Wildwood Crest NJ Beach Guide
Wildwood Crest beaches are free with no beach tags, and the sand stretches about 2 miles from Jefferson Avenue to Cresse Avenue. It is the southern end of the Wildwoods, with surfing only beaches, free beach wheelchairs and a beach patrol founded in 1914. We think it is a great pick for families who want the Wildwoods with a little more breathing room.
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 Wildwood Crest, NJ
Humidity: 97%
Wind: S at 10 mph
UV Index: 0.0
Sunrise: 6:30 AM
Sunset: 4:54 PM
Ocean Temperature
61.0 °F
Last Tide
Low Tide
11/4/2026, 10:57 PM
Next Tide
High Tide
11/5/2026, 5:16 AM
Forecast updated every 15 minutes. Last update: November 5, 2026, 2:15 am
Is Wildwood Crest worth visiting?
Yes, if you want the Wildwoods with quieter sand, beginner friendly surf and free beach wheelchairs. Our Jersey Shore surf spot guide calls Wildwood Crest a hidden gem and one of the best picks for beginners, and our beach tag price guide shows what tagged towns charge.
- About 2 miles of guarded sand
- Three Surfing Only beaches
- Free beach wheelchairs and transport
Wildwood Crest quick facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Beach fees | None |
| Beach length | About 2 miles, Jefferson Avenue to Cresse Avenue |
| Lifeguard hours | 10 am to 5:30 pm |
| Guarded season | Weekends from the last weekend in May, daily mid-June through Labor Day weekend |
| Surfing Only beaches | Hollywood Avenue (10 am to noon only), Rambler Road and Aster Road |
| Beach wheelchairs | Free at WCBP headquarters, Rambler Road and the beach |
| Handicap transport | Free, 11 am to 4 pm, 609-522-3825 |
| Dogs | October through April, on a leash |
| Beach driving | Sport fishing vehicles, October 1 to April 30, 6 am to 8 pm, license required |
Beach tags
Wildwood Crest beaches are free, with no beach tags required. You can reach the sand at every street end.
Guarded beaches
The Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol was established in 1914. On any given day the patrol has 56 lifeguards, 6 supervising lieutenants and 2 medical personnel. During the busy season the beach patrol will have approximately 28 lifeguard chairs at the water’s edge.
- Lifeguard coverage is 10 am to 5:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays (and Memorial Day) from the last weekend in May until mid-June and then daily from mid-June through Labor Day weekend on all Wildwood Crest beaches
- Some beaches will be protected from Tuesday through Friday during the week after Labor Day weekend
- All beaches are protected on the weekend after Labor Day weekend
Accessibility
Beach wheelchairs
Free beach wheelchairs are available at the WCBP headquarters at Rambler Road and the beach. Pick up starts at 10 am and chairs must be returned by 5 pm.
Handicap transport
Free handicap transport is available from 11 am to 4 pm while lifeguards are on duty. Call 609-522-3825 to make arrangements.
Beach vehicle permits
In Wildwood Crest, sport fishing vehicles are allowed on the beach from October 1 to April 30, 6 am to 8 pm, with a license. Access can change with beach and weather conditions, so contact the local police department or Borough offices before you go.
Important Wildwood Crest beach regulations
Kite flying, ball playing and Frisbees are restricted to the back areas of the beach. Swimming is permitted only in designated areas where lifeguards are on duty. Alcohol is not allowed on the beach at any time. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the beach. Dogs are allowed on the beach from October through April, on a leash. Barbecues and picnics are not permitted, and fires are not allowed unless authorized by the Board of Commissioners. Surf fishing is prohibited in bathing areas during bathing hours. Beachgoers must dispose of trash properly in the receptacles on the beach. The beach is closed from 11 pm to 6 am.
The boardwalk starts in the Crest
Wildwood Crest is the southern town on the island the Wildwoods share with Wildwood and North Wildwood. The Wildwoods boardwalk runs 38 blocks and almost 2.5 miles, from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest to 15th Avenue in North Wildwood. Walk north from the Crest for the piers, arcades and the Sightseer Tram Car, all covered in our Wildwood NJ beach and boardwalk guide. For more sand across the state, read our ultimate Jersey Shore beach guide.
Where to eat and drink in Wildwood Crest
Our local guides already cover the Crest. Start with our 10 best pizza spots in the Wildwoods.
- Sal’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant blends Brooklyn style pizza with Sicilian recipes
- Carini’s Pizza is a popular choice for families staying in the Crest
- Turtle Gut pours specialty espresso overlooking Sunset Lake
Find more morning stops in our favorite Jersey Shore coffee shops.
Surfing in Wildwood Crest
- Hollywood Avenue is Surfing Only from 10 am to noon
- Rambler Road is a Surfing Only beach
- Aster Road is a Surfing Only beach
- Ocean Outfitters runs surf camps and lessons in the Crest
- Compare camps in our Jersey Shore surf camp guide
Best time to visit Wildwood Crest
Summer is the full beach season, and after Labor Day weekend the crowds thin out. We explain why locals love that stretch in our guide to the Jersey Shore after Labor Day, and our Jersey Shore fall events by town lists the 5 Mile Beach races in Wildwood Crest.
Our Wildwood Crest tips
- Keep kites, balls and Frisbees in the back areas of the beach
- Plan dog walks for October through April, on a leash
- Pack bug spray for the bay side and read our greenhead fly guide
A short history of Wildwood Crest
Wildwood Crest was planned by the same family that built Wildwood. A National Register study of the Wildwoods motels says the Bakers bought land for the Crest in 1905. The Wildwood Crest Historical Society says Sunset Lake was dredged, the streets were given floral names, and Baker Crest Thurber became the first baby born here on September 9, 1906.
The society says a 30 foot arch went up in 1907. Governor Fort decreed the borough on April 6, 1910, when 28 of 103 residents voted and Philip P. Baker became the first mayor. The Baker mansion was built in 1912, and the society says it still stands.
By the 1920s the beach had widened, the society says, and the new Atlantic Avenue and Ocean Avenue were cut through. The motels study says motels were not allowed east of Atlantic Avenue until 1954, but by 1956 most land beside the beach was open to them. It names the Caribbean Motel of 1958 and the Pan American Hotel of 1963.
The Wildwoods declined in the 1970s and revived in the 1980s, and the 2003 study called the motels the defining elements of the area’s architectural character. We love waking up in one of them and walking to the beach.
Wildwood Crest FAQ
Do you need beach tags in Wildwood Crest?
No. Wildwood Crest beaches are free, with no beach tags required.
How long is the Wildwood Crest beach?
The Wildwood Crest beach stretches approximately 2 miles from Jefferson Avenue in the south to Cresse Avenue in the north.
When are Wildwood Crest beaches guarded?
Lifeguard coverage is 10 am to 5:30 pm. Beaches are guarded Saturdays and Sundays (and Memorial Day) from the last weekend in May until mid-June and then daily from mid-June through Labor Day weekend. Some beaches are protected Tuesday through Friday during the week after Labor Day weekend, and all beaches are protected on the weekend after Labor Day weekend.
Where can you surf in Wildwood Crest?
Surfing is permitted at Hollywood Avenue (10 am to noon only), Rambler Road and Aster Road.
Are dogs allowed on Wildwood Crest beaches?
Dogs are allowed on the beach from October through April, on a leash. They are not allowed on the beach from May through September.
Can you get a free beach wheelchair in Wildwood Crest?
Yes. Free beach wheelchairs are available at the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol headquarters at Rambler Road and the beach. Pick up starts at 10 am and chairs must be returned by 5 pm. Free handicap transport runs from 11 am to 4 pm while lifeguards are on duty. Call 609-522-3825 to make arrangements.
Can you drive on the beach in Wildwood Crest?
Sport fishing vehicles are allowed on the beach from October 1 to April 30, 6 am to 8 pm, with a license. Contact the local police department or Borough offices for current rules before you go.
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