New Jersey may not be the first destination you imagine as a destination for a beach holiday in reality it's not however, locals are aware that that the Garden State is home to some of the most beautiful East Coast beaches. The majority of New Jersey's sand beaches are surrounded by vibrant boardwalks. Many have been restored or rebuilt following the 2012's hurricane Sandy offering a wide range of eating options, shopping arcades as well as ice cream shops and many more.

No matter if you're an EDM fan or a group of friends, there's likely a New Jersey beach to suit your preferences. Find out more about which one is best for you.

New Jersey Beach Tags, Badges, and Passes

The beach tag is the beach tag, badge or pass for all the beaches of New Jersey. While the meaning is different from beach to but it's essentially an admission pass that assists the state control the number of people who visit every beach and generate funds for their maintenance and lifeguard personnel. The tag system for beaches may restrict tourists to beaches where locals go however, there are numerous alternatives for people who aren't New Jerseyans along with the pass (available for days, weeks as well as season) are fairly simple to get through the mobile application Viply or by visiting the relevant beach fees office (online or by phone).

Higbee Beach Poverty Beach, Cape May

Famous for its vibrant Victorian mansions along the shoreline The two Cape May beaches are one of the few East Coast places where the sun sets directly over the water due to their western orientation. Other attractions? The town's only pedestrian Washington Street, lined with the most nostalgically photogenic local businesses, and the well-known Cape May Lighthouse, built in the mid-1800s, and is still operational today.

Higbee Beach stretches a mile and a half, and hosts Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area. Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area in which wildlife and birds abound. Poverty Beach is a quieter option for those wanting to escape the crowds.

Ocean Grove Beach

Locals are known to promote Ocean Grove -- Asbury Park's more secluded, less frequented cousin as New Jersey's most beautiful beach. While you won't see hawker stalls or craft beer gardens, you can find an incredibly quiet, clean stretch of sand that is white. The presence of attentive lifeguards and the absence of day-drinkers who blast music makes the beach ideal for families. Be sure to visit the town, just several blocks away from the boardwalk. It has a charming, Hamptons-like vibe. You can also drive through the charming streets lined by Victorian mansions. After a long day, indulge in a plate of fresh seafood at SeaGrass Restaurant, a popular BYOB restaurant with a nautical theme decor.

spring lake beach

If you prefer a tranquil beach vibe, you'll enjoy this clean Jersey choice that is frequently referred to as the cleanest beach on the shore. The no-coolers-on-the-beach rule keeps partygoers (and pesky seagulls) away, leaving ample room for sun worshippers to enjoy two miles of magical sunset-viewing spots and unpolluted waters. Lifeguards are available from June to Labor Day, which also ensures safe swimming. If you decide to venture into the town of resorts you'll find old-fashioned inns and restaurants serving fine cuisine to the discerning beach-goers.

Point Pleasant Beach

Another option that is great for families is Point Pleasant. Point Pleasant has a nostalgic boardwalk that includes restaurants, ice cream stands, rides along with arcade-style games. Children of all ages can enjoy a game of miniature golf or tackle the difficult task of a ropes course just a few steps away from the sandy beach. The beach is distinctive in that it is lined with palm trees (yes palm trees are found in New Jersey -- but it's also famous for its tiki bar on the beachfront, Martell's, which is perfect for live entertainment and dancing.

Belmar Beach

Belmar Beach is a tourist attraction that's worth visiting for all-ages sports like surfing, volleyball, kayaking, and play areas sprinkled throughout for the young youngsters. On the mile-long stretch of sand, it's not uncommon to be surrounded by tourists reclining in colorful umbrellas as well as surfers trying to ride the most sought-after Eastern Coast waves. While the beach isn't in view the Belmar boardwalk is regularly considered to be among the top on the east coast of New Jersey.

Asbury Park Beach

Asbury Park's famed boardwalk is in part due to the city's LGBT-friendly lifestyle and thriving music scene. Just a few blocks from the boardwalk and you'll be able to experience the city's notoriously rough vibe. When you'ren't sunbathing or sipping cold beers at the beach, you can visit traditional music spots such as The Wonder Bar and The Stone Pony. Do you want something at a higher end? The nearby eatery Pascal Sabine serves up excellent cocktails and traditional French cuisine.