The best Asbury Park beach for families with small children is the city beach between 1st and 7th Avenue, because it is guarded all summer and has free playgrounds right on the sand at 2nd and 7th Avenue that need no beach pass. Children 12 and under get on free. Just south, Ocean Grove guards its beach from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and allows swimming only where lifeguards are on duty, and Bradley Beach beyond it has restrooms at four streets. One stretch is not for swimming at all, the surfing beach between 8th Avenue and Deal Lake Drive. We travel slowly with kids, one beach a day and a long afternoon in the water, so a guarded beach near a restroom matters more to us than a view. By the end you will know which beach suits your family and what to leave at home.
Before You Go: The Rules for Every Asbury Park Beach
- Beach passes: Asbury Park requires a beach pass from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. A day pass is $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays, an adult season badge is $70, and children 12 and under are free. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Lifeguards: From Memorial Day weekend to June 12, lifeguards work weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. From June 13 through Labor Day they work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends and holidays. The city asks everyone not to swim when lifeguards are off duty. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Tents and umbrellas: Tents, camping tents and canopies are banned, with a fine of up to $250. Umbrellas up to 6 feet across are allowed, and so are infant sun shades smaller than 3 feet high, 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- In the water: Flotation devices are not permitted in the water, and nobody may swim during an electrical storm. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Food and drink: Alcohol and glass are banned. Small coolers are fine, but not over 16 quarts, and cooking on the beach is not allowed. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed only on the Asbury Park Dog Beach, and from May 16 to September 14 only from 6 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. They are not allowed on the Boardwalk over those dates. (City of Asbury Park, Dogs and Dog Beach rules)
Asbury Park Beaches at a Glance
| Beach | Lifeguards | Parking | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury Park beach, 1st to 4th Avenue | Weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to June 12, then 9 to 5 on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends through Labor Day (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk) | Pay-by-plate meters on the street and in city lots | Toddlers who want a playground and the water in one stop |
| Asbury Park beach, 5th to 7th Avenue | Weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to June 12, then 9 to 5 on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends through Labor Day (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk) | Pay-by-plate meters on the street and in city lots, plus the Bangs Avenue garage on weekends | Families who want the 7th Avenue playground and a restroom that stays open late |
| Ocean Grove beach | 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends from Memorial Day weekend, then daily from June 19 to September 7, 2026 (Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Visiting the Beach) | Not listed on the association’s beach page | A quieter day |
| Bradley Beach | Weekends from Memorial Day weekend, then 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends and holidays in the full season (Borough of Bradley Beach, Beach Department) | Meters at $2 an hour, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Sunday after Labor Day | Families who want a borough beach with restrooms at four streets |
| The surfing beach, 8th Avenue to Deal Lake Drive | Surfing only, and no swimming is permitted (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk) | Pay-by-plate meters on the street and in city lots | Older kids booked into a surf lesson |
| Asbury Park Dog Beach | A dog beach rather than a swimming beach (City of Asbury Park, Dogs and Dog Beach rules) | Fisherman’s Parking Lot at the north end | Families traveling with the dog |
Which Beach for Which Family
- Toddlers and first swimmers: the city beach at 2nd or 7th Avenue, next to the free playgrounds on the sand (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk).
- A quieter day: Ocean Grove, where bathing is allowed only at guarded beaches (Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Visiting the Beach).
- A wheelchair user: the city beach, with ramps and mobile mats at every entrance, beach chairs from any ticket booth and WaterWheels adaptive chairs by reservation (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk, City of Asbury Park, WaterWheels reservations).
- Surfers: the surfing beach between 8th Avenue and Deal Lake Drive, with lessons from Summertime Surf (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk).
- The dog: the Dog Beach at Deal Lake Drive, 6 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. in season (City of Asbury Park, Dogs and Dog Beach rules).
The Six Asbury Park Beaches, One by One
Asbury Park beach, 1st to 4th Avenue
Toddlers who want a playground and the water in one stop, since the 2nd Avenue playground sits on the sand and needs no beach pass. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Run by: City of Asbury Park.
- Where: The south half of the city beach, from the Beach Office at 1st Avenue and the Boardwalk up to 4th Avenue.
- Lifeguards: Weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to June 12, then 9 to 5 on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends through Labor Day (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk).
- The water: Atlantic. During staffed hours, buoys and ropes mark off the swimming areas. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Parking: Pay-by-plate meters on the street and in city lots.
- Fees: Beach pass from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends, free for children 12 and under.
- Facilities: A free playground on the sand at 2nd Avenue, restrooms at 1st and 4th Avenue, showers at most entrances, and chair and umbrella rentals at 1st, 2nd and 3rd Avenue.
- Hours and season: Restrooms 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 1st Avenue and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 4th Avenue, May 22 to September 19, 2026.
- Good to know: The Beach Office at 1st Avenue sells passes and answers questions at 732-502-8863.
- Source: City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk, City of Asbury Park, Parking for Visitors, checked September 30, 2026.
Asbury Park beach, 5th to 7th Avenue
Families who want the 7th Avenue playground and a restroom that stays open late, since Convention Hall’s is open until midnight. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Run by: City of Asbury Park.
- Where: The north half of the city beach, from 5th Avenue past Convention Hall to the 7th Avenue beach booth.
- Lifeguards: Weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to June 12, then 9 to 5 on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends through Labor Day (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk).
- The water: Atlantic. During staffed hours, buoys and ropes mark off the swimming areas. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Parking: Pay-by-plate meters on the street and in city lots, plus the Bangs Avenue garage on weekends.
- Fees: Beach pass from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends, free for children 12 and under.
- Facilities: A free playground on the sand at 7th Avenue, restrooms at Convention Hall and 7th Avenue, and chair and umbrella rentals at 5th, 6th and 7th Avenue.
- Hours and season: Convention Hall restrooms 6 a.m. to midnight every day of the year, 7th Avenue restrooms 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in season.
- Good to know: The 7th Avenue booth sells season badges from Memorial Day weekend and takes cash.
- Source: City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk, City of Asbury Park, Parking for Visitors, checked September 30, 2026.
Ocean Grove beach
A quieter day, since the association describes its beach as relief from the commercialism and noise of other New Jersey beaches. (Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Visiting the Beach)
- Run by: Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.
- Where: The next beach south of Asbury Park, entered only through the designated boardwalk entrances.
- Lifeguards: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends from Memorial Day weekend, then daily from June 19 to September 7, 2026 (Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Visiting the Beach).
- The water: Atlantic. Bathing is allowed only at guarded beaches. (Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Visiting the Beach)
- Parking: Not listed on the association’s beach page.
- Fees: Daily wristband $13, season badge $105, or $54 for ages 12 to 17 and 65 and over, free for children 11 and under.
- Facilities: Beach wheelchairs at the Webb Avenue, Embury Avenue, Ocean Pathway and Bath Avenue entrances with no reservation, and summer events such as a sandcastle contest and family movie nights.
- Hours and season: The Beach Office stays open until 5:30 p.m. on lifeguard days, selling day passes until 4:30 p.m..
- Good to know: For 155 years the association closed the beach on Sunday mornings. It now opens them under a state order it is challenging, so check its page before a Sunday.
- Source: Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Visiting the Beach, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, beach badges, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Sunday morning beach access, checked September 30, 2026.
Bradley Beach
Families who want a borough beach with restrooms at four streets. (Borough of Bradley Beach, Beach Department)
- Run by: Borough of Bradley Beach.
- Where: The borough beach south of Ocean Grove.
- Lifeguards: Weekends from Memorial Day weekend, then 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends and holidays in the full season (Borough of Bradley Beach, Beach Department).
- The water: Atlantic. The borough prohibits swimming in unprotected waters and at night. (Borough of Bradley Beach, Beach Department)
- Parking: Meters at $2 an hour, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., from the Saturday before Memorial Day to the Sunday after Labor Day.
- Fees: Daily badge $14, weekly $48, adult season $90, $35 for ages 13 to 15 and 65 and over, free for children 12 and under.
- Facilities: Restrooms at Cliff, LaReine, Third and Evergreen, and beach wheelchairs on request.
- Hours and season: Nobody may stay on the beach after midnight.
- Good to know: Tents are banned except baby tents up to 48 inches high, 49 wide and 36 deep, and dogs are not allowed on the beach from May 16 to September 30.
- Source: Borough of Bradley Beach, Beach Department, checked September 30, 2026.
The surfing beach, 8th Avenue to Deal Lake Drive
Older kids booked into a surf lesson. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Run by: City of Asbury Park.
- Where: Between the jetties at Eighth Avenue and Deal Lake Drive, at the north end of the city.
- Lifeguards: Surfing only, and no swimming is permitted (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk).
- The water: Atlantic, set aside for surfing between the two jetties. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
- Parking: Pay-by-plate meters on the street and in city lots.
- Fees: The city’s beach pass rules apply in season.
- Facilities: Summertime Surf runs surf lessons and a surf camp here, and there is a restroom at Deal Lake Drive.
- Hours and season: The city posts each summer’s surfing beach dates once they are confirmed.
- Good to know: The family swim belongs south of 8th Avenue, since swimming is not permitted between these jetties.
- Source: City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk, checked September 30, 2026.
Asbury Park Dog Beach
Families traveling with the dog. (City of Asbury Park, Dogs and Dog Beach rules)
- Run by: City of Asbury Park.
- Where: At the north end, through the Deal Lake Drive entrance or the north end of Fisherman’s Parking Lot, not the 8th Avenue entrance from the Boardwalk.
- Lifeguards: A dog beach rather than a swimming beach (City of Asbury Park, Dogs and Dog Beach rules).
- The water: Atlantic. Dogs may be off leash if they are supervised and no seals are present. (City of Asbury Park, Dogs and Dog Beach rules)
- Parking: Fisherman’s Parking Lot at the north end.
- Fees: Dogs must wear a collar with a valid license.
- Facilities: None listed.
- Hours and season: 6 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. from May 16 to September 14, and any time the rest of the year.
- Good to know: Dogs are not allowed on any other Asbury Park beach, and owners who leave a mess face fines of up to $1,000.
- Source: City of Asbury Park, Dogs and Dog Beach rules, checked September 30, 2026.
Not for Swimming
The surfing beach, 8th Avenue to Deal Lake Drive and Asbury Park Dog Beach are worth a visit, but not for a swim. The surfing beach, 8th Avenue to Deal Lake Drive: Surfing only, and no swimming is permitted. Asbury Park Dog Beach: A dog beach rather than a swimming beach. Swim at a guarded beach south of 8th Avenue instead (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk, City of Asbury Park, Dogs and Dog Beach rules).
Where to Stay in Asbury Park
Staying near the Boardwalk puts the beach, both playgrounds and Convention Hall within a walk. Our guide to the best family hotels with pools in Asbury Park scores the hotels with the pools to match.
FAQs About Asbury Park Beaches
Do you need a beach pass in Asbury Park?
Yes, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. A day pass is $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends, and children 12 and under are free. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
When are lifeguards on duty in Asbury Park?
Weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to June 12, then every day through Labor Day, 9 to 5 on weekdays and 9 to 6 on weekends. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
Can you bring a tent to the beach in Asbury Park?
No. Tents and canopies are banned, with a fine of up to $250. Umbrellas up to 6 feet across and small infant shades are allowed. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
Can kids use floaties in the water at Asbury Park?
No. The city does not permit flotation devices in the water. (City of Asbury Park, Beach and Boardwalk)
Is Ocean Grove beach open on Sunday mornings?
Yes, for now. The association says it is complying with a state order to open on Sunday mornings while it challenges it, and it provides lifeguards. (Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Sunday morning beach access)
More Family Travel Guides for Asbury Park
- Things to do in Asbury Park with kids
- The best family hotels with pools in Asbury Park
- Walkable beach towns you can do without a rental car
Every fact on this page was checked against the operator’s own page on September 30, 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the linked page before you go.