Long Beach Township is the largest municipality on LBI, but it's unusual: it's not one contiguous town. Instead, it's a string of distinct communities stitched together up and down the island — Holgate at the southern tip, Brant Beach in the middle, Loveladies and North Beach on the northern end. Each section has its own personality, so where you stay in Long Beach Township really matters.
The most upscale section of LBI. Large modern homes, wide lots, and beaches that are nearly empty on weekdays. The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences sits in Loveladies and hosts year-round classes, exhibits, and summer lectures. Few commercial businesses — by design.
A tiny, quiet residential strip between Harvey Cedars and Surf City. Almost entirely homes — no commercial district — which is the appeal. Renters here want a quiet beach week without the boulevard noise.
The largest section of Long Beach Township and a family rental favorite. Brant Beach has wide beaches, easy parking, and is home to Bayview Park — a popular bayside swimming area with a playground, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, a dedicated dog park, and free summer concerts. Daddy O's Restaurant & Hotel anchors the dining scene, with Blue Water Cafe a short hop south in Haven Beach. The bike path on Long Beach Boulevard runs the length of Brant Beach and is one of the best ways to get around.
The southernmost point of LBI, ending at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Quieter than Beach Haven, with wide, less-crowded beaches and access to the protected refuge for birding and shell-hunting (closed April 1 – August 31 for piping plover nesting). Bowker's South Beach Deli & Grill is the local favorite for breakfast, bagels, and cheesesteaks. Great for families who want Beach Haven's amenities a short drive away without being in the middle of them.
It begins and ends more than once. Long Beach Township is non-contiguous — five separate pieces wrapped around the five boroughs — so driving north to south you enter and leave it repeatedly: Loveladies, North Beach, the long middle run from Brant Beach down to North Beach Haven, and Holgate at the tip. Its lines, north to south: Holly Drive, where Loveladies tract 176 meets Barnegat Light. Somewhere between Sherwood Way and North 25th Street, where North Beach meets Surf City. The centerline of 31st Street against Ship Bottom — the north side is Ship Bottom, the south side is Brant Beach, so neighbors facing each other need different badges. 12th Street, where North Beach Haven ends and Beach Haven borough begins. And Nelson Avenue, where Holgate starts and runs south to the wildlife refuge. The full breakdown, and how firm each line is, is on the LBI town boundaries page.
Long Beach Township operates a single beach badge that covers all of its sections — from Holgate to Loveladies. This is one of the best deals on LBI because a single badge unlocks the most beach access of any town. Buy through the Township of Long Beach. Parking varies by section but is generally free street parking; arrive early in peak season.
Howard's Seafood Restaurant in the Beach Haven Gardens section is an LBI institution since 1950, famous for the Original French Fried Lobster. Jersey Girl Grill is the casual mid-island American spot. The Beach House in Beach Haven Terrace serves seafood, steaks, and pasta. Bowker's in Holgate is the south-end staple. Bayview Park yacht club and Brant Beach Yacht Club host members-only dining; check schedules for summer events.
Listed north to south. LBT isn't one continuous town — it's a string of distinct sections, so where you stay really matters.
A secluded lagoon community on the bay at the island's north end, connected to the rest of LBI by one two-lane road. Built around a network of canals in the 1950s, nearly every home is on the water — a quiet, exclusive boater's enclave.
The most upscale stretch of LBI: large, architect-designed homes on wide lots with beaches that are nearly empty on weekdays. Home to the LBI Foundation of the Arts & Sciences. Almost entirely residential by design.
A tiny, quiet residential strip with no commercial district at all. The appeal is exactly that — a calm beach week away from the boulevard noise.
The largest section of Long Beach Township and a family-rental favorite. Wide beaches, easy parking, the Long Beach Boulevard bike path, and Bayview Park's bayside swimming, courts, dog park, and summer concerts. It starts at 31st Street — a street split down the middle with Ship Bottom — and runs all the way to Harrington Avenue.
A compact section of seven blocks — Mea, Lavenia, Culver, Hobart, Jeanette, Winifred and Surf. Quiet and residential, with an easy walk or bike to central-island shops and food.
A small residential pocket on the central island — six state-named blocks of single-family rentals and second homes.
A quiet mid-island section of family homes, a short hop from the boulevard. The Township marker post at Mermaid Lane prints its block number right on it: 88.
A residential section of the township — part of Long Beach Township, not Beach Haven borough, despite the name.
A low-key residential section of state-named blocks, posted at both ends by Township marker posts — one at Virginia Avenue, one facing The Dunes across MacEvoy Lane.
A short, quiet residential stretch named for its protected dune line. It begins at MacEvoy Lane, where two Township marker posts stand on facing corners — Haven Beach ending, The Dunes beginning, both reading block 121.
A walkable residential section with a handful of local shops and eateries along the boulevard. Long Beach Township, not Beach Haven borough. Marker posts sit at both ends of it.
A residential section of family homes a few blocks from the ocean. It begins exactly where the island's street numbering flips: the block north of it is Delaware Avenue (133), and the next street south is 34th, counting back down from there.
A quiet oceanside section long associated with the Spray Beach hotel and yacht club area. Its Township marker post stands at 2613 Long Beach Boulevard.
The southernmost of the central-island township sections, bordering Beach Haven borough at 12th Street. Family homes within an easy walk of Beach Haven proper. Note the range: it starts at 21st, not the 33rd most sites claim — the Township's own marker post at 2101 Long Beach Boulevard settles it.
The township's southern peninsula runs from Beach Haven borough down to the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge at the island's tip. Wide, uncrowded beaches; the refuge end is closed April 1 – Aug 31 for piping plover nesting.
Renters who want flexibility — you can choose your vibe by choosing your section. Holgate for quiet south-end, Brant Beach for family rentals, Loveladies for luxury and calm.
