Wildwood NJ Beach and Boardwalk Guide
Wildwood NJ is known for free beaches with no beach tags and a 38 block boardwalk packed with rides, arcades and food. It sits on a five mile barrier island shared by North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. For families and anyone who loves a classic Jersey Shore boardwalk, we think it is well worth the trip.
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, 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 worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a lively, budget friendly beach town with a classic boardwalk, rides and free events. Our Jersey Shore beach tag price guide shows what other towns charge.
- One of the busiest boardwalks at the Jersey Shore
- Most Wildwoods events are free to attend
Wildwood quick facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Beach fees | None. No beach tags, wristbands or permits |
| The island | Five miles long, shared by three towns |
| Boardwalk length | 38 blocks, almost 2.5 miles |
| Boardwalk route | Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest to 15th Avenue in North Wildwood |
| Amusement piers | Three Morey’s Piers with over 100 rides and attractions |
| Tram car fare | $5 per rider one way |
| Lifeguard hours | 10 am to 5:30 pm in season |
| Places to stay | Over 8,000 hotel and motel rooms plus about 3,000 vacation rentals |
Beach tags
Wildwood beaches are free with no beach tags, wristbands or permits required. You can reach the sand at every street end.
Wildwood beaches
You can surf, boogie board, play volleyball or just walk the wide sand. For more sand across the state, read our ultimate Jersey Shore beach guide.
- Lifeguards work 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 beaches
- Andrews Avenue is the designated surfing beach. Surfing and fishing are not allowed on other guarded beaches from 10 am to 5 pm, May 1 to September 30
- The beach is closed from 9 pm to 6 am, May 1 to September 30
- No smoking, fires, open flames, grilling, glass or alcohol on the sand. Alcohol is allowed only at special events permitted by the City
- Swim only in designated areas where lifeguards are on duty
- Dogs are never allowed on the Boardwalk
- Dispose of trash properly in the receptacles on the beach
- From May 15 to October 2, dogs are allowed only on the Dog Beach at Poplar Avenue, on a leash, using the Poplar Avenue entrance
Beach access and comfort stations
- Wildwood Beach Patrol offers handicap transport and answers beach access questions at 609-522-8258
- Ramps run from the boardwalk to the beach at Cresse, Rio Grande, Andrews, Spicer, Schellenger, Maple and Juniper Avenues
- Surf chairs are free at Wildwood Beach Patrol Headquarters at Lincoln Avenue and Ocean Avenue and at the Baker Avenue beach parking lot
- ADA accessible restrooms are at Glenwood, Youngs and Leaming Avenues
- Schellenger Avenue has a ramp from the boardwalk to a beach level comfort station
- Accessible portable restrooms sit on the beach every few blocks
- Beach taxis run the full length and width of the beach. Call 609-846-2012
Beach vehicle permits
Driving on the beach is strictly prohibited without permits. Permits may be obtained through the City Clerk’s Office. Each permit is approved case by case.
The three Wildwoods explained
Locals say “the Wildwoods” because the island holds three towns, North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. One boardwalk ties them together, starting at Cresse Avenue on the Crest line and ending at 15th Avenue in North Wildwood. See how they compare with other towns in our guide to the top Jersey Shore towns.
The Wildwood boardwalk
The boardwalk is the heart of Wildwood. It stretches almost 2.5 miles over more than 70,000 wooden planks, with neon lights, arcades, fudge shops and games of chance.
- Morey’s Piers run three amusement piers with over 100 rides and attractions
- Three beachfront waterparks offer slides, a lazy river and a surf pool
- More than 200 eateries line the boards
- The yellow and blue Sightseer Tram Car has rolled the boards since June 11, 1949
The trams were first built for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. A ride costs $5 one way, and a $13 daytime wristband gives unlimited rides until 5 pm. Kids who love water should also see our Jersey Shore water park guide.
Where to eat and drink in Wildwood
Our local picks cover pizza, dive bars and everything between. Start with our 10 best pizza spots in the Wildwoods.
- Firehouse Tavern in Wildwood is a true neighborhood bar with drink specials and good food
- No. 1 Tavern in North Wildwood is an iconic Shore dive known for its Super Tully Nut
- Ship N Shore in Wildwood is a low key local spot near the water
Find the full list in our guide to the best dive bars at the Jersey Shore, and grab your morning cup with our favorite Jersey Shore coffee shops.
Getting around and parking in Wildwood
- Park in the Wildwoods Convention Center lots at 4601 Ocean Avenue
- Use private lots between Cresse Avenue and 15th Avenue
- Find free parking on the western side of New Jersey Avenue
- Metered spaces sit near the beach
- Ride the tram car along the boards instead of walking the whole boardwalk
Best time to visit Wildwood
Summer brings the full experience, with guarded beaches, open piers and trams running daily from late May through Labor Day. After Labor Day the crowds thin and the trams switch to a weekend schedule in September. We explain why locals love that stretch in our guide to the Jersey Shore after Labor Day, and fall visitors can browse Jersey Shore fall events by town.
Our Wildwood tips
- Buy discounted tram tickets at kiosks like 16th Avenue or Cresse Avenue
- Check the Wildwoods event calendar before you go, since most events are free
- Pack bug spray for the bay side and read our greenhead fly guide
A short history of Wildwood
Wildwood grew from a family land venture. A National Register study of the Wildwoods motels says the railroad reached the island in 1884. In 1885 the Baker family bought about ninety acres here and formed the Wildwood Beach Improvement Company with J. Thompson Baker. The study says a boardwalk existed by 1888 and Wildwood boasted a sixty foot observation tower by the early 1890s.
Wildwood was incorporated in 1895, and the study says it merged with neighboring Holly Beach into the City of Wildwood in 1912. A bridge at Rio Grande Avenue was built in 1903 and a new one in 1950, and toll operations on the Garden State Parkway began on January 15, 1954.
The postwar years made Wildwood famous. The study says that by 1960 there were five amusement centers with 116 rides, and that American Bandstand was first broadcast from the Starlight Ballroom on August 5, 1957. About thirty motels were built before 1955, and as many as 180 between 1955 and 1965.
Decline came in the 1970s and revitalization in the 1980s, and the 2003 study counted about 275 intact motels as the defining elements of the area’s architectural character. Today we love a night walk past their neon signs.
Wildwood FAQ
Do you need beach tags in Wildwood NJ?
No. The Wildwoods have no beach fees, so you do not need beach tags, wristbands or permits on any of the beaches on the island.
How long is the Wildwood boardwalk?
The Wildwoods Boardwalk runs 38 blocks and almost 2.5 miles, from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest to 15th Avenue in North Wildwood.
How much does the Wildwood tram car cost?
The Sightseer Tram Car charges $5 per rider for a one way trip. A $13 Hop On Hop Off daytime wristband covers unlimited rides until 5 pm.
When are Wildwood beaches guarded?
Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 5:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays (and Memorial Day) from the last weekend in May until mid-June, then daily from mid-June through Labor Day weekend.
Can you drink alcohol or smoke on Wildwood beaches?
No. Smoking, fires, open flames, grilling, glass containers and alcohol are not permitted on Wildwood beaches. Alcohol is allowed only at special events permitted by the City.
Where can you park near the Wildwood boardwalk?
You can park in the Wildwoods Convention Center lots at 4601 Ocean Avenue, in private lots between Cresse Avenue and 15th Avenue, at street meters, or for free on the western side of New Jersey Avenue.
Are dogs allowed on the Wildwood beach or boardwalk?
Dogs are never allowed on the Boardwalk. From May 15 to October 2, dogs may only use the Dog Beach at Poplar Avenue, on a leash, entering at the Poplar Avenue entrance.
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