Beaches near Philadelphia

East Coast beach towns are an underrated part of living in a metropolis like New York or Philadelphia. Within a two-hour drive of Central Philadelphia, there are more than a dozen superb weekend destinations with sandy beaches and quaint boardwalks. 

Jersey beach towns, in particular, hug the Atlantic Ocean in a way that’s perfect for a full weekend of swimming and sunbathing along with enjoying the town itself. A weekend at the Jersey Shore is a right of passage for locals and a quick getaway at a beach haven is a good way to ditch the city for an afternoon. Sea Isle City is a favorite for the whole family, Stone Harbor offers a top-notch vacation resort, and Seven Mile Island is the Jewel of the Jersey Coast for a reason!

If you're planning on heading to the beach for a day trip or weekend you may want to find a dry and secure place to store your bags. That's why Bounce offers reliable luggage storage in Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, and anywhere else your East Coast beach plans take you.

Our picks for the 7 best beaches near Philadelphia

Towns along the Jersey Shore and other beach towns near Philadelphia have developed over decades to become summer institutions. That means you'll have fully developed boardwalks, perfectly sandy beaches, and ideal swimming conditions. 

Unsurprisingly, the best time of year to visit these places is during summer. You can typically expect the best weather between June and September, but you can get lucky with unseasonably warm weather in October. It's a straightforward experience to visit these beaches, the only major consideration is looking out for storms. 

Asbury Park

In 90 minutes, Philly residents can reach one of the top beach destinations in the entire country. If you need to rely on public transportation, it's more of a weekend trip than a day trip. Bus 317 from Marjet Street will get you here in under four hours.

Asbury Park’s location makes it a reasonable commute from both New York and Philadelphia, so expect plenty of crowds throughout the summer. Still, there’s plenty of room for relaxing on the beach, making the price of a beach pass well worth it. Surfing is a major factor here as the beach gets solid waves. 

The historic beach house and architecture of the town provide a picturesque backdrop for swimming, and just the look of the place evokes a sense of nostalgia. With a lively boardwalk and amusement park rides in the background, the sandy beach of Asbury Park is hardly the only draw. The live music scene is shockingly great, with music festivals and concerts held on the beach throughout the summer. Bounce has convenient locations near Asbury Park Beach and the boardwalk, so you’re taken care of for storing your bags when you get into town. You’ll be able to book online, and check-in is effortless and cashless, so you’ll be splashing away in no time.

Long Beach Island

Long Beach Island, or “LBI,” is situated about 70 miles east of Philadelphia along a remote stretch of barrier island off the Jersey Shore. It's a favorite for Philly locals as you can get here in less than 90 minutes and it provides more than a dozen miles of soft sandy beaches along with the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. 

There's plenty of terrain for getting a decent hike in, including a stretch of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. If you're bringing the kids, stopping at the Thundering Surf Waterpark is certainly a crowd-pleaser. You'll be able to use the small seaside town as a base for hitting the waterpark or the beach. 

Don’t let your bags get in the way of your weekend at Long Beach Island Island Beach, securely store them back in Philadelphia with Bounce so you can get around more easily between the water parks and the waterfront.

Ocean City (New Jersey) 

New Jersey’s Ocean City, not to be confused with Maryland’s more famous ‘OC,’ it's just under two hours away from Philadelphia and beaches that are widely considered to be some of the best in the state. It's a family vacation destination. The town has banned the sale of alcohol since before prohibition. This takes a certain “spring break” element out of the equation, making it more comfortable for families and small children to spread out and build sandcastles or even take surf lessons. You'll need to buy beach tags (essentially daily passes) but once you're here, it’s heavenly. It's also a destination for fishing as the surrounding waters are rich with sea bass, flounder, bluefish, and kingfish. If you're planning on bringing your fishing gear for the trip, Bounce offers flexible luggage storage for when you need to stash your equipment and other bags. 

Island Beach State Park

This small beach town is situated on a barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. With pristine beaches and a remote feel, you won’t be happy simply melting in the sun for an afternoon as you could spend an entire weekend hiking through the diverse terrain. The beach itself is perfectly serviceable, although you won't have as many amenities as you'll find traditional Jersey Shore destinations.

The only downside of the location is the potential for stormy conditions which might derail that weekend. It's a two-hour drive from the city and no public transportation options are available. So, if you don't have access to a vehicle, give this one a pass.

Atlantic City Beach

Take the Atlantic City Expressway about 90 miles and you'll reach what was once the country’s Las Vegas (before it even existed). The boardwalk is still a major draw, and you'll still find resorts and casinos. A.C. offers the quintessential East Coast beach experience and is an institution for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

The drive here from Philly will take about an hour. If you don't have your wheels with you, the train from 30th Street Station will get you here in about an hour and a half with a walk or cab ride at the end.

The main draw is the town itself, but Atlantic City Beach is completely free to visit and features comfortable swimming conditions, even if it gets fairly crowded. It's only steps away from the boardwalk so you'll have an easy time finding a place to eat or grab a drink after you're done swimming. There are also plenty of water sports like surfing (although it might be a little crowded) and parasailing. Bounce’s Atlantic City luggage storage facilities are perfect for storing your gear if you’re trying to hit the beach right after you fly in. Don’t waste precious time heading to your hotel just to drop the bags off!

Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach

Delaware is not a state most Americans ever visit, but this coastal haven features a number of wonderful beach towns that are within three hours of Philadelphia. The vibe is more relaxed than you'll find in New Jersey, and maybe it stems from the locals or the remote location. Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach are situated next to each other so you'll be able to hit both in the same trip (Bethany Beach is another hotspot nearby worth checking out). 

It's a more casual vibe than the beaches and other states and you'll have ample opportunities for outdoor hiking and water sports. The beaches are popular but spacious enough that you'll be able to spread out and actually enjoy yourself. The towns are lovely. The area has become a craft beer destination, with the local Dogfish Head Brewing having restaurants and taprooms for beachgoers. 

Bounce has locations throughout the Delaware Coastline, including useful ones at Rehoboth and Bethany Beach. Stash your gear near the water so you won't have to worry about valuables or electronics getting wet. Your bare-bones beach setup will also allow you to take longer walks without having to worry about your belongings.

A trip to the ocean does require a bit of planning, especially if you're going to hit the beach as soon as you get into town. If you're worried about your valuables or are traveling with electronics, finding a secure place to store your bags while you swim or sunbathe is important. Bounce takes the stress out of the situation with simple booking and convenient locations near the water. Download the mobile app to find reliable luggage storage locations near all the best beach destinations near Philadelphia.