For your pro­tec­tion, bathing and swim­ming are per­mit­ted only at pro­tected beaches where life­guards are on duty 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM  through Labor Day weekend.  The Avalon Beach Patrol and the Borough of Avalon reserves the right to reduce the number of guarded beaches at any point during the summer due to staffing issues.  These are common from the middle of August through Labor Day weekend.   Use of rafts and surf­boards are per­mit­ted only at des­ig­nated beaches.  Enter the ocean only in the presence of a lifeguard.

Beach mats are placed for the summer of 2022 at the following locations for ease of accessibility:  8, 29, 30, 40, 44, 48, 57, 62, 67, 73, 74, 78, 80.  Please be aware that all seashore communities are experiencing labor shortages during Summer, 2022 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Beach mats require daily maintenance.  And, remember Avalon has a free beach chair program for individuals with physical limitations.

Dis­claimer:
Warn­ing! If you swim before 10:00 AM or after 5:00 PM or when life­guards are not on duty or if you swim at a beach which is not a des­ig­nated beach, you do so at YOUR OWN RISK and the Bor­ough of Avalon assumes no lia­bil­ity or responsibility.  Enter the ocean ONLY in the presence of a lifeguard!

GUARDED BEACHES

9,12,15,18,21,24,26,28, 30 (surfing only at 30th Street),32,35,38,40,43,50,57,61,65,69,73,76,79

Note:  A member of the Beach Patrol may be present at 57th Street and the bay for training purposes and as a courtesy to kayakers and paddleboarders.  Swimming is not permitted.

UNGUARDED BEACHES

8,10,11, 13,14,16,17,22,34,36,37,39,49,58,59,60,62,63,64,66,67,68,70,71,72,74,75,77,80

BEACHES WITH NO BEACH PATH ACCESS

31,41-43,45-47,49,51-56

RAFT BEACHES (use of rafts and inflated objects)

9, 12, 18, 24, 28, 35, 40, 43, 50, 61, 69, 73, 79

SURFING BEACHES

30th Street, between 16-17th Streets, 20th Street, and either side of the 12th Street life­guard stand, and 63rd Street,  but not near bathers.  Please note:  Due to low activity by surfers on the 63rd Street beach, the Avalon Beach Patrol is allowing stand up paddleboards at that location as well during 2018.

OTHER SURF ACTIVITIES

Kayaks, Stand up Pad­dle­boards (includ­ing inflat­able and non-inflatable) and Body­boards and/or Belly­boards with skegs are pro­hib­ited on any beaches in the Bor­ough dur­ing the hours of 10:00am through 5:00pm

BE AWARE OF SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE BEACH PATROL

Be aware that the Avalon Beach Patrol will clear swimmers from the water, or completely from the beach, when a safety hazard is present.  The most common reasons include lightning in the area, or strong rip currents in the ocean.  The Avalon Beach Patrol is equipped with technology that alerts them to threats of lightning or storms.  Always obey all instructions provided by the Avalon Beach Patrol.

AVALON BEACH PATROL SEA SAFETY SERIES-WHAT IS A RIP CURRENT?

One of the common reasons why lifeguards may keep you close to shore is the presence of rip currents in the ocean.  Sometimes, but not always, rip currents are present along the immediate shoreline due to storm activity in the Atlantic Ocean.  The Avalon Beach Patrol has produced a Sea Safety Series to keep your family safe.  Here is a presentation on rip currents:  ABP Sea Safety Series

The Avalon Beach Patrol considers your safety their number one priority.  The Beach Patrol will guard advertised guarded beaches this summer daily between the hours of 10:00am-5:00pm.  Rip currents in the ocean count for 80 percent of all ocean rescues in the United States; rip currents are also very difficult to spot with the naked eye.  Even the strongest, most experienced swimmers can be swept away from shore by a rip current.  Please, do not enter the ocean unless you are in the presence of a trained Avalon lifeguard.  Doing so otherwise is not advisable, and at your own risk as no lifeguards are on stands between the hours of 5:00pm-10:00am.  There have been some tragic losses of life on southern New Jersey beaches as swimmers entered the ocean with no lifeguard on duty.

The United States Lifesaving Association has provided this very helpful information about the dangers of rip currents:  https://www.usla.org/page/RIPCURRENTS

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES ON THE BEACH

Smoking is prohibited on public beaches due to new New Jersey state law.  Picnicking on the beach is permitted; please place refuse in trash and recycling containers.  Prohibited activities also include fires/open flames, alcoholic beverages, bottles, glass, sharp objects, loud noise, indecent language/actions.  No sleeping on the beach or boardwalk from sunset to sunrise.  Use beach paths; trespassing on dunes and in the areas posted for endangered beach-nesting birds is strictly prohibited. By municipal ordinance, the beach is closed to the public daily between the hours of 9:00pm-4:00am.

DIGGING HOLES ON THE BEACH

Please be mindful that unattended holes left on the beach strand can cause injury to others, especially as night falls. Please be sure you fill in any holes before you leave them unattended.  Never climb into a hole that has been dug on the beach as the sand may become unstable and cause an unintended entrapment.