A free beach is a rare treat in New Jersey. New Jersey offers more than 120 miles of sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, but you're going to pay a fee to sit on those sandy beaches. Beach tags are a necessity during the beach season. New Jersey has a pay to play policy when it comes to the majority of their beaches. Only Wildwood and Atlantic City offer free beaches at this time. Seaside Heights offers free beach days on Wednesday and Thursday, due to sponsorship by Coca-Cola.

Beach tags are required at all other beaches. This is a hot issue in New Jersey. There are some beaches that require you to purchase a weekly tag even if you are only going to be visiting for one or two days. Not all beaches choose to use this system as daily tags are available on many New Jersey beaches. Most beaches do not charge for children under the age of twelve. Each township sets their rules. Senior citizens may receive a discount at some New Jersey beaches. Seasonal badges are an option if you will be visiting for a longer stay or are planning many day trips to the New Jersey shoreline.

Many towns choose to use beach tags to help fund things such as bathrooms, changing stations and lifeguards. There is a lot of controversy over whether beach tags are actually to restrict beach use to people who are paying visitors of hotels, beach house rentals and local residents.

Most beaches post a sign that a beach tag is required. There are "tag checkers" who walk the beach with the purpose of making sure you have your tag. If you do not have a tag, you will be asked to purchase one on the spot or asked to leave. Seaside Heights has fenced in their beach area. You have to go through a pay area before accessing the beach.

On Long Beach Island, there are more than twelve different beach tags. Long Beach Island is no more than twenty miles long. You can not purchase one tag and use it on another beach; even if that portion of the beach is just a few blocks away.

Wildwood which includes Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and North Wildwood offers approximately eight miles of free beaches, while Atlantic City sports five miles of free beaches.

Beach tags are a big business. Ocean County took in over $2.7 million dollars in beach fees during the 2004 season. Don't expect them to go away anytime soon.