Belmar Boardwalk Complete for Summer 2013

The ever-popular Belmar offers beaches that stretch for more than a mile, attracting locals and tourists alike.

Heavily damaged in Hurricane Sandy, the borough continues to rebuild, and was one of the first to complete its boardwalk months after the storm.

Beach badges are $50 for a seasonal pass; $15 for seniors; $7 daily; free for children 15 and younger and active duty military and their families. Badges are on sale at Borough Hall, 601 Main St., until Memorial Day weekend and at boardwalk ticket booths thereafter.

Parking is metered, limited and enforced along Ocean Avenue; neighborhood parking is free but in short supply. Parking meters are installed along the boardwalk and require you to pay $1 for one parking hour.  The meters take quarters or you can purchase a $20 pre-paid parking meter card at any beach badge ticket booth. The 20-dollar parking cards gives you 20 hours of parking time and can be carried over from one summer to the next, as they never expire.

Food is available in temporary concessions this year.

Four beachfront playgrounds are free to use, but require a beach badge during guarded hours.

Belmar also partners with NJ Transit to create packages where you can save up to $6.50 when you purchase your beach ticket in addition to a daily beach badge on the train. Active duty military members and their families are welcome to enjoy Belmar beach for free, and new this year, all Fire and First Aid Volunteers will be given free access to our beaches as well.

Smoking is Prohibited on Beach and Boardwalk (except in designated areas). In May 2009, the Mayor & Council adopted stricter rules which limit smoking to several small, designated areas on the beach or boardwalk. Anyone smoking outside of these areas will be issued a summons. The minimum fine is $25; the maximum fine is $250. Disposing of a cigarette butt on the beach, dune, boardwalk or street constitutes littering, and is subject to a separate fine of $100 and two days of community service.

Beach badges are required on the beach from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each weekend beginning with Memorial Day Weekend, and on each weekday beginning with the third Monday in June, until Labor Day. Violators will be issued a summons and escorted from the beach and may not return until they have obtained a badge. Anyone who is caught walking on a dune will be subject to an additional fine of not less than $500.

The possession of alcohol and glass containers is strictly prohibited on Belmar’s beach and boardwalk. Beach staff will ask beachgoers to open their coolers and knapsacks so that they can be visually examined for these items.

Licensed dogs are permitted on the beach, while under the control of their owners, from October 1 through April 30, but not at any other time. Animals are not permitted on Belmar’s boardwalk at any time (except that dogs may cross the boardwalk to get access to the beach from October 1 and April 30). Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets at all times.

Between May 1 and September 30, bicycles are permitted on the boardwalk only between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Bicycles are permitted on the boardwalk at any time between October 1 and April 30. Rollerblades and skateboards are not permitted on the boardwalk at any time of the year. Bicycles may be locked only to a bicycle rack, and not to any light fixture, railing or other part of the boardwalk. Bicycles, strollers and baby carriages may not placed within 15 feet of any beach entrance gate.

Ball-playing and frisbees are prohibited on the beach and near the water. The Council has designated areas near the boardwalk on certain of the wider beaches for use for volleyball and other games. If in doubt, ask a gate attendant.

If you want to listen to music on the beach, use headphones.

For more information, call 732-681-3700.