The coastal community of Belmar, New Jersey, is a popular destination at the Jersey Shore. Whether you’re coming for the day, a long weekend, or a week-long vacation, explore the best of Belmar with our ultimate guide to Belmar beach tags, parking in Belmar, beach amenities, the best places to eat, beach house rentals, and more.
Belmar Beach Tags - Summer 2024
During peak summer season, Belmar beach tags are required for everyone age 14 and older. Admission to Belmar beach is free for children age 13 and younger.
You will need a beach tag to get on Belmar beach between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Fridays, holidays and weekends until Labor Day (September 2, 2024). On weekdays, beach tags are required between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Beach tags are not required prior to Memorial Day weekend or after Labor Day.
Season Beach Badges
For summer 2024, Belmar beach tags are $80.00 for the season, plus a $2.00 processing fee. Senior badges are $32.00 for those age 65 and older (proof of age required), plus $1.00 processing fee.
Season and senior beach tags for summer 2024 may be purchased online. Shipping is $10.00 or, to save on the cost of shipping, you may pick up your beach badges at Taylor Pavilion, 500 Ocean Avenue between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. Please note that the added "processing fee" will still be charged if you pick up your tags in person.
Daily Beach Tags
Daily Belmar beach tags cost $12.00 each, plus .25 cent processing fee, and also may be purchased online up to two weeks in advance.
For summer 2024, Belmar is requiring that all daily beach tags be pre-ordered via your smartphone or mobile device prior to visiting a beach tag booth. Once your purchase is completed, you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code.
Upon your arrival to the beach, you will need to check-in at one of the Belmar beach tags booths and scan the QR code to receive a daily wristband. Alternately, you may show your confirmed QR code to the beach attendant to get onto the beach. Beach tag booths are located on the boardwalk at 3rd Avenue, 8th Avenue, 11th Avenue, 14th Avenue, 16th Avenue, and 19th Avenue.
All beach tag sales are final. No refunds will be issued if the beaches are not accessible due to weather or capacity. For assistance with buying your Belmar beach tag, call 833-956-2440.
Free Beach Admission For Active-Duty Military And Veterans
Through its “Operation: Thank You” program, Belmar provides free beach access to active-duty servicemen and women with valid military ID and to all U.S. veterans with a valid ID that identifies them as a veteran. Gold Star families are also eligible to participate in Operation: Thank you. Show your qualifying military or veteran ID at any of the beach tag booths on the boardwalk to get a special red beach pass for free admission.
Disabled individuals with proof of disability may purchase a season Belmar beach tag for $32.00. The borough requires a letter from the Social Security Administration or a Medicare card, along with the disabled person's valid identification. Please call Belmar Tourism at 732-681-3700, ext. 214, for more information.
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Parking At Belmar Beach
As with other Jersey Shore towns, parking in the summer can be tricky, especially on nice weekends. If you are planning a day trip to Belmar beach, the earlier you get here, the more parking you will find available. Belmar has free parking and paid parking.
Free Parking
You may park for free on any of the neighborhood side streets in Belmar (except those in ParkMobile zones), or at the NJ Transit train station in downtown Belmar.
Free parking is also available on the west side of Ocean Avenue (across from the boardwalk) and on Main Street in Belmar.
Handicapped parking is free in designated handicapped spots along Belmar boardwalk with a valid state-issued placard. You must pay for parking if you park in a non-handicapped spot, even if you use your placard or have a handicapped license plate.
Paid Parking
The Borough of Belmar uses a mobile application called ParkMobile for paid parking along Ocean Avenue and in other areas of town. Paid parking is in effect from May 1 through October 31, 2024.
The ParkMobile app allows for contact-less payment via your smartphone or tablet. In total, Belmar has six designated ParkMobile zones, as follows:
Zone 1 (58101): East side of Ocean Avenue (nearest the boardwalk). The cost for parking in Zone 58101 is $1.00/hour between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.
Zone 2 (58102): 5th and 6th Avenue around Silver Lake up to Ocean Avenue (the angled parking spots). The cost for parking in Zone 58102 is $2.00/hour between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.
Zone 3 (58103): North Boulevard, from Ocean Avenue to B Street (south side of the street only). The cost for parking in Zone 58103 is $2.00/hour between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.
Zone 4 (58104): Municipal parking, $2.00/hour between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.
Zone 5 (58105): Municipal parking, $2.00/hour between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.
Zone 6 (58106): ParkMobile is used at certain areas of the Belmar Marina near Marina Grille and the marina entrance at Route 35 and 10th Avenue. The cost for parking in Zone 58106 is $2.00/hour between 4:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. This is the year-round paid parking zone.
Paid parking is in effect in Belmar for Zones 1 through 5 from May 1 through October 31. Zone 6 (Marina Grille parking lot) has year-round paid parking. There is no charge to park in designated handicapped parking spots with a valid state-issued placard.
ParkMobile has a six-hour maximum time limit. After six hours, you must make a new payment through the app.
Download the ParkMobile app. For those who wish to pay by phone instead, call 1-877-727-5304 for assistance.
Belmar Beach Amenities
Officials in Belmar, New Jersey, take great pride in providing visitors with the best beach amenities. In addition to clean, staffed restrooms, the beachfront is equipped with pirate-themed beach playgrounds, places to fill your water bottle* and charge your cell phone, and touch-free shower stations at each beach entrance for rinsing off.
Belmar also has ADA-accessible beaches equipped with blue mobility mats. These hard-surface beach-access ramps are designed for people who use wheelchairs or walking aids, and families coming to the beach with strollers, wagons and beach carts.
Public bathrooms are located at the following beach entrances: 3rd Avenue, 6th Avenue, 8th Avenue, 11th Avenue, and 16th Avenue. Beach playgrounds are located at 4th Avenue, 8th Avenue, 12th Avenue, and 16th Avenue.
Mobi-Mat ramps are located at the following beaches in Belmar: 4th Avenue, 5th Avenue, 7th Avenue, 8th Avenue, 10th Avenue, 12th Avenue, 16th Avenue, 18th Avenue, and 20th Avenue.
In addition, beach wheelchairs are available at 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th Avenues. See the gate attendant for help.
Belmar Smoke-Free Beach And Boardwalk
In 2014, Belmar was the first New Jersey shore town to ban smoking on the beach. Smoking is prohibited on the entire beach and boardwalk at all times. The smoking ban includes cigarettes, vape pens, cigars, and e-cigarettes.
Violators of the no-smoking ordinance will be ticketed and fined. In July 2018, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy enacted legislation that bans smoking on all New Jersey beaches, following Belmar's lead.
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Belmar Beach Rules
Allowed On Belmar Beach:
Unlike the Spring Lake beach nearby, Belmar does allow you to bring coolers onto the beach so you can enjoy your lunch and snacks right where you are sitting.
When enjoying food and drinks on Belmar beach, please be respectful to our town — and to the environment. Do not leave your trash on the beach. Water bottles, bottle caps, plastic bags, plastic cups, and other trash get washed into the ocean, putting endangered coastal birds and sea life such as fish and dolphins at risk of harm. Belmar provides trash and recycling containers right on the beach for your convenience in cleaning up after yourself.
Beach umbrellas are allowed on Belmar beach, but tents, canopies, and shade coverings higher than 36 inches are not allowed on Belmar beach between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Boogie boards are permitted at the following beaches only: 7th Avenue, 14th Avenue, and 20th Avenue.
Not Allowed On Belmar Beach:
No ball playing of any kind, including footballs and volleyball.
Loud music. Please bring your earbuds if you like to listen to music on the beach.
Alcohol and anything in glass bottles.
Smoking (see above).
Dogs (permitted only between October 1 and April 30).
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Where To Eat At Belmar Beach
The Belmar beachfront has a wide variety of options for your enjoyment. In the middle of the boardwalk, you will find Jersey Mike's Subs at the Taylor Pavilion, located at 500 Ocean Avenue.
Across from the beach, along Ocean Avenue, casual dining stops include Playa Bowls at 803 Ocean Avenue and 1607 Ocean Avenue, J's Pizza at 804 Ocean Avenue, Luigi’s Pizza at 1609 Ocean Avenue, Mamaluke’s Pizza at 1715 Ocean Avenue, TR’s Food Court at 1605 Ocean Avenue, Dunkin Donuts at 1601 Ocean Avenue, and Bubbakoos Burritos at 1603 Ocean Avenue. For your sweet tooth, Coney Waffle at 803 Ocean Avenue has ice cream treats and confections.
For an ocean-view dining experience with great people watching, try La Dolce Vita Italian Seafood Grill at 400 Ocean Avenue.
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Surfing At Belmar Beach
The surfing beaches in Belmar, New Jersey, are located at 17th and 18th Avenues. In addition, Summertime Surf School offers surfing camps for kids and group or private surfing lessons for adults and organizations at 3rd Avenue beach in Belmar.
Boogie boards may be used at 7th Avenue, 14th Avenue, and 20th Avenue.
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Bike Riding On Belmar Boardwalk
Between May 1 and September 30, bike riding on Belmar boardwalk is permitted between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. only. However, in the off season (starting October 1 and ending April 30), you may ride your bike on the boardwalk at any time of day.
Shopping On Ocean Avenue In Belmar
From sunscreen and souvenirs, to newspapers and custom t-shirts, you'll find a little bit of everything at the retail merchants on Ocean Avenue in Belmar.
Check out Eastern Lines Surf Shop and Beckman's on the Beach along the 1600 block of Ocean Avenue. We also love the selection of beachwear and gifts at the Beach Nut boutique at 804 Ocean Avenue (next to J's Pizza).
Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog, a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.
Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House
Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com.
