NJ Poll: Most Residents Want Free Beach Access

This may not be much of a hot take, but I think the beaches in New Jersey should be free.

Let me clarify, I think the beaches in New Jersey should be free to those who can show proof of residency.

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Free Beach Access for New Jersey Residents

If you have a bank statement, utility bill, or driver's license with a New Jersey address, then you should be able to access the beautiful beaches of New Jersey for free, or at least at a discount.

What New Jersey Residents Really Think

I know I'm not necessarily alone in that line of thinking either; according to a new poll done by the Cape May County Herald, a majority of New Jersey residents, roughly 59 percent of shore residents, and 66 percent of non-shore residents all agree that beaches should be free to access.

Why Shore Residents Support Beach Fees

In the Herald's latest poll, and this is what I found really interesting, is that of people polled, those who lived near the shore were actually in favor of having to pay to use the beach!

This is most likely because the cost of badges helps offset the cost of local taxes and helps with the upkeep of the beaches.

Rising NJ Beach Badge Prices in 2025

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Personally, I'm fine paying to use the beach, but some of the badge prices at the Shore are getting out of hand.

For example, 2 season badges to Funtown Beach cost my wife and me $250 this year. And a season badge for Seaside Heights runs about $75.

Which NJ Beaches Are More Affordable?

But if you look at the beaches in Sea Isle City, Ocean City, or Cape May, the badges run anywhere from $35 to $40 for a season.

That's much more reasonable.