Heading to the beach or a park this Memorial Day weekend? All New Jersey beaches, boardwalks, lakes, parks, playgrounds, and amusement and water parks have been given the go-ahead by Governor Murphy to open, without any capacity limits for outdoor spaces. Face masks are not required but are recommended for anyone with symptoms or recent COVID exposure.
Some beaches are imposing their own guidelines or restrictions. Here is a complete list:
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Atlantic City: OPEN
The beaches and boardwalks will continue to remain open as long as individuals practice social distancing.
Brigantine: OPEN
Some areas of the beach have been closed since April 9, including the Cove Beach recreation area, Brigantine Sea Wall, and the North Beach Observation Tower. The remaining beach areas are open for public use as long as social distancing guidelines are followed.
Longport: OPEN
Walking, jogging, and exercising on the beaches while following social distancing guidelines are permitted. Sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports, and groups of people are prohibited.
Margate City: OPEN
Walking, jogging, and exercising on the beaches while following social distancing guidelines are permitted. Sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports, and groups of people are prohibited.
Ventnor: OPEN
Walking, running or jogging, exercising, and dog walking using a leash while maintaining social distancing are permitted.
Surfing and paddleboarding are also permitted, as are singles rowing and kayaking.
The boardwalk remains closed except for use to access the beach. Swimming, sunbathing, sitting in chairs or towels, organized sports, and groups of people are all prohibited.
CAPE MAY COUNTY
Avalon: OPEN
Walking, running, fishing and surfing while practicing social distancing on the beaches are permitted.
As the Beach Tag Booth remains closed, Mayor Martin L. Pagliughi provides guidelines for acquiring beach tags on the borough website. However, he is waiving the requirement of beach tags until individuals “can enjoy the beach without restrictions.”
City of Cape May: OPEN
Walking, running, jogging, fishing and surfing while practicing social distancing are permitted. Congregating in groups, sitting in chairs or on blankets, and picnicking are all prohibited.
On the Promenade, walking and jogging are permitted and bicycle riding, skateboarding, and rollerblading are prohibited. Individuals choosing to exercise are asked to refrain from using benches.
Cape May Point: OPEN
Walking, jogging, running and fishing are permitted. Sitting, sunbathing and all other group activities as well as beach chairs, umbrellas, and other beach equipment are prohibited.\
The Pavilion Circle is open for passive recreation only, with games, sports, and jogging prohibited.
City of Wildwood: OPEN
Walking, running, and operating a wheelchair are all permitted on both the beaches and boardwalk, as are engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners. Social distancing guidelines must be followed with other individuals.
When in public, individuals must practice social distancing and stay six feet apart whenever practicable, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members or romantic partners.
Ocean City: OPEN
All beach activities can be accessed. Social distancing guidelines must be followed.
Sea Isle City: OPEN
Beaches are open for regular access effective Saturday morning, May 16. Beachgoers are expected to follow social distancing guidelines.
Stone Harbor: OPEN
Walking, running, fishing and surfing while practicing social distancing on the beaches are permitted.
All stationary activity on the beaches is prohibited.
Upper Township: OPEN
Upper Township will allow full access to their beaches for all permitted activities beginning Saturday.
Wildwood Crest: OPEN
Residents are allowed to sit and sunbathe. Beach visitors must remain at least six feet apart, excluding family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners. Groups should be limited to 10 or fewer people.
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Allenhurst: OPEN
The beach and boardwalk both remain, though individuals must adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Asbury Park: OPEN
Beaches remain open, but social distancing guidelines must be strictly followed.
To maintain social distancing, the Boardwalk has been set up for one-way travel in each direction, and benches have been removed to eliminate congregation.
Avon-by-the-Sea: OPEN
The beach and boardwalk are currently open with social distancing regulations in place and the use of benches and restrooms is prohibited.
Belmar: OPEN
The beach and boardwalk are open with social distancing guidelines in place.
No dogs are allowed on the beach or boardwalk and bicycling, rollerblading and skateboarding are all prohibited.
Bradley Beach: OPEN
The beach and promenade are open to be utilized for exercise purposes alone, with social distancing guidelines in place.
Deal: OPEN
Police are monitoring beaches to assure that social distancing guidelines are being followed, according to the borough.
Long Branch: OPEN
Social distancing must be practiced at all beaches.
The boardwalk, adjacent roadway, and promenade are also open with social distancing regulations in place.
Manasquan: OPEN
Seasonal pass holders alone can access the beach.
Each beach day, overall capacity will be monitored regularly, and determinations will be made if needed to reduce or restrict access to certain beaches.
Beach access will be limited to the 9 access ramps, which include Potters, Sea Watch, Ocean, Riddle, Main, Brielle, Pompano, Whiting, and Inlet. The beach walk will remain closed north-to-south, and use will be limited to east-to-west crossings to access the beach at the listed locations.
These policies will be re-evaluated by the Borough of Manasquan in June.
Monmouth Beach: OPEN
Beaches are open for recreational use with social distancing guidelines in place, according to the borough.
Ocean Grove: OPEN
The beach and boardwalk are open, with individuals asked to follow social distancing guidelines posted in the area.
Sandy Hook: OPEN
Ocean and bayside beaches of the Gateway National Recreation Area are accessible for passive recreational use only, including running, hiking, fishing and kayaking. Swimming, picnicking, and group gatherings and activities are prohibited.
Sea Bright: OPEN
Beaches remain open, though all beach-goers must follow social distancing regulations.
Sea Girt: OPEN
The beach remains open and can be accessed at all locations.
The boardwalk is closed to pedestrian traffic until further notice.
Spring Lake: OPEN
The beach is open and can be accessed at Pitney, Lorraine, Tule, Washington, Sussex, Salem, Union, and Brown Ave. walkways.
The Spring Lake Boardwalk is closed to the public.
OCEAN COUNTY
Various social distancing requirements will be in place for the beaches in all three municipalities.
The Borough of Point Pleasant Beach has provided reopening details on its website, including daily limitations on the number of groups allowed on the beach at any one time.
Brick: OPEN
Brick beaches 1, 2, and 3 are currently open for passive recreation only.
Team and recreation sports are not permitted on the beaches and social distancing guidelines are in place and will be strictly enforced.
Lavallette: OPEN
Running, walking, fishing, and sitting are permitted at the beach, although strict social distancing must be practiced.
The boardwalk remains closed until further notice but may be crossed to allow access to the beach ramps.
Seaside Heights: OPEN
Activities on the beach are limited to walking, jogging, active surf fishing, and surfing. Swimming, beach chairs, blankets, sitting, standing, coolers, and dogs are all prohibited from the beach. Social distancing is required.
Individuals can access the boardwalk and the beach at the following places: Blaine Avenue, Franklin Avenue, Hiering Avenue, and Hancock Avenue. Gates are staffed.
Seaside Park: OPEN
Social distancing requirements are imposed and enforced. The boardwalk currently remains closed.
Toms River: OPEN
Social distancing guidelines are enforced and the boardwalk currently remains closed. Ortley Beach can be accessed at the following points: 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue parking lot, 4th Avenue (ADA accessible) as well as 5th, 7th, 8th, Fielder (ADA accessible), Fort and Harding avenues.
LONG BEACH ISLAND
Barnegat Light: OPEN
Social distancing requirements are in place on all beaches.
Beach Haven: OPEN
Beaches are open and all individuals must adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Harvey Cedars: OPEN
Beaches are open for walking, jogging, fishing, and sitting. Congregating in groups is prohibited and social distancing must be adhered to, according to the borough.
Long Beach Township: OPEN
Social distancing must be practiced on all beaches.
May 15 marked the last day that dogs were allowed on beaches.
Ship Bottom: OPEN
Social distancing is in effect on all beaches.
Surf City: OPEN
Beaches remain open with social distancing regulations in place.