{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3019,"slug":"longport-beach-longport","name":"Longport Beach","country":"USA","state":"New Jersey","city":"Longport","coords":{"lat":39.3112,"lng":-74.5282},"beachType":null,"tags":["scenic"],"article":{"hero":"You'll notice the change the moment you cross into Longport: no neon, no arcade jingles, just blocks of cedar-shake cottages and a beach that feels like a neighborhood secret. The strand here is broad and gently sloped, its sand fine enough to squeak under your heels as you walk toward the waterline. Mornings bring dog walkers and surf fishermen, their lines cast into the swells while gulls wheel overhead.\n\nThe town's badge system keeps crowds manageable, and you'll find space even on July weekends—families claim their patches early, planting umbrellas and letting children dig moats while the adults nurse thermoses of coffee. The ocean here is the same Atlantic that pounds Atlantic City three miles north, but the vibe is unhurried, almost meditative. At low tide, sandbars emerge like temporary islands, and toddlers wade in ankle-deep pools warmed by the sun.\n\nLongport's lack of commercial distraction is its greatest asset. There's no boardwalk to interrupt the dunes, no vendors hawking airbrush T-shirts. What you get instead is a straightforward bargain: sand, surf, and the kind of beach day that unfolds without agenda. Bring your own lunch, stake your claim, and let the rhythm of the waves dictate the hours.","teaser":"Longport sits where the island narrows to a wedge, its beaches stretching wide and uncrowded beneath the hum of the Longport Bridge. Salt air mixes with the scent of beach plum as you walk sandbars exposed at low tide. Families return here not for amusement piers, but for the simplicity of a towel, a cooler, and an unobstructed horizon.","uniqueAngle":"This is the only Absecon Island beach where residential calm replaces the boardwalk bustle, offering open sand and low-tide sandbars without the crowds.","accessType":"Drive-up with beach badges","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Low-Tide Sandbars","subtitle":"Wade shallow pools at ebb"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Dune Lounging","subtitle":"Unfenced beach plum thickets nearby"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Bridge Views","subtitle":"Longport span frames sunrise shots"},{"icon":"food","title":"BYO Picnic","subtitle":"No vendors; pack your cooler"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Longport delivers beachbreaks best on northeast swells, with waves peeling cleanest near the jetties flanking 32nd Avenue. Winter nor'easters bring chest-high sets, though crowds are minimal and the lineup respectful—locals give a nod, not a stare-down. Summer's mushier, but dawn patrols reward you with glassy shoulders. Water temps drop to the low 40s January through March, so pack your 5/4 and booties. Tide matters: high tide closes out most peaks, but mid-to-low reveals shifting sandbars that shape hollow pockets if you time it right.","couples":"For sunsets, walk south toward the Longport-Margate line, where the beach curves and the bridge glows amber in evening light. Skip the nearby chain hotels; rent a bungalow on a quiet block where you'll hear only the tide and distant boat engines. Dinner means a ten-minute drive to Margate's storefronts—Steve & Cookie's for seared scallops, or Tomatoes for red-sauce intimacy. Early-morning strolls before badge-checkers arrive feel like trespassing on private sand, the kind of solitude that makes you hold hands without thinking about it.","backpacker":"Beach badges run around twelve dollars daily in summer, but if you're willing to risk it, early mornings and post-5 p.m. see fewer patrols. There's no hostel culture here—Longport skews upscale—so your best bet is a shared Airbnb in neighboring Margate or Ventnor, often under fifty dollars a night off-season. For cheap eats, hit Margate's Bocce Club for seven-dollar hoagies or grab breakfast sandwiches at the Ventnor Deli. No public transit reaches Longport directly; rent a bike in Atlantic City and ride the coastal path south.","local":"Hit the beach before 8 a.m. June through August, when the sand belongs to runners, metal detectorists, and anyone smart enough to beat the badge-sellers. The stretch near 20th Avenue stays quieter even midday—families cluster north near the parking lot. After storms, comb the wrack line at dawn for sea glass smoothed by decades of tumbling. And here's the move: September mornings after Labor Day, when the water's still warm, the tourists have fled, and you can bodysurf alone for an hour before work.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Longport Beach is generally safe for family swimming, with lifeguards on duty during summer months (typically late June through early September, 10am-5:30pm). The beach features gentle waves and gradual slopes, making it suitable for children. However, always swim near lifeguard stands and check daily beach condition flags. Rip currents can occur, especially after storms. The beach tends to be less crowded than neighboring Atlantic City beaches, allowing easier supervision of children. During off-season, no lifeguards are present, so extra caution is necessary.","q":"Is Longport Beach safe for swimming with children?"},{"a":"Summer (June-August) offers warmest ocean temperatures (65-72°F) and full amenities, though beaches require paid tags. May and September provide pleasant weather with fewer crowds and cooler water. Many families prefer late June or early September for comfortable temperatures without peak-season congestion. Spring and fall are ideal for beachcombing and walking but too cold for swimming. Winter visits offer serene beach walks and dramatic ocean views, though most services close. Beach tags are typically required from mid-May through mid-September for visitors over age 12.","q":"What is the best time of year to visit Longport Beach?"},{"a":"Longport offers metered street parking along Atlantic Avenue and side streets near beach access points. Meters typically cost $2-3 per hour and operate from 9am-6pm during summer. Free parking is available on some residential streets, but check posted restrictions carefully. There's no large public parking lot, so arrive early during peak season (before 10am). Several beach access points exist throughout the 2-mile borough. Off-season parking is generally free but still observe any posted restrictions. Consider biking from nearby accommodations as an alternative.","q":"Where can I park at Longport Beach and how much does it cost?"},{"a":"Longport is primarily residential with limited dining options directly in town. You'll find a few casual eateries and cafes along Atlantic Avenue, plus a small market for beach supplies. For broader restaurant choices, nearby Ocean City (2 miles north) and Margate (adjacent) offer numerous family-friendly restaurants, ice cream shops, and casual dining. Accommodations in Longport are mostly vacation rentals and private homes rather than hotels. Nearby Margate and Ocean City provide more hotel options. Atlantic City, 15 minutes away, has extensive dining and lodging choices.","q":"Are there restaurants and accommodations near Longport Beach?"},{"a":"Longport permits dogs on the beach during specific times and seasons. From mid-September through mid-May, dogs are allowed on the beach and boardwalk anytime. During summer season (typically mid-May through mid-September), dogs are prohibited on the beach from 9am-5:30pm but allowed during early morning and evening hours. Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pets. This makes Longport popular with dog owners during shoulder seasons, offering a pet-friendly beach experience when many Jersey Shore beaches prohibit dogs entirely.","q":"Does Longport Beach allow dogs year-round?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Longport Beach: Quiet Family Shores in Longport, New Jersey","description":"Pristine sands and gentle Atlantic waves meet historic charm on this uncrowded South Jersey barrier island. Wide beaches, dune-backed shoreline, and peaceful family-friendly surf await.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517440695_b5d2588b46_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"527609","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517440695_b5d2588b46_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517440695_b5d2588b46.jpg","alt":"View of Longport New Jersey from Margate City Beach, 2/3/2024, 3:38 p.m."},{"id":"527610","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53602595524_8f660c7467_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53602595524_8f660c7467.jpg","alt":"Early Morning Sunrise Looking Towards Longport, New Jersey"},{"id":"527613","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8586/27692828974_91e89a5e2c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8586/27692828974_91e89a5e2c.jpg","alt":"Fifth Annual Cape May Craft Beer & Crab Festival is Aug. 6 This summer hit was named one of the 5 Best NJ Summer Festivals by CBS NY and features hard shell crabs, shrimp, craft beers and music at the Emlen Physick Estate"},{"id":"527614","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4302/35898935332_058b8144ff_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4302/35898935332_058b8144ff.jpg","alt":"Sixth Annual Cape May Craft Beer & Crab Festival is Aug. 5 This summer hit was named one of the 5 Best NJ Summer Festivals by CBS NY and features hard shell crabs, shrimp, craft beers and music at the Emlen Physick Estate"},{"id":"527615","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65/229743691_a54cb052a2_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65/229743691_a54cb052a2.jpg","alt":"Office"},{"id":"527616","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/68/229743349_27d5e0f7d4_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/68/229743349_27d5e0f7d4.jpg","alt":"David Shrager"},{"id":"527617","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/85/229738981_ed7a331310_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/85/229738981_ed7a331310.jpg","alt":"The Dock"},{"id":"527618","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/841/43478980101_f7fa2e2ccb_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/841/43478980101_f7fa2e2ccb.jpg","alt":"Kayaking in Margate, New Jersey 360"}]}}