Family Tides
At the Shore, summer is far from over after Labor Day passes. For year-round residents, September marks the start of one of the best seasons of all: locals summer. The crowds thin, the weather stays warm, and the beaches become blissfully quiet.
But quieter beach days don’t necessarily mean safer waters. Rough surf and rip currents remain a risk for those hoping to sneak in a postseason swim, and with many lifeguards heading back to school or their hometowns, most beaches close after the holiday. A handful of towns do keep guards on duty, though often at a limited capacity.
Here’s a look at which beaches will still have lifeguards staffing the stands:
Brigantine
Like most Shore towns, Brigantine has reduced lifeguard coverage during the postseason. Brigantine City Beach Patrol will have guards on 2nd Street North, 15th Street South and 27th Street South during the weekend of Sept. 13-14. For more information, follow Brigantine City Beach Patrol on Facebook or visit brigantinebeach.org.
Atlantic City
Atlantic City beaches will have limited lifeguard coverage through the end of September. The Atlantic City Beach Patrol offers a handy real-time map through the Safe Beach Day website showing which streets have coverage, guard hours and current surf conditions, including wave heights and water temperature. Users can toggle between uptown and downtown. Check daily to see which beaches are guarded by visiting atlanticcitybeachpatrol.com.
Ventnor City
Lifeguards will be on duty seven days a week through Sept. 14, at the following beaches: Suffolk, Dorset, New Haven and Lafayette avenues. More information is available at ventnorcity.org/departments/beachpatrol.
Margate City
Margate beaches were open at select locations this past weekend and will have guards on again the weekend of Sept. 13-14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lifeguards are expected at Clermont, Huntington and Cedar Grove avenues, and possibly Jefferson Avenue, depending on guard availability. This weekend will likely be the last of the season.
To confirm beach openings, call the Margate City Beach Patrol headquarters at 609-822-2370 or visit Margate City’s Facebook page.
Longport
Lifeguards will be on duty at 16th, 26th, 30th and 33rd avenues through Sept. 14. From Sept. 20-21, weather permitting, guards will return to the same locations. Dates and locations are subject to change due to staffing. Check out the Longport Beach Patrol Facebook page for updates or visit longportnj.gov.
Ocean City
Ocean City beaches will have lifeguards on duty at select locations through Sept. 14. Guarded beaches include St. Charles Place, 8th, 9th, 12th, 34th and 58th streets.
The Ocean City Beach Patrol website notes that lifeguard stands may not be exactly at street ends, as guards position them in the safest areas depending on water conditions. For more information, call 609-525-9200 or visit ocnj.us/OCBP.
Strathmere
All Strathmere beaches will be closed after Labor Day, but lifeguards will be on duty at Tecumseh, Putnam and 1400 avenues Sept. 13-14, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., according to the Upper Township Beach Patrol website.
Open beaches are subject to change in case of bad weather. To confirm lifeguard coverage, call 609-263-1151.
Sea Isle City
Beaches with lifeguards on duty change from day to day, depending on the availability of guards. A limited number of Sea Isle City beaches will have lifeguards on duty on weekends only for the rest of the month. There is no weekday coverage.
Each weekend morning, the operational lifeguard stands are listed on the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s website sicbp.com. For more information, call 609-263-3655.
Avalon
Avalon Beach Patrol will be on duty weekends only through Sept. 14. There is no weekday coverage. According to the city’s Facebook page, all beaches normally staffed during the summer will be guarded Sept. 13-14.
Beach tags are no longer required. For more information, visit avalonboro.net or the city’s Facebook page.
North Wildwood
Closed for the season, but a response team will be available until Sept. 28.
Wildwood
Closed for the season.
Wildwood Crest
Closed for the season.
Cape May
Cape May Beach Patrol will have lifeguards on duty seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sept. 28, with a limited number of beaches open. One of Cape May’s most popular spots, The Cove, is expected to remain guarded through the end of the season. For the most up-to-date information on which beaches are open, call 609-884-9520.
Madison Russ is an award-winning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area’s vibrant arts scene.
