Beaches Around Atlantic City

Sweeping down the entire coast, the quality of the beaches in South Jersey is outstanding. Travelers are able to sneak away to more secluded beaches, or head for bustling, boardwalk-lined fun. Either way, you are SHORE to get some sun, a clean and safe swim and hopefully some sand in your shoes.

Atlantic City
In the last year, Atlantic City is the only place that hosts bars on the beach. Most of the casinos have or are opening beach bars, which serve frosty beverages during most daylight hours. The Atlantic City beaches have one of the most respective lifeguard patrols in the South Jersey area, due to the rip currents created by the large piers and jetties. However, they also have the highest drowning rate due to these conditions, so always pay attention to the directions of the lifeguards. One benefit of sunning at the Atlantic City beach is that city offers decent public restroom facilities, which is not the case for all beaches. Also, courtesy of the casinos, you do not need a beach badge.

Ventnor
Ventnor is a more family oriented beach than Atlantic City. The boardwalk extends the entire length of Ventnor, which is great for walking, running, or riding your bike. However, the boardwalk also shortens the beach and at high tide the water reaches the boardwalk at some streets - so choose your street wisely. In order to go onto the beach, you'll need a beach badge that is good for both Margate and Ventnor. You can purchase these directly at the beach from the courteous beach badge inspectors (cash only). As a side note, some local eateries will deliver to you on the beach- so make sure you bring your wallet and cell phone.

Margate
Ventor's boardwalk does not extend into Margate thanks to a Nor'easter years ago. There is little access to public restrooms or facilities so choose your street wisely. Margate's most famous landmark is Lucy the Elephant, which is located at Washington Avenue next to a food stand. This beach has also been called 'g-string beach' due to the amount of fine women in small bikinis (not for the family). Like most cities, Margate has segmented the beach into designated areas. Between Osborn and Thurlow Avenue, is the surf and sailing beach. This stretch of beach is dedicated to surfing, kayaking, fishing, sailing, and other water sports, except swimming. The waters are safe due to the well-trained beach patrol. Margate is more of a local hangout, and perfect for the family.

Longport
Like Margate, Longport does not have a boardwalk, which makes for enough beach at high tide. The city is very family friendly, and requires a beach badge. As with all of the beaches, Longport's lifeguards have always been known to keep those waters safe. Longport's beaches were cut short years ago by a nasty storm, so don't try to get to 1^st street. The beaches are kept very clean and are more relaxing than some of the other beaches. Longport also sports a walkable jetty in the Ocean City Inlet that is good for fishing, surfing, or just relaxing.

Avalon & Brigantine
Avalon beach has won awards in the past for being the safest place to swim, largely due to a well-trained and attentive lifeguard patrol. Beautiful dunes line the wide beaches and a relatively quiet boardwalk is a convenience for food and bathrooms. Avalon Beaches have handicap access. Brigantine Beach is a great location for the active. Thriving fishing grounds, water skiing, Surfing and swimming are some of activities that make brigantine attractive to the restless.

Cape May
Cape May has wide and vast beaches with fine, soft sand that feels great between your toes. Kechemeche Indians discovered the stone known as the Cape May Diamond. These wonderful little gems are quartz crystal - free for the treasure hunters that seek them out. Traveling down the Delaware River, they eventually wash ashore as booty for the lucky pirate that finds them.

Sea Isle Beach
Sea Isle Beach is a younger party atmosphere, perfect if you are looking for a 20 to 30-year old crowd life; guards are on duty from 10 - 5 in the summertime. Surfing, fishing and swimming are common activities. Appropriately named, Wildwood is a young and energetic place, but unfortunately it has been deteriorating for the past 10 years or so. Beaches are not the cleanest in South Jersey, but they host a flourishing number of high school and college beach-goers.