Update on Ocean County Beaches

If you're wondering what your favorite beach is like post-Sandy, here is an update on what's open and more. (And If you missed the Monmouth County beach blog, chech my post from earlier this week.)

Barnegat Light: Sustained much less damage to the beaches during Sandy than other LBI towns. Seasonal badges are $25 'til June 15, after that it's $35. Weekly badges are $20, daily rates are $5 per person. Children under 12 are free. There is also a $1 per badge charge for any badges purchased on the beach.

Bay Head: Plans are in the works for full restoration. As construction progresses, there may be days where there is not full access to every beach access point. Seasonal badges are $70, half-season is $45. 12 and older $7 for daily passes, under 12 free.

Beach Haven: Although much work remains to be done, months of rebuilding following Sandy have helped. Seasonal badges are $30 until June 22, $40 starting June 23. Weekly badges are $20, daily badges are $5. Children 12 and under and active duty military personnel are free. Military personnel must show ID.

Brick: Brick: All of the public beaches have reopened after suffering from Sandy, athough the oceanfront area south of Beach III remains off-limits to beachgoers. Seasonal badges are $25 before June 15 and $30 after June 15 and are good for Brick's three ocean beaches along rt. 35 and the bathing area at Windward Beach Park on Princeton Ave. A daily wristband is $5. No weekly badges sold. Children under 12 free.

Harvey Cedars: Between early June and August, 1,000 feet of beachfront along Harvey Cedars will be closed for a replenishment project due to Sandy. Seasonal passes are $30 in the preseason, $40 after June 15. Weekly badges are $20. Day rate is $6.

Island Beach State Park: Although the superstorm walloped Island Beach, lifeguards will be on duty at Bathing Beach 2 in time for memorial Day weekend. Island Beach charges a per vehicle daily fee rather than beach badges. NJ residents pay $6 on weekdays and $10 on weekends. (out of state visitors pay $10 on weekdays and $20 on weekends).

Lacey Township: While not oceanfront, Lacey has four beaches that will open Sunday, June 16: Cedar Creek Beach on Forrest Ave in Lanoka Harbor, Bamber Lake Beach in Bamber Lake, Deerhead Lake Beach on Deerhead Lake Drive in Forked River, and Lake Barnegat Beach on Lakeside Drive in Forked River. Beach badges are $5 for those older than 7. Badges will be available starting June 1 with proof of residency. Badges required starting Saturday June 25.

Lavallette: Wasnt as badly damaged by Sandy compared to some surrounding municipalities. The borough has both an active ocean beach and bay. Pre-season badges are available through June 17 for $35. Starting June 18, seasonal passes are $45 per person, $7 daily. Military personnel are $14 per season. Children under 12 are free.

Long Beach: Long Beach Township's 12 miles of oceanfront makes up much of LBI. Beach badges are $30 for the season when purchased before June 15; $40 June 15 or later. Weekly badges are $20, daily are $5. Children under 12 free.

Mantoloking: Mantoloking's beaches remain off limits to the public following Superstorm Sandy. Officials have not set a date as to when the beach may reopen, although they have said they will attempt to open it at some point this summer.

Ortley Beach: Though ravaged by Sandy, a section of Ortley Beach will be restored and open this summer. Season passes are $35 in the pre=season. The price increases to $50 on May 29. Daily badges are $7, $8 on weekends. children under 12 are free.

Point Pleasant: The private entities that own the most popular beaches in Point Pleasant Beach are ssuring you that Jenkinson's, Risden's, Martell's, Bradshaw's and the Maryland Avenue beach are all clean and safe.

Seaside heights: Following Superstorm Sandy, Seaside Heights became known for its destroyed boardwalk, with the iconic Jet Star roller coaster sitting in the ocean. The entire boardwalk has now been rebuilt, the beaches are open, almost all of the boardwalk attractions are back, and even Casino Pier's rides are returning one-by-one as the pier is rebuilt. Seasonal beach passes are $50, daily passes are $6, and children under 12 are free.

Seaside Park: Funtown Pier's tourist season is likely lost. But the owners say they would like to welcome you back NEXT summer. As for the beach, seasonal badges are $50 until June 14th, $55 as of June 15. Weekly badges are $35 and daily badges are $10.

South Seaside Park. If Seaside Heights and Island Beach are just too crowded for you, head over to White Sands Beach in South Seaside Park. Daily badges are $5. Weekend and holiday badges are $6. Weekly badges are $20. Season badges are for sale from May 29 - June 16 at a reduced price of $30. Season badges from June 16- on are $35. Children under 12 are free.

Ship Bottom: As crews work up and down LBI to get the beaches ready, Beach badges are $30 for the season when purchased before May 31. After that it's $40 for a seasonal badge. Weekly badges are $20, daily badges are $5. Children under 12 are free.

Surf City: Although some repairs, including a planned beach replenishment project, are slated throughout Surf City this summer, the beaches will be open on schedule. Beach badges are $25 for the season when purchased before May 31, after that it's $35 for a seasonal badge. Weekly badges are $17 and daily badges are $6. Children under 12 are free.