What Are You Wading For? Massachusetts’ Beaches
Posted: July 1, 2015
Updated: July 15, 2021
It’s no secret that summer means beach season for many residents and tourists to Massachusetts. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite beach spots around the state, check it out below.
Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester: Reviewers rave that Good Harbor Beach is one of the best around. White, clean sand compliments the clear blue water of the Atlantic Ocean. Walk out to Salt Island at low tide, or put your boogie board in the water to catch some waves at high tide. While Styrofoam boogie boards are allowed, surf boards (and surfing), inflatable objects, and all other flotation devices are prohibited during hours when lifeguards are on duty. In addition, Gloucester has a “Carry In - Carry Out” policy that requires guests to bring their own trash back from the beach, so it may be wise to bring a trash bag on the day of your visit.
Beach Hours: parking gates are open 8am - 9pm
Parking: $30 during the week/$35 on weekends (non-residents), very limited parkingLifeguards: Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9am - 5pm
Amenities (weather permitting): Concession w/ toys, food, and drinks (alcohol prohibited), restrooms & showers (9am - 6pm)
Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester: This beautiful beach runs along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. At low tide, the beach extends farther out exposing a long sandbar where visitors can take walks. White sand, crystal clear water, and large rocks to climb on attract many each year. Tide pools form at low tide, becoming a perfect place for children to see snails, tiny fish, shrimp, hermit crabs, and other creatures. The streets which connect to this beach are very narrow, so be sure to obey posted speed limits and move slowly for the safety of beachgoers and yourself alike.
Beach Hours: parking gates are open 8am - 9pm
Parking: $30 during the week/$35 on weekends (non-residents), 8am-9pm, very limited parkingLifeguards: Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9am - 5pm
Amenities (weather permitting): Concession w/ toys, food, and drinks (alcohol prohibited), restrooms & showers (9am - 6pm)
Crane Beach, Ipswich: A beautiful beach with clean water and pristine sand for recreation, Crane Beach serves as a home for conservation and beachgoing. Coastal dunes and marsh can be seen throughout the land and the grounds are also home to the North Shore’s largest pitch pine tree forest. This beautiful beach also provides one of the world’s most important nesting sites for piping plovers, a threatened bird that nearly went extinct in the 19th century. Crane Beach has been nationally recognized for its successful shorebird protection program, and asks visitors to avoid fenced nesting areas and wracks (lines of organic washed-up debris where the birds feed and hide).
Beach Hours: 8am to sunset
Parking: free w/ a permit, $25 member & $45 non-member on weekends, $15 member & $30 non-member on weekdays, $5 for each additional passenger over 6 passengers (as of May 29, 2021, visitors need to purchase a timed entry pass for entry, available at noon Mon. and Thurs. for the following week)Lifeguards: on duty 8am - 5pm during the season
Amenities (weather permitting): restrooms, changing rooms, rinsing stations, Crane Beach Store (towels, tshirts, sunscreen, and more), snack shack, hiking trails, accessibility shuttle from parking to beach
Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury: Arguably one of the state's most popular beaches, Salisbury Beach State Reservation stretches 3.8 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. All 521 acres of the park offer swimming, boating, fishing, and popular camping grounds with 484 sites. In an effort to increase beach preservation, visitors are also asked to not walk on the dunes, as doing so can kill naturally growing plants. While swimming is permitted in the ocean, it is not allowed on the south side of the jetty or from the shore of the Merrimack River. Officials warn visitors to become familiar with and look for rip currents; knowing what to do if you get caught in one can be life saving.
Beach Hours: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Parking: $14 for MA residents, $40 for non-MA residents, beach open sunrise to sunsetLifeguards: on duty 10am - 4:45pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day
Amenities (weather permitting): boardwalk, restrooms, playground, showers, grilling area, picnic area, boat ramp, pavillion
Revere Beach, Revere: One of the most historical beaches, Revere Beach was the first public beach opened in America. Established in 1896, the area has since served as an entertainment hub for children and adults alike. Revere Beach has stood the test of time and remains a popular spot for beach goers. The beach faces Massachusetts Bay, five miles north of Boston, with its sandy edges forming a crescent along the ocean for miles. Be sure to check out the annual sculpting festival as well, and take in the breathtaking sand structures.
Beach Hours: dawn until dusk
Parking: free 4-hour parking on Revere Beach Blvd. and Ocean Ave, first come first serve, varying fees in the Ocean Ave parking lot depending on events
Lifeguards: on duty 10:15am - 5:45pm, all week, from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Amenities: many surrounding restaurants, public restrooms and bathhouses
Old Silver Beach, Falmouth: This Cape Cod beach draws many visitors for its warm, clear water from Buzzards Bay. The beach itself is separated into two sections by a small rock jetty: one for residents with beach stickers, and another for the general public. Though a relatively large beach, visitors should arrive early as it can get crowded quickly. The Beach Department for Old Silver Beach also provides swimming lessons for children aged 4 years and older, as well as lifeguard training classes for those 15 years and older. A tip from the department: be careful during high tide, as strong currents, particularly near the jetty, may be present at that time.
Beach Hours: 9am - 5pm
Parking: $20 daily, beach open 9am - 5pm on weekdays, and 8am - 5pm on weekends
Lifeguards: on duty 9am - 5pm, late June through Labor Day
Amenities (weather permitting): restroom, bath house, food concession, handicap accessible, picnic areas
Catch a stunning sunset at Mayflower Beach.
Mayflower Beach, Dennis: This gorgeous Cape Cod Bay beach is great for visitors of all ages. Known for its famous extremely low tide, which greatly expands the beach area, Mayflower is perfect for families. Shallow pools are created along the beach at low tide, which are perfect for young children to enjoy. Be sure to catch a stunning sunset at this beach as well!
Beach Hours: hours with staff are 7am - 5pm
Parking: daily $25 on weekdays, $30 on weekends, all fees are in place Memorial Day through Labor Day (all beaches in Dennis require a sticker)
Lifeguards: on duty during the season, 7am - 5pm
Amenities (weather permitting): food concession, restrooms, picnic areas, boardwalk
Waves rolling in at West Dennis Beach.
West Dennis Beach, Dennis: After Mayflower Beach, West Dennis Beach is arguably one of the most popular in the area. Spanning over a mile of shoreline along Nantucket Sound, this location serves to be a great place for windsurfing, kite flying, and all sorts of both water and beach games. Water here is said to be on the warmer side, but with a bit more seaweed than water at other beaches.
Beach Hours: hours with staff are 8am - 5pm
Parking: $25 on weekdays, $30 on weekends
Lifeguards: on duty during the season, 8am - 5pm
Amenities (weather permitting): snack bar, bathrooms, showers, playground, boardwalk
South Cape Beach State Park, Mashpee: A beautiful beach facing Nantucket Sound and Martha’s Vineyard, South Cape Beach is ideal for swimming, fishing, and walking. Several walking trails start at the beach, leading through forest grounds on the reserve property. There is a wide variety of environments to be found here, including barrier beach and dunes, salt marsh, scrub oak and pitch pine woodland, and kettle ponds. Guests can look forward to canoeing, boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming.
Beach Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: $15 for MA residents, $40 for non-MA residents, free parking for handicapped plates and people over 62
Lifeguards: on duty during the season
Amenities (weather permitting): picnic area, restrooms, grilling, boardwalk
Nauset Beach, Orleans: Known for its extensive length, beautiful sunrises, and wavy waters, Nauset Beach in Orleans, Massachusetts is certainly one you won’t want to pass by. Guests can treat themselves to swimming or surfing in the big waves, fishing of bass or blues, and sunbathing. Not to be confused with Nauset Light Beach, Nauset Beach is a lengthy 10 mile expanse starting in Orleans and stretching out all the way into Chatham. The beach is also available for off-road vehicles with proper permits.
Beach Hours: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Parking: $30 per day during the season, fees enabled 7:30am - 4:30pm
Lifeguards: on duty 9am - 5pm, mid June through Labor Day
Amenities (weather permitting): restroom, showers, boardwalk, picnic area, gazebo
Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport: Nearly 600 acres of barrier beach and salt marsh make up this extremely popular facility. The beach itself is 2 miles long, with warm water coming from Buzzards Bay. There is also an extensive 100 site campground. Perhaps a bit rockier than some other Massachusetts beaches, reviewers recommend sandals being worn to help navigate the grounds. Beachgoers can also enjoy swimming in the waves. The reservation itself, with the combination of ocean, beach, and estuary habitat serve to be one of the premier birding locations in New England.
Beach Hours: 8am - 8pm
Parking: $13 for MA residents, $40 for non-MA residents (May 15 through November)
Lifeguards: on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day
Amenities (weather permitting): showers, bathrooms, boat ramp, picnic area, playground
Low tide on Nantasket Beach.
Nantasket Beach, Hull: Another beautiful Atlantic Ocean beach, Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts offers five miles of sand, harbors, and bays, making for a beautiful day no matter when you choose to visit. The surrounding area boasts a bounty of restaurants, a fun arcade, hotels, mini golf, ice cream, and more. Visitors recommend the neighborhood carousel and dinner while watching a beautiful sunset!
Beach Hours: dawn until dusk
Parking: $15 for MA residents, $40 for non-MA residents, fees active May 15 through Labor Day
Lifeguards: on duty from late June to early September
Amenities (weather permitting): playground, pavilion, bathhouse, restrooms, volleyball field
Duxbury Beach, Duxbury: When you're looking for clean sand but the Cape is just too far, try Duxbury Beach. At six miles long, this beach is known for its permitted drive-on "Oversand" area, but it also has a traditional park-and-walk-on section. Access the beach via Gurnet Road from Marshfield or Powder Point Bridge in Duxbury, but arrive early or late in the day as the lots can fill up during peak summer hours.
Beach Hours: 9am - 8pm
Parking: $20 per car, cash only
Lifeguards: on duty 9am - 5pm
Amenities (weather permitting): concession stand, Blakeman’s (diner), pavilion, restrooms, showers sanitation stations
So grab that sunscreen and head out to explore Massachusetts this summer! Be sure to let us know if you spend the day at one of these beaches, or if we missed any can't-be-missed spots in Massachusetts.
Dwell360 is a boutique residential real estate firm based in Newton, Massachusetts, servicing the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. Dwell360 is a leader in in luxury real estate throughout the Boston, Brookline, Newton, Needham, and select other communities of metro Boston. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.
Sources:
Revere Beach Partnership. FAQ. Retrieved from https://www.reverebeachpartnership.com/faq/.
Cape Days. Dennis Beach Guide. Retrieved from https://www.capedays.com/dennis-beach.html.
Yelp.com. Nantasket Beach. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/L2fIAA.
Boston Central. Duxbury Beach Park. Retrieved from https://www.bostoncentral.com/activities/duxbury_beach_park/p1418.php. Images licensed under Creative Commons Zero on Pexels.com.
