Look, nobody likes paying to walk on sand. It feels a little weird, right? But if you’re heading to Long Beach Island (LBI), specifically to the borough of Surf City, those little plastic tags are basically your passport to the ocean. Without one, you’re looking at a potentially awkward conversation with a badge checker and a brisk walk back to your car.
Surf City beach badges aren't just some random tax. They pay for the lifeguards who keep you from drowning in a rip current and the crews who keep the beach from looking like a literal dump.
If you've been coming here for decades, you know the drill. But for the weekend warriors or the families renting their first big LBI house, the rules can feel a bit cryptic. Prices change. Locations move. Digital options appear and then disappear. It’s a lot to track when you just want to get a tan and eat a pork roll sandwich.
The Cost of Admission
Let's talk money because that's usually the first question. For the 2025 season—and heading into 2026—Surf City has kept things relatively consistent, though inflation always bites a little.
A seasonal badge is your best bet if you're staying for more than a week. Typically, if you buy them during the "pre-season" period (usually ending on May 31st), you save ten or fifteen bucks. Once June 1st hits, the price jumps. For reference, seasonal badges usually hover around $40 pre-season and $50 after the deadline.
Weekly badges? They’re roughly $20.
Daily badges? Usually $10 or $12.
Don't lose them. Seriously. If you lose a seasonal badge, the Borough of Surf City has a very strict "no replacements" policy. You’ll be buying a new one at full price. It feels harsh, but with thousands of people on the beach, they can't exactly track who actually bought one and who's just trying to score a freebie. Safety pins are your best friend here. Pin it to your hat, your bag, or your cooler—just don't let it vanish into the Atlantic.
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Where to Buy Them (Don't Wander Aimlessly)
You can't just buy these at any old convenience store. The main hub is the Surf City Badge Office, located right at 9th Street and Shore Avenue. It’s tucked behind the Borough Hall.
During the height of summer, the line can get long. Really long. If you're arriving on a Saturday for your rental check-in, expect a wait.
The Digital Shift
Lately, Surf City has embraced the Viply app or similar mobile platforms like MyBeachMobile. This is a game-changer. You buy the badge on your phone, show the QR code at the badge office, and they hand you the physical plastic.
Important Note: A digital receipt is NOT a badge. You still have to go to the office to pick up the physical tag. You cannot just show a badge checker your phone screen on the sand. They need to see that plastic hanging off your swimsuit.
Buying on the Beach
If you're lazy or just forgot, you can usually buy daily badges directly from the checkers on the beach. They walk around with big rings of badges. However, they mostly take cash. Some carry tablets for cards now, but the signal on the beach is famously spotty. Bring a twenty. It saves everyone the headache.
Who Gets a Pass?
Not everyone has to pay. Surf City is actually pretty generous compared to some other Jersey Shore towns.
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- Kids: If they are 11 years old or younger, they’re free. Once they hit 12, they need a badge.
- Seniors: If you’re 65 or older, you can get a senior badge for a significantly discounted rate (often around $10 for the whole season). You’ll need to show an ID with your birthdate at the office.
- Veterans: This is a big one. Active military and veterans can often get badges for free or at a deep discount, thanks to state laws and local ordinances. You usually need to show your DD-214 or a valid military ID.
Why Do We Even Do This?
It’s easy to get annoyed at the "Beach Police" (the teenagers in the yellow shirts), but the revenue from Surf City beach badges is legally earmarked. Under New Jersey’s Public Trust Doctrine, towns can charge for beach access, but they aren't allowed to make a "profit" that goes into the general fund for things like fixing police cars or paving inland roads.
Every cent stays on the beach. It pays for:
- The Beach Patrol: Lifeguards are expensive. They need stands, jet skis, radios, and training.
- Trash Removal: Have you seen how much garbage a family of five leaves behind?
- Beach Grooming: Those tractors that sift the sand every morning aren't cheap.
- Public Restrooms: Surf City maintains restrooms at the Borough Hall/Beach Office area.
The "Sneak" Factor and Enforcement
Look, we've all seen people try to dodge the badge checkers. They wait until the checker passes and then run into the water. Or they hide under a towel.
Honestly? It's not worth it. The checkers are usually local college kids just trying to do a job. If you get caught without one, they’ll just ask you to buy a daily badge on the spot. If you refuse, they’ll ask you to leave. If you get combative, the actual Surf City PD might get involved, and then you’re looking at a fine that costs way more than a $50 seasonal badge.
The checkers usually stop working around 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM. If you're looking for a "free" sunset walk, that's your window. But if you want to swim while the lifeguards are on duty (which you should, because the shore break in Surf City can be brutal), you need the tag.
The Surf City Vibe vs. Other LBI Towns
Surf City is unique. It’s more commercial than Loveladies but quieter than Beach Haven. The beaches are wide, but the dunes are protected.
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When you buy a Surf City badge, remember it is only for Surf City. LBI is a patchwork of different municipalities. If you wander too far south into Ship Bottom or too far north into North Beach, your Surf City badge is worthless. The borders are marked by signs, but it’s easy to miss them when you’re walking the shoreline. If you see a badge checker with a different colored shirt, you've probably crossed the line.
Surfing and Fishing Rules
It’s called "Surf City" for a reason. But you can't just hurl a surfboard into the water anywhere you want during the day.
Designated surfing beaches are moved around based on conditions, but they are clearly marked with flags. Usually, fishing is prohibited near the swimming areas between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Do you need a badge to surf? Yes.
Do you need a badge to fish? Yes.
If your feet are on the sand during guarded hours, you need the plastic.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make your vacation actually feel like a vacation, don't leave the badge situation until the last minute.
- Check the Borough Website: Before you drive over the bridge, check the official Surf City website for the current year's exact pricing. They usually post the updated rates in March or April.
- Buy Pre-Season: If you know you're coming, buy your badges by mail or through the app before May 31st. You’ll save enough for a round of mini-golf or a couple of scoops at The Melt Down.
- Download the App: Even if you prefer physical badges, having the app ready makes the transaction at the window much faster.
- Respect the Dunes: Never, ever walk over the dunes to get to the beach. Use the designated street-end entrances. Walking on the dunes can result in a massive fine—much higher than a badge fee—because it destroys the beach's natural defense against storms.
- Pack Safety Pins: Buy a pack of heavy-duty safety pins at the CVS on the way into town. The flimsy ones that come with the badges often bend or pop open.
Surf City is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in New Jersey. The water is crisp, the view of the Barnegat Lighthouse in the distance is killer, and the community is tight-knit. Paying for a badge is just your way of keeping the place pristine for the next summer. Use the 9th Street office for all your questions, grab your tags early, and get out there before the prime spots are taken.