Strathmere, One Of NJ’s Last Free Beaches, May Start Charging For Beach Tags

I used to be pretty naive, and when I was a kid, I just thought every beach in the world required a beach tag to get on. Little did I know that paying to use the beach is primarily just a New Jersey thing.

Of course, growing up coming to Jersey every summer, I knew there were some free beaches, like the ones in Wildwood, but for the most part, I always just kind of assumed that if you wanted to get onto the beach, you'd have to pay.

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For As Long As I Can Remember, Strathmere, NJ, Beaches Have Been Free

When I was a kid, my grandparents had a house on 34th Street in Sea Isle City, near the bay, and more often than not, we'd go to the beach in Sea Isle City, but sometimes we'd end up down at Whale Beach, AKA Strathmere, part of that was because it's a free beach.

No tags needed! Now, that may change.

Strathmere, NJ, May Now Start Charging For Beach Badges

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According to NJ.com, Strathmere is holding meetings to see whether or not the town should start charging people to get on the beach, as most beach towns in Jersey do.

If Approved, How Much Would Beach Badges For Strathmere, NJ, Cost?

Strathmere is toying with the idea of $10 daily badges, $20 weekly badges, and $45 seasonal badges. As a guy who just spent $100 on two season badges for Ortley Beach this summer, $45 for a season badge seems like a steal!

Why Can't NJ Residents Get Beach Badges For Free?

That being said, residents weren't too keen on the idea, and even floated the idea that locals shouldn't have to pay for a beach badge, since they already pay property taxes.

I don't disagree with that thought process either; however, there's apparently some rule saying you can't discriminate against tourists when it comes to charging to get on the beach.

Why Is Strathmere, NJ, Thinking Of Starting To Charge For Beach Badges?

The main reason for the possible fee to get on the beach stems from the amount of beach erosion that Strathmere saw this past winter, and the extra funds from beach tags would help with beach maintenance.