Ocean City NJ Beach Guide
Ocean City requires a beach tag for everyone 12 and older from early June through Labor Day, and lifeguards work from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 5:30 pm on weekends and holidays.
Ocean City has eight miles of beaches, with designated surf beaches, mobility mats, surf chairs and free boardwalk wheelchairs at the Music Pier.
Minimal Fly Activity
Based on current conditions, encountering flies at the beach today is low. Keep an eye on the weather for any changes and enjoy the beach!
Current Weather for Ocean City, NJ
Humidity: 95%
Wind: SSW at 9 mph
UV Index: 0.0
Sunrise: 6:30 AM
Sunset: 4:53 PM
Ocean Temperature
60.3 °F
Last Tide
Low Tide
11/4/2026, 9:55 PM
Next Tide
High Tide
11/5/2026, 4:13 AM
Forecast updated every 15 minutes. Last update: November 5, 2026, 2:15 am
Is Ocean City worth visiting?
Yes, if you want long guarded beaches, a busy boardwalk and strong accessibility services.
- Eight miles of beaches
- Four surfing areas
- Surf chairs and mobility mats
- Free boardwalk wheelchairs at the Music Pier
Ocean City quick facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Season tag | $30 through May 31, $35 from June 1 |
| Weekly, daily | $20, $10 |
| Tags required | Early June through Labor Day, ages 12 and older |
| Lifeguards | 10 am to 5 pm weekdays, 10 am to 5:30 pm weekends and holidays, Memorial Day weekend to mid September |
| Dogs on beach | October 1 to April 30 only, leashed |
| Beach Patrol HQ | 609-525-9200 |
Beach tags
Everyone 12 and older needs a tag from early June through Labor Day, and tag sales pay for beach upkeep. Seasonal tags are $30 through May 31 and $35 from June 1. Weekly tags are $20 and daily tags are $10. Buy seasonal tags online at store.ocnj.us, by mail with a $5 handling fee and a limit of 10 tags, or in person at City Hall, 861 Asbury Avenue, the Route 52 Welcome Center, the Henry Knight Building at 12th Street and Haven Avenue, the Aquatic and Fitness Center at 17th Street and Simpson Avenue, the 46th Street Welcome Center and the Music Pier in season. Tag sellers also work the beach entrances in season. Veterans and active military members get free military tags. Call ahead to confirm hours at 609-399-6111.
Guarded beaches
The Ocean City Beach Patrol guards beaches from Memorial Day weekend to mid September, from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 5:30 pm on weekends and holidays. Guarded beaches change through the season and stands may not sit at street ends, so check the Ocean City Beach Patrol page for the current list. Beach Patrol headquarters is at 1st Street and the beach, 609-525-9200.
When lifeguards are on duty, surfing is allowed at Waverly Boulevard, 7th Street, 16th Street and beaches south of 36th Street where lifeguard stands are three blocks apart.
Fishing is allowed only on the 5th Street jetty, and fishing on guarded beaches is banned during guarded hours from Memorial Day to September 30. Driving on the beach is allowed only for surf fishing with a permit from the Ocean City Police Department, from September 15 to May 15.
Accessibility
Beach mats
Mobility mats are at Surf Road, Waverly Beach off East Atlantic Boulevard, Stenton Place, 14th Street, 34th Street and 58th Street.
Beach wheelchairs
Free surf chairs for all ages are loaned from the 46th Street Information Center at 46th Street and West Avenue, next to the firehouse, from 9 am to 4 pm, by the day or for up to one week. Call 609-554-0352 for information. Beach Patrol stations at 1st, 12th, 34th and 58th Streets also have surf chairs. Free boardwalk wheelchairs are loaned for two hours at a time, first come first served, at the Music Pier Information Center on the boardwalk between 8th and 9th Streets, 609-399-6111 extension 9337.
Public restrooms
Accessible public restrooms are at 1st Street, 6th Street, the Music Pier, 10th Street, 11th Street, 12th Street, the 34th Street Playground and the 58th Street Beach. Family restrooms are at 1st, 6th and 12th Streets. The 13th Street Bikes and Bath House at 13th Street and the Boardwalk is a private business with paid showers and changing rooms, 609-399-7121.
Additional Ocean City Beach Rules
Carry your trash off the beach and follow lifeguard instructions.
- Smoking and vaping are banned on the beach, beach paths and boardwalk.
- Ocean City is a dry town, and alcohol is not allowed on the beach.
- Fires and barbecues are banned all year.
- Dogs are allowed on the beach only from October 1 to April 30, on a leash, and never between the Longport bridge and the terminal groin from March 15 to September 30.
- Stay off the dunes and do not feed the gulls.
- Tents and canopies can be no larger than 10 by 10 feet, and unsafe ball playing is not allowed.
- From 8 pm to 1 am, May 15 to September 15, bags larger than 8 by 6 by 8 inches are not allowed on the boardwalk.
Best time to visit Ocean City
We love September here, when the water is still warm and tags are no longer required after Labor Day. For quieter weeks read our guide to the Jersey Shore after Labor Day.
More beaches to compare
- Read the ultimate Jersey Shore beach guide
- Compare breaks in our Jersey Shore surf spot guide
- Check tag costs in the beach tag price guide
Our Ocean City beach tips
- Buy seasonal tags by May 31 to save $5
- Reserve a surf chair at the 46th Street Information Center
- Surf at Waverly Boulevard, 7th Street, 16th Street or south of 36th Street
- Pack bug spray and read our greenhead fly guide
A short history of Ocean City
Before it was a family resort, this island was known as Peck’s Beach. The City of Ocean City history page explains that the stretch of dunes, meadows and cedar swamps was probably named for John Peck, a whaler who used the island as a staging spot. It also served as a summer fishing camp for Native Americans and as grazing land for cattle.
In 1879 four Methodist ministers, Ezra B. Lake, James Lake, S. Wesley Lake and William Burrell, chose the island for a Christian retreat modeled on Ocean Grove. They met under a cedar tree that still stands at 6th Street and Asbury Avenue, then formed the Ocean City Association, laid out streets and sold lots. The first bridge opened in 1883.
A large fire in 1927 destroyed much of the boardwalk, and the city answered with the Music Pier, dedicated on July 4, 1929, where the Municipal Orchestra played twice a day. The city recovery report records that the March 1962 storm damaged 6,195 homes, and that Sandy brought floodwaters over seven feet on October 29, 2012, with about $17 million in public repairs.
Ocean City came back each time. The Music Pier still hosts the Ocean City Pops, and the historic district walking tour points to landmarks like City Hall, built in 1914. We still think of that old cedar every time we head up Asbury Avenue.
Ocean City beach FAQ
Do you need beach tags in Ocean City NJ?
Yes. Everyone 12 and older needs a tag from early June through Labor Day.
How much are Ocean City beach tags?
Seasonal tags are $30 through May 31 and $35 from June 1. Weekly tags are $20 and daily tags are $10.
Where can you buy Ocean City beach tags?
Online at store.ocnj.us, by mail, at City Hall, 861 Asbury Avenue, the Route 52 and 46th Street welcome centers, the Henry Knight Building, the Aquatic and Fitness Center, the Music Pier in season and at beach entrances.
When are Ocean City beaches guarded?
From Memorial Day weekend to mid September, 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 5:30 pm on weekends and holidays.
Where can you surf in Ocean City?
At Waverly Boulevard, 7th Street, 16th Street and beaches south of 36th Street where lifeguard stands are three blocks apart.
Can you borrow a beach wheelchair in Ocean City?
Yes. Surf chairs are loaned from the 46th Street Information Center from 9 am to 4 pm, and free boardwalk wheelchairs are loaned at the Music Pier.
Are dogs allowed on Ocean City beaches?
Only from October 1 to April 30, on a leash.
Can you smoke on Ocean City beaches?
No. Smoking and vaping are banned on the beach, beach paths and boardwalk.
Can you drink alcohol on Ocean City beaches?
No. Alcohol is not allowed on the beach.
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