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Major city · United States

Long Beach IslandLBI

Go for 3–4 nights in season, based in Beach Haven or Surf City, with a car: the island is 29 km (18 mi) of beach and one road, and winter shuts most of it down.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Long Beach Island is an 18-mile barrier island off Ocean County, New Jersey, reached only by the Route 72 causeway at Manahawkin — there is no road in at either end. It runs on a summer season from mid-May to October, then largely closes. Come for the ocean beaches, the Barnegat lighthouse at the north tip, and a slow bike-and-eat rhythm; a car is close to essential, and beach badges are required in season.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Sep for beach weather; late May and Sep–early Oct for fewer crowds
avoid Nov–Mar (most businesses closed); peak Jul–Aug weekends for traffic and waits
Airports
PHL · EWR · ACY
Nights
3–4
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Long Beach Island911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Long Beach Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Sit-down mealCasual lunch or dinner main$12–28
  • Street or quick mealBreakfast plate$8–16
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Budget bedWeekly rental house (per night, 7-night minimum in season), a night, per roomUS$250
  • Mid-range bedMotel or simple hotel room, a night, per roomUS$200
  • High-end bedMotel or simple hotel room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

18 miles of ocean beachBarnegat Lighthouse State ParkBeach Haven and Bay VillageFantasy Island and Thundering SurfBike paths along Long Beach Boulevard
Airports
PHL Philadelphia International (About 1 h 30 min by car via the Garden State Parkway and Route 72) · EWR Newark Liberty International (About 1 h 45 min by car) · ACY Atlantic City International (About 1 h by car; smaller, fewer flights)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    11°C (52°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  5. May

    Best*

    21°C (70°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  7. Jul

    Care

    29°C (84°F)

  8. Aug

    Care

    28°C (82°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  10. Oct

    Best*

    19°C (66°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Long Beach Island: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

5°C (41°F)

−3°C (27°F)

10 rd

Feb

7°C (45°F)

−2°C (28°F)

9 rd

Mar

11°C (52°F)

2°C (36°F)

10 rd

Apr

16°C (61°F)

7°C (45°F)

10 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

12°C (54°F)

10 rd

Jun

26°C (79°F)

17°C (63°F)

9 rd

Jul

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

9 rd

Aug

28°C (82°F)

20°C (68°F)

9 rd

Sep

25°C (77°F)

16°C (61°F)

8 rd

Oct

19°C (66°F)

10°C (50°F)

8 rd

Nov

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

0°C (32°F)

10 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical default: Long Beach Boulevard runs the length of the island and the Route 72 causeway at Manahawkin is the only way on or off. Bikes work well in season — rental shops sit along the boulevard and racks are at most beach entrances. A seasonal shuttle has run the island from late June to Labor Day at a low flat fare, higher after early evening. Uber/Lyft are easy in summer, scarce off-season.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

go

Door to door: 20–40 min from mid-island

Drive Long Beach Boulevard north to the island's tip, then left onto Broadway

Park is free; a small fee applies to climb the lighthouse (check hours and price).

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Holgate unit)

go

Door to door: 20–30 min from Beach Haven

Drive Long Beach Boulevard south until it becomes S Bay Ave, to the end

Free; wilderness area, no wheeled vehicles. Parking and a restroom at the end of the road.

Toms River

caution

Door to door: About 40–50 min

Car via Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway

Mainland errands and bigger stores; not a beach day.

Seaside Heights

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Car north via the Parkway

Boardwalk and rides; a different, busier shore scene.

Point Pleasant Beach

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Car north via the Parkway

Boardwalk, aquarium and a walkable downtown.

Atlantic Citycaution

Door to door: About 1 h

Car south via the Garden State Parkway

Casinos and the boardwalk; a full evening rather than a quick stop.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Beach Haven

South end: Bay Village shops, Fantasy Island, Thundering Surf, most restaurants. Best for families and a walkable evening.

Surf City

Mid-island, north of the causeway: quieter, close to the bridge and to Barnegat Light by car.

Ship Bottom

Where Route 72 meets the island: the most convenient base if you arrive by car and want to move around.

Barnegat Light / Harvey Cedars

North end: lighthouse, state park, fewer services; good for a quiet stay, longer drives to dinner.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–150 excl. bed
Mid
$150–260 excl. bed
High
$260+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or simple hotel room1 × 3 nights × US$200US$600
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$170US$1,020
Beach badge, one person, one week2 × US$20US$40
Bike rental, one day2 × US$25US$50
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$174
Trip total≈ US$319 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,914

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Breakfast plate$8–16
Pizza slice$3–6
Casual lunch or dinner main$12–28
Beach badge: season / weekly / dailyvaries by borough$18–30 / $15–20 / $5–6
Mini-golf round$8–12
Water-park day ticket$24–26
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A low-crime seasonal beach town; the real risks are rip currents, sun and heat, bikes and cars sharing the boulevard, and drinking before driving. Swim near lifeguards and between the flags.
  • Beach badges are required in season and checked on the sand; buy from the borough, not a reseller.
  • Swim only between the flags while lifeguards are on duty — usually daylight until late afternoon.
  • Drunk-driving enforcement is strict; arrange a ride before a night out.
  • Summer weekend traffic backs up on Route 72 onto the island; cross before mid-morning or after dinner.
  • Many restaurants take no reservations and waits can run long on changeover weekends.
  • Most of the island shuts down from November to March: check that your hotel and any restaurant are open.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Long Beach IslandLBI

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies on the island; nearest consulates are in New York and Philadelphia.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Seasonal island shuttle: $2 before 7 pm, $5 after 7 pm
  • Summer bus from New York City: about $40 adult, one daily departure, late June to early October
  • Bike rental, one day: about $25

Say or show

  • Where's the beach entrance? — Where is the beach entrance?
  • Do I need a beach badge here? — Do I need a beach badge here?
  • Is the water safe for swimming today? — Is the water safe for swimming today?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • How far is it to Beach Haven? — How far is it to Beach Haven?

US SIM or eSIM is the easy option; coverage is good on the island, patchier on the refuge trails.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Long Beach Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep for beach weather; late May and Sep–early Oct for fewer crowds · avoid Nov–Mar (most businesses closed); peak Jul–Aug weekends for traffic and waits · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for PHL, EWR and ACY with field-checked drive times and a summer bus fallback.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, Surf City, Barnegat Light.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and fees (Barnegat Lighthouse, LBI Historical Museum, Fantasy Island, Thundering Surf) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Seasonal-closure fixtures so winter arrivals get a clear go/no-go before booking.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources