You're standing at the end of a wooden walkway in Loveladies, the salt air is whipping your hair around, and you realize you forgot the one thing that stands between you and the Atlantic: that little piece of plastic. It happens. Honestly, figuring out long beach township nj beach badges can feel like a part-time job if you aren't a local. People often confuse the township with the individual boroughs like Ship Bottom or Beach Haven. But here's the kicker: Long Beach Township is the "big" one. It covers the lion's share of the island—roughly 12 miles of it—including North Beach, Brant Beach, and Holgate.
If you step onto a beach in Peahala Park without a badge, a checker will eventually find you. It’s not personal; it’s just how the island maintains the dunes and pays the lifeguards.
Why Long Beach Township NJ Beach Badges Are Different
Most people think Long Beach Island (LBI) is one giant town. It isn't. LBI is a patchwork of different municipalities, and your long beach township nj beach badges won't work in Beach Haven. They won't work in Surf City either. This catches people off guard every single summer. You could be staying in a rental house in Spray Beach—which is part of the township—and walk two blocks south into Beach Haven territory, and suddenly your badge is useless.
The Township is basically the "everything else" of the island. It’s fragmented. It spans from the tip of the north end down to the very bottom. Because it covers so much ground, the logistics of getting your hands on a badge are a bit more spread out than in the smaller boroughs.
The Cost of Admission (And How to Save Money)
Let’s talk money because, let’s be real, that’s what matters when you’re planning a family vacation. Every year, the prices creep up a tiny bit. For the 2025 season, the "Pre-Season" period is your best friend. If you buy your seasonal badges before mid-June—usually around June 15th—you save a significant chunk of change. We’re talking the difference between $40 and $50 per person. If you’ve got a family of five, that’s a couple of extra dinners at The Chicken or the Egg.
Weekly badges are the go-to for vacationers. They usually run about $20. If you’re just down for the day? It’s $10.
But wait. There are loopholes. Or rather, well-deserved discounts.
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Seniors (65 and older) can get a lifetime badge for a one-time fee, which is arguably the best deal on the Jersey Shore. Veterans and active military members often get in for free, provided they show the right ID at the badge office. It’s a small "thank you" for their service, and the township is pretty strict about honoring it.
Where to Actually Buy the Things
You can’t just buy these at any old convenience store. You have to go to the source. The main hub is the Long Beach Township Beach Badge Office located at 6805 Long Beach Boulevard in Brant Beach.
Don't want to drive to Brant Beach? I get it. Traffic on the boulevard in July is a nightmare.
During the peak season, the township usually sets up mobile badge trailers. You’ll find them parked near popular beach entrances. Also, many beach checkers carry a limited supply of daily badges, but they rarely have the seasonal ones on them. If you’re looking for a seasonal badge in late July, head to the main office or use the Viply app.
Wait, let's talk about the app for a second. It was supposed to make life easier. You buy the badge on your phone, show a QR code at the window, and they hand you the physical badge. It's... fine. It saves you from carrying cash, but you still have to physically pick up the plastic badge. You can't just show your phone to the checker on the sand. They need to see that plastic tag pinned to your swimsuit or bag.
The Rules Nobody Tells You
Did you know you don't need a badge if you're under 12? That’s a standard rule across the island. But here is something people miss: the "Beach Badge" isn't just for the ocean. In some parts of the township, they’re looking for them at the bay beaches too.
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The checkers are usually college kids or local teens. They aren't trying to ruin your day, but they have a job to do. If you get caught without one, they’ll usually just ask you to walk up to the entrance and buy a daily. If you refuse? Well, that's when the police might get involved, and nobody wants a fine on their vacation.
- Badges are required from mid-June through Labor Day.
- Hours: Usually 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Transferability: You can share them! If you’re leaving the beach at 1 PM, you can give your badge to a friend who is just arriving.
The "Holgate" Situation
Holgate is at the very southern end of LBI. It’s beautiful, raw, and often less crowded. It’s also part of Long Beach Township. If you’re heading down there to see the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, remember that the "badge zone" ends where the refuge begins. However, if you're sitting on the lifeguarded beach in Holgate, you absolutely need your long beach township nj beach badges.
Parking in Holgate is a bit easier than in Brant Beach, but the badge rules remain the same. The township police are particularly active in patrolling these outer stretches to make sure everyone is playing by the rules.
Lost Badges: A Sad Story
If you lose your badge in the surf, you are out of luck. There are no replacements. You have to buy a new one. I’ve seen people out there with metal detectors looking for lost rings, but nobody ever finds a lost badge. Pin it securely. Double-check it. If you’re wearing a bikini, pin it to your beach bag. If you’re in trunks, make sure the safety pin is actually through the fabric and locked.
Digital vs. Physical
There’s been a lot of talk about moving to a fully digital system. Some towns in Jersey have tried it. Long Beach Township stays old school for a reason. The physical badge is a status symbol in a weird way. People collect them. You'll see locals with a string of badges from the last twenty years hanging from their rearview mirrors.
Plus, it's easier for a checker to glance at your chair from ten feet away and see a flash of neon plastic than it is to ask every single person to wake up and unlock their phone.
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Actionable Steps for Your Trip
If you're planning a trip to LBI this summer, follow this sequence to keep it stress-free.
First, check the map. Confirm your rental is actually in Long Beach Township. If your address is in Ship Bottom, don't buy township badges. You’d be surprised how many people make this $200 mistake.
Second, buy early. If you know you're coming, buy your badges through the Viply app or by mail before the June deadline. The savings cover the cost of a few pizzas.
Third, designate a badge person. In every group, one person should be responsible for the "bag of badges." When you're packing up the car to head home, do a head count of the badges. They are small, they are expensive, and they love to hide in the bottom of sandy bags.
Lastly, keep your receipts. If you buy a daily badge, keep the receipt in your pocket. Occasionally, a badge might break or a pin might snap. Having that proof of purchase makes life a lot easier if you need to talk to a supervisor at the badge shack.
The beach is why you're here. The badge is just the "tax" to keep it clean and safe. Get it sorted on day one so you can spend the rest of your week worrying about nothing more than where to get the best ice cream on the boulevard.
Next Steps for Your LBI Vacation:
Check the official Long Beach Township website or the Viply app specifically for the 2026 "Pre-Season" deadline dates, as these change slightly every calendar year based on when the weekends fall. If you are a senior citizen, ensure you have a valid ID ready for the lifetime badge purchase at the Brant Beach office, as this cannot be done through the mobile app.