Strathmere NJ Beach Guide
Strathmere is part of Upper Township, which requires beach tags for visitors 16 and older.
Tags are required from 9 am to 5 pm, from the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30. Upper Township runs the Strathmere beaches, and Lifeguard Headquarters is at 42 Whittier Road.
No Fly Activity
Based on current conditions, you are fly free! It’s the perfect time to head out and enjoy the beach!
Current Weather for Strathmere, NJ
Humidity: 95%
Wind: SE at 3 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, 2:00 am
Is Strathmere worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a quiet beach with guarded swimming, set surfing and fishing areas and low tag prices.
- Tags only for ages 16 and older
- Free for active military, veterans and one guest
- Seasonal tag $30 preseason
- Surf chairs by reservation
Strathmere quick facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Tag hours | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Tag season | Friday before Memorial Day through September 30 |
| Daily tag | $10 |
| Weekly tag | $20 |
| Seasonal tag | $30 preseason or $45 in season |
| Beach Patrol | 609-263-1151 |
Beach tags
Beach tags are required for visitors 16 and older from 9 am to 5 pm, from the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30. A daily tag is $10, a weekly tag is $20 and a seasonal tag is $30 preseason (October 1 through the Monday after Presidents Day) or $45 in season. Seasonal tags are sold at the Upper Township Clerk’s Office, 2100 Tuckahoe Road, Petersburg, 609-628-2011, and online through Jersey Cape Tags. Daily and weekly tags are digital only through the My Beach Mobile app. Active duty military and eligible veterans get free access for themselves and one guest. Lifeguards do not sell or check tags. See the township tag page.
Guarded beaches
Upper Township guards Strathmere beaches in the summer from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday and 10 am to 5:30 pm Friday through Sunday. Call 609-263-1151 in early June and late August, when guarded beaches can change.
Lifeguards do not sell or check tags. Beach tag checkers handle that.
Accessibility
Beach mats
The township lists a handicap access ramp at Putnam Road.
Beach wheelchairs
Surf chairs are available by reservation and picked up at the stand at Putnam Road or the lifeguard shack at 1400 Commonwealth. Call Beach Headquarters at 609-263-1151.
Public restrooms
The township lists portable toilets at Putnam Road and 1400 Commonwealth.
Additional Strathmere beach rules
Swim at guarded beaches, follow the flags and obey lifeguards.
- No dogs on the beach from March 15 through September 30.
- Surfing is allowed south of Tecumseh and north of Sherman, and fishing south of Prescott and north of Seacliff. Lifeguards may allow more areas by conditions.
- No smoking, vaping or cannabis on beaches, dunes or beach paths.
- Beach parties, fires, fireworks, balloon releases, motor vehicles, alcohol and changing clothes are not allowed.
- Swimming between sunset and sunrise is not allowed.
- Fishing is not allowed within 250 feet of a lifeguard stand from 9 am to 7 pm.
Best time to visit Strathmere
We like the quieter feel here compared with the bigger towns nearby. 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 Strathmere beach tips
- Note where you entered the beach
- Reserve a surf chair ahead
- Buy a seasonal tag preseason for the lower rate
- Pack bug spray and read our greenhead fly guide
A short history of Strathmere
Strathmere’s resort life began with anglers. The National Park Service study Resorts and Recreation says the Whelen Hotel opened here in 1871 for Pennsylvania Railroad workers and fishermen, when the area was known as Corson’s Inlet.
The study says an 1884 rail link between Sea Isle City and Ocean City opened up the north end of the island. The area was called Whale Beach when its first boardwalk was built in 1911, and the name Strathmere became official in 1912. The old trolley line later became a wide avenue running through Strathmere to Ocean City and Avalon.
The same study notes that Strathmere and its neighbor Sea Isle City have both suffered from coastal storms. It says a 1911 hurricane, in the same year the first boardwalk went up, washed away the foundations of homes and flooded most of the island, a reminder to late season residents of the constant threat to their resort economy.
Today we love walking these beaches and picturing the anglers who first came to the Whelen Hotel, back when this little island town was still called Corson’s Inlet.
Strathmere beach FAQ
Do you need a beach tag in Strathmere NJ?
Yes, for visitors 16 and older from 9 am to 5 pm, from the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30. Children under 16 do not need a tag.
How much are Strathmere beach tags?
$10 for a daily tag, $20 for a weekly tag and $45 for a seasonal tag, or $30 preseason.
Is Strathmere its own town?
No. Strathmere is part of Upper Township, which runs the beaches.
Are dogs allowed on Strathmere beaches?
Not from March 15 through September 30.
Are there flies on Strathmere beaches?
Check our daily fly report before you head to the beach.
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