Get Some Sun and Boardwalk Fudge at the Best Beaches Near Philly

These beaches close to Philadelphia are all within a two-hour drive.

It ’s summertime and the living is sandy . During the ardent months , as is Philadelphia tradition , many local go off to the beach — better known as goingdown the shoring — for sunbathing , boardwalk fudge , and piquant melody . And lucky for us , there are plenty of nearby shore Town to check out , each with their own personality , amenities , and , of course of instruction , beaches .

Whether you ’re a beach tag collector , are ready to brave the lengths of Wildwood shore , or desire to sneak away toCape Mayfor historic sites and some prison term on the sand , the top beaches in the area offer something for everybody . Do n’t forget to pack your coolers , umbrellas , and loads of sun blocker — here are the best beaches within two hour of Philly to visit this time of year .

Sea Isle

Cape May CountyFive miles of the Jersey Shore ’s well - maintained waterfront belong to to Sea Isle , apotheosis for visitor of all ages . Grab abeach tagfrom an examiner on the beach and splash in the waves at one of the 30 spots designated for swim . For the adventurous , there are four kayaking beaches and two areas for kiteboarding . Or for something more relaxing , Beachside yogacan help you see some zen . On the stroll , enjoy an colonnade , shopping , and bike rentals . Distance from Philly:1 hour and 10 minutes

Brigantine

Atlantic CountyClose to Atlantic City without all of the casino , Brigantine is a beach - lover ’s joy . Seventeen beach are dedicate to swimming while five field are dedicate for fishing . Yup , you ’ll require abeach tag(you’re able to pay right on the beach via an examiner who fare around see for them ) . For more quaint , pocket-size - town vibration , hit up theSaturday husbandman ’s marketduring summer , amini golfcourse , andwaterfront seafood restaurant . Distance from Philly:1 time of day and 10 minutes

Ocean City

Cape May CountyOffering eight sea mile of sand , walk along Ocean City ’s beaches and you ’re probable to find everyone from surfboarder and skimboarders to sunbather and moxie castle - constructor . You ’ll call for beach tag to gain access , but you could take hold of one from a city employee working on the beach for $ 10 for the day ( or $ 20 for the hebdomad and $ 35 for the season ) . For calmer water system , fishing and kayaking is available on thebay side of the cityor atCorson ’s Inlet State Park . Come dark , hit the boardwalk for arcade game , rides , ton of beach chow , including legendary fudge and candy shop . Distance from Philly : 1 hr and 10 moment

Asbury Park

Monmouth CountyConsistently named one of thebest beach towns in the nation , Asbury Park is the perfect combination of sidereal day and nightlife . Buy a beach tag onlineand nag a spot on the milelong beach to see why tons of tourists flock here time of year after season . matter only get more exciting once the Dominicus sound down and there ’s sentence to explore the over150 - class - old boardwalk . There you ’ll notice the legendary music venueThe Stone Pony , amuseum of classic pinball game machines , and , naturally , a ton ofgreat bars and restaurants . Distance from Philly:1 hour and 20 minutes

Avalon

ness May CountyStone Harbor ’s neighbor to the north , Avalon comprise the northernmost part of what ’s know as Seven Mile Island , the barrier island containing several miles of white-hot , sandy beach . for certain , you ’ll needbeach tagshere but there are designated areas for any activity you could imagine : surfing , kayaking , bear up paddleboarding , and fishing . Distance from Philly:1 hour and 20 minutes

Stone Harbor

Cape May CountyDubbed a member of theMain ShoreLine — the summering hot spot for well - to - do folks from the Main Line — Stone Harbor brag fair and quiet beach ( whichrequire beach tags ) and quaint shore townspeople vibes . If you ’re see for a nature - inculcate beach lam , check outStone Harbor Point , a preservation area strictly used for nature take the air , fishing , beach combing , and bird catch ( and no swimming or picnicking ) . But speaking of food , there are a lot of great eats in the area that play the gamut fromItalian fareto summertime favorites likeseafoodandice creamto enjoy by the water system . Distance from Philly : 1 60 minutes and 20 minutes

Cape May

ness May CountyFamous for its straight-laced family ( some of which are now useable to quell in as B&Bs ) , the southernmost shore town in New Jersey offers two - and - a - half miles of flaxen beach . Beach tag are require , but fret not , you could grab one at any of the16 beach entrances in township . Take a promenade on the not - at - all rowdy promenade ( it ’s paved so technically not a boardwalk ) and revel in the deal of land and ocean . As the sun starts to go down , manoeuver to Cape May head to the appropriately namedSunset Beachfor striking view . Plus , there’sdelicious grub , historical web site , and shoring paraphernalia aplenty . Distance from Philly:1 hour and 30 minute of arc

Wildwood

Cape May CountyThese notoriously farsighted beach intend there ’s more space to spread out . Plus , no beach tags are necessary here . in spades suited to a younger crowd , the 38 - block boardwalk ’s always hop with food , rides , games , stores blast out iconic shore garb , and , of trend , theTram Car , a service that ’s been in mathematical process since 1949 that can transport you up and down the circuit board . Distance from Philly : 1 hour and 30 minutes

Beach Haven

Ocean CountyOn the southern part of Long Beach Island sit Beach Haven , where you ’ll find 11 guarded beaches ( tags demand ) for swimming and surfriding , and non - hold domain for sportfishing and kayaking . outwear the tots out atFantasy Island Amusement Park , chock full of rides , boardwalk game , and a 12,000 - straight - foot colonnade perfect for wasting away the afternoon . Then you could cool down off with a few brewage atShip Bottom Brewery , hit up adelightful all - twenty-four hours diner , or grab a well - deservedice pick cone . Distance from Philly : 1 hour and 40 minutes

Mauch Chunk Lake Park

Carbon CountyThe Jersey shore is n’t the only place to find a stellar beach . Jim Thorpe ’s Mauch Chunk Lake has daily swim hours Memorial Day through Labor Day and a intimate sandy beach for sunbathing . While you ’re in all probability used to staring at the endless horizon along the Jersey shoring , here you ’re process to tree - filled vistas and heap of warm lake water for good afternoon dips . Make a whole matter of it and spend a few nights camping , too . Distance from Philly:1 60 minutes and 40 minutes

Rehoboth Beach

Sussex CountyWhile technically smash our under two - hr rule , Rehoboth Beach is too nice to pass up . Anothernationally top - grade shoring town , Rehoboth has all the hallmarks of a corking beach terminus : boardwalk , entertainment , and plenty of office to sit your wheel after a day of soaking up sun on the free beach . As for the eats and bevs , enjoy everything fromsushitoDogfish Head ’s Rehoboth location . aloofness from Philly:2 hours and 10 proceedings

Island Beach State Park

Ocean CountyTucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay , this 10 - mile state of matter park offers white sand beaches that are as equipped for drench up the sun or taking part in more active bodily function . Island Beach State Park is New Jersey ’s prominent osprey colony , along with peregrine falcon , jampack birds , shorebird , waterfowl , and migrating songbird , so there ’s plenty to explore . One international nautical mile of the beach is staffed with lifeguards — which means it ’s capable for swimming — while southern parts of the beach are reserved for surfriding and windsurfing . length from Philly : 2 hours

Sea Isle City NJ