice if they had changing stations because then you have sand all the way home and I'm about 1hr and 30 mins You cannot use the bathrooms for changing and if you take long in the stall some woman start talking loudly about oh she's probably changing. But because I won't succumb to Karens I just keep walking. But I do enjoy belmar over all. I definitely recommend you visit. I've got a idea for changing tent which I'll post the picture once I make it lol. Enjoy the summer at the Jersey shore!!

Wow. I LOVE IT HERE. I'm a gal who prefers a more quiet, peaceful beach experience. I spent the…read moreday at Avon By the Sea on a weekday in September and it was perfect. All parking is FREE. Can't complain about that! There's plenty of street parking right in front of the boardwalk as well as residential parking nearby. Since I visited after the summer season ended, I had no problem finding a spot at 12pm. If you're going during the season, I would suggest coming much earlier if you want to get a good spot closer to the beach. During the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), beach badges are required from 9am-5pm on weekdays and 9am-5:30pm on weekends/holidays. It's $13 per person. Children ages 11 and under + active military and their dependents are free of charge. They don't accept credit/debit cards, so remember to bring CASH. The beach is beautiful - clear, blue water and clean, soft sand. The crowd is more mature and family-oriented. They do have a lot of rules (no alcohol/smoking/cannabis/canopies/tents/sound systems), but I don't mind. It's not rowdy here, so you'll have a peaceful experience. There are bathrooms, a playground area for children, and a boardwalk. The boardwalk is small, but charming. There are benches for you to sit, relax, and enjoy the ocean view. There aren't many restaurants, bars, games, or entertainment around. They have a snack/food pavilion, but I'd suggest driving a few miles away to Asbury Park or Long Branch for a better dining and night life scene. Seeeeee yaaaaaaaa at the shore!

Avon-by-the-Sea is perfect if you're looking for a quiet, peaceful beach day. It's way more low-key…read morethan Belmar -- not much going on, mostly retirees and families, which honestly makes it super relaxing. Don't come here expecting to walk to a bunch of restaurants or bars -- it's more of a bring your own vibes kind of place. But they do have a snack shack, bathrooms, and the beach itself is really clean with clear water. Daily entry is $13, and there's lots of street parking, which is rare and amazing for beach towns. If you just want to chill, read, and enjoy the ocean without the crowds, this is the spot

THE GOOD ----------------…read more+ Relatively clean beach like all of the popular beaches on the Jersey Shore, BUT we did find a little trash here and there - like bottle caps. ++++ For you shell and rock collectors, plenty of miniature shells and rocks can be found on this beach. + Very active lifeguards are on duty during beach hours. Observed them signaling to swimmers, multiple times, to relocate to within the swimming area. + Multiple guarded access points. ++++ Daily passes can be purchased at the beach access points. + LOTS of parking spaces right along Ocean Ave, but they fill up very fast. The spaces right along the boardwalk are not free though and cost $2 per hour through Parkmobile. THE NOT SO GOOD ----------------------------- - $14 for a daily pass as of 2026???? Inflation definitely stinks. - No restaurants located along the boardwalk or beach. All of the restaurants are located on Main St., which is 6 blocks west of the beach. MIXED THOUGHTS ---------------------------- = Nada. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = Arrived at around 10:30 AM on an August Saturday and it was already pretty busy. Parking spaces were still available, but they filled up VERY fast after we arrived. = Most of the beachgoers were set up where the swimming areas were. In the non-swimming areas, it was pretty empty actually, so if you want to be left alone, that's your spot. = On Park Pl Ave, there was a food truck that sold typical truck foods (burgers, hot dogs) at very reasonable prices. Also, Lynnie Lou's Ice Cream truck was right beside it too.

- Pricey at $14 admission in 2026, although kids under 12 are free with an adult…read more- Paid street parking is available along the beach - Nice playground area for the kiddos - The beach could be cleaner--pieces of litter were noticeable on the sand every few steps - Plenty of active lifeguards on duty, and flags along the shore clearly indicate designated swimming areas versus fishing areas - The only rinse station we saw had a single shower, so expect a bit of a wait when the beach is busy - A couple of food trucks are located right off the sand for a quick meal, but there isn't much else nearby without venturing inland

THE GOOD ----------------…read more+ Spacious, beautiful beach with verrrrry, verrrrrry clean sand. + Lifeguards are on duty during beach hours and they are extremely watchful of the beach as we observed them, multiple times, giving warnings to swimmers. + There is a food stand, Shore Break Grill, DIRECTLY on the beach by the pier on Embury Ave!! They sell food (burgers fries, sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken fingers), cold drinks (flavored lemonades, iced teas), smoothies, pina coladas, acai bowls, ice cream and ice! + Town area on Main Ave is small, but charming and has plenty of restaurants, including the famed (and newly reopened) Nagle's Apothecary Cafe. + A lot of free street parking spaces along the streets and angled, BUT get here early (around 10:30 AM) on the weekend during beach season! If you don't arrive early, you'll definitely be circling for awhile. THE NOT SO GOOD ----------------------------- - Nada. MIXED THOUGHTS ---------------------------- = Nada. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = As of July 2026, daily wrist bands cost $13 per adult with children 11 and younger being free.

The Jersey Shore has around 141 miles of shoreline and more than 40 beach towns, each with its own…read moreunique vibe. If you're looking for a quieter, peaceful, family-friendly beach day, Ocean Grove is calling your name. First, I have to make a DISCLAIMER... This one-mile town is known as "God's Square Mile" because it was founded by Methodist ministers as a seaside Christian sanctuary. You'll definitely see that history reflected throughout the town, from streets with biblical names to worship services held on the boardwalk. Ocean Grove is overseen by a religious organization and follows some Christian blue laws, including no alcohol sales. With that being said, please do NOT let the town's religious roots scare you away! I'm not religious, but I felt completely welcomed. Not once did I feel like their beliefs were being pushed onto me. Moving on... as a seasoned beach gal, here's everything you need to know to make the most of your beach day: PARKING: FREE... you read that right! There are angled spots right in front of the beach, plus street parking in the residential areas. Come extra early on weekends if you want to snag a spot. I got super lucky and found one around 11AM on a Sunday. ADMISSION: Daily beach passes are $13 and can be purchased online or in person at the beach office. It's FREE for children 11 and under & anyone who arrives after 5:30pm. I really wish they offered free or discounted admission for U.S. veterans, active-duty military, and seniors. BEACH & AMENITIES: The beach is clean, the sand is soft, and the water has gotten noticeably clearer and bluer over the years. It's also less crowded than some nearby beaches, so there's plenty of space. Amenities include: -Umbrella & chair rentals -Public bathrooms (pretty clean) -Outdoor rinse stations -A designated surfing area No showers or changing rooms. BOARDWALK: The 0.5 mile boardwalk is wide and lined with benches, street lamps, and potted flowers. Don't expect a bustling boardwalk scene--it's definitely more laidback. There's a pavilion where Christian services are open to the public, including gospel music and prayers. The beach office also sells merchandise like hats and sweatshirts. I had a wonderful stroll in the sun and really enjoyed the atmosphere. HISTORICAL SIGHTS: -Ocean Grove has the largest concentration of VICTORIAN HOMES in the COUNTRY and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's so picturesque. I was in love with the pastel colors! -You can't miss THE GREAT AUDITORIUM, a massive 1894 landmark that hosts religious services, choir concerts, and community events. -Then there's TENT CITY, a historic colony of 114 canvas tents used for summer Christian retreats. Want to stay in one? You have to apply, pass an interview, and then get on a legendary waitlist that's apparently 10-15 years long! Rentals cost $4,000-$8,000. Who knows, maybe you'll want to add that to your bucket list haha... FOOD/NIGHTLIFE: -The nightlife is virtually nonexistent. No bars, clubs, lounges, or liquor sales--it's a dry town. I respect it. If you want a bar scene, Asbury Park is a short drive away. -There's a small food stand on the beach called Shore Break (see my separate review!) that servces ice cream, lemonades, smoothies, and standard beach grub like fries and hot dogs. -The downtown main street is a short walk away, with a handful of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries if you want to grab a bite. Some notable spots are Nagle's, SeaGrass, OG Bake Shoppe, and Tino's Pizza. I spent six hours here and had such a peaceful beach day. If you want a change of scenery from some of the livelier (and rowdier) Jersey Shore towns, Ocean Grove is a great place to unwind. I actually think its religious history adds to the charm and makes this little town stand out.

Beautiful Spring Lake Beach! Look a stroll on the boardwalk…read morebefore dinner! Noted the season pass for the beach was $110. Lovely potted flowers along the boardwalk. Street parking - didn't see any meters!

Free entrance beach that is well maintained! Keep it clean and don't bring your filth to the…read morepublic. Showers on each entrance and restrooms at some areas. See images for reference.

Cute park, lots of space for kids to burn off energy. Well kept. Nice vibe. Ample parking.read more

Great local park with swings for the kids, picnic tables for the family and a covered pavilion too…read more Bocci courts and an inlet beach for all. Seriously I'd give it 5 stars but then my secret would be ruined.

Absolutely amazing experience! The crew was friendly, professional, and made us feel safe from…read morestart to finish. The views were breathtaking, and the ride was peaceful and unforgettable. I would definitely do it again. Highly recommend!

From start to finish, our sailing experience was phenomenal! Both captains were professional and…read morecourteous. We had an incredible flight and cannot wait to return!

If you're looking for a business where messages go unanswered for days and concerns are met with…read moredismissive responses rather than solutions, this may be the place for you. While bringing and carrying our own linens may certainly be inconvenient, it ultimately proved far less frustrating than dealing with the owner. Unfortunately, the lack of communication and customer service significantly impacted our experience. Nothing says customer service like gaslighting your "low hanging fruit" customers that were referred to you.

This is by far the best linen service at the beach. Janine and her husband run this business very…read moreprofessionally. They always arrive when they say they will. My home has 8 bedrooms and I used to try and maintain the linens myself. I am very happy I decided to bring in Blue Cottage. My life is much simpler now. Rick L

Friday was my first time ever on a Stand Up Paddle Board... and with Sandy's detailed instruction,…read moreI was able to catch on quick... and fell in love with it! We did it on the beautiful Manasquan River, which felt really private. Sandy has such a friendly, warm spirit and her yoga sequence on the SUP board was meditative and restorative (I think she knew just what I needed that day). Don't be fooled--it's a great workout too. And I can't wait to do it again!

What an amazing experience. This last Friday we hit the beach at the Belmar location for my…read moredaughters first surf lesson. We were immediately met with high energy well informed staff that got her set up without delay. My daughter (age 9) was taught about surf safety, board construction and practiced popping up on the beach for about 10 mins then it was straight to the surf. Her instructor was Hunter and was outstanding. Conditions were great and they were in the water for the remaining 1 hr 20 mins catching wave after wave. My daughter is hooked. All the staff that we ran into were very down to earth and very personable. We have 2 lessons left from the 3 pack we purchased, Summertime Surf is our spot!