Beachgoers Outraged Over Sky-High Seasonal Pass Prices
The district of Deal, a popular Jersey coastal destination known for its golden beaches and coastal charm, has left tourists and locals fuming over the exorbitant costs of a seasonal beach pass. The new price tag of $200 for the summer of 2025 has been described as "extortion" by beach visitors, who claim that the fee is far out of line.
Comparing Prices
To put things into perspective, nearby Asbury Park and Belmar charge only $70 and $80 for their seasonal passes, respectively, making Deal’s fee seem even more outrageous. Another popular spot, Bayhead, charges $60 for a half-season badge and $110 for the whole summer. Last year, Deal offered no seasonal passes, instead charging beach visitors a relatively modest $10 to visit on weekdays and $12 on weekends.
Price Hike
This year, those daily prices will also increase to $12 on weekdays and $15 on weekends. Children 11 and under can still visit for free. However, many feel that the new pass price is a slap in the face, especially since most beaches in the US do not charge a fee to enjoy. While New Jersey and other northeastern states have normalized fees for beach access to fund lifeguards, maintenance, and crowd control, this particular price hike has sparked an unusual amount of outrage online.
Public Reaction
Many have taken to Reddit to express their frustration, with one angry user writing, "The residents of New York shouldn’t have to buy tags. Nobody should really have to. Without beach visitors, they have no economy." Another user pointed out that locals are being taken for a ride, saying, "If you pay taxes in New Jersey, you shouldn’t have to pay to use the beaches." The timing of the price hike couldn’t be worse, with Memorial Day, the official start of the beach season, just around the corner on May 26th.
Impact on Beachgoers
As Deal’s pricey passes go on sale, many are left wondering if their favorite summer escape has become a luxury they can no longer afford. While some defend the fees as necessary to keep the beaches safe and well-kept, many can feel the pinch of increasing costs. With Deal’s beaches coming at a premium, many Jersey Shore fans may opt for cheaper sandy alternatives this summer or voice their frustration online.
