Belmar Beach
4.6(1.8K)google
4.0(104)yelp
SurfingSwimmingFamilyYouth-FriendlySummer RetreatOutdoorOcean ViewBeach
Overview
Belmar is a borough located on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,907, an increase of 113 (+2.0%) from the 2010 census count of 5,794, which in turn reflected a decline of 251 (−4.2%) from the 6,045 counted in the 2000 census. What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration3-6 hours
Best TimeSummer from June through August draws massive travel to its pristine, continuous white-sand surfing beaches. Position yourself along the continuous wooden oceanfront boardwalk between 5:30 PM and sunset on a clear day; the setting sun completely blankets the Atlantic horizon, casting a magnificent warm gold across the breaking waves and beachfront surf shacks.
Getting ThereNestled beautifully framing the coastline along Ocean Ave, Belmar. Driving is seamless; take the Garden State Parkway to Exit 98 for NJ-138 East, which empties directly onto Ocean Avenue at the beach loop. A seasonal municipal beach badge is strictly required for sand access; the borough operates extensive, diagonal parallel pay surface parking lots.
Travel Tips
- Beach Badges are legally mandated for sand entry from Memorial Day through Labor Day between 09:00 and 17:00; skip the lines by pre-purchasing access via the MyBelmar app.
- Ocean Ave parking utilizes a digital-only system via the ParkMobile app (Zone 58101) with zero physical meters; vehicles parked without active digital license plate registration face immediate towing.
- Local municipal ordinances strictly prohibit smoking, glass containers, and pets on the sand; a total swimming ban goes into effect immediately following afternoon lifeguard departure at 18:00.
Reviews
Positive
- The sand is fine and clean with daily morning sweepers; the beach is wide and heavily staffed by attentive lifeguards for top safety.
- The boardwalk is beautifully maintained without cluttered commercial shops blocking the ocean view, ideal for morning runs and biking.
- Features convenient digital street parking, with public restrooms and outdoor foot-washing stations available at almost every street entrance.
- The town offers a vibrant Jersey Shore atmosphere without the chaotic clutter of Atlantic City, making it highly family-friendly.
Heads up
- You must purchase a pricey daily beach badge to access the sand in summer, making entry costs very high for an entire family.
- Proximity to NY means summer weekend crowds are intense, leaving the sand covered in towels with barely any personal space.
- Street parking along the beach is expensive with strict time limits, and parking enforcement is aggressive with tickets.
- The boardwalk itself has almost no shade pavilions, leaving visitors prone to sunburn under midday sun without cheap water refill spots.