Massachusetts, in New England, is known for its large population. But there’s another feature that makes it special. You guessed it right: the abundant beaches. The indented coastline of The Bay State boasts incredible swathes of sand down its gorgeous shores. Beaches in Massachusetts offer everything to make you feel that time flows by in the blink of an eye. They thrum with people swimming, sunbathing, playing water or beach sports, or just having a fun picnic. This post lists the top ones that are worth your visit.
Top 12 Beaches In Massachusetts
1. Wingaersheek Beach
The Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester stretches across the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. It is a perfect setting to enjoy long walks on the sandbars with your family and kids and explore crabs and shells. The waters of this beach are warmer, with a temperature of 62.4°F. But come September, you will find them cool. The beach has amenities like bathrooms and toilets, but they aren’t open after sunset. It remains at low tides, and the tide pool formations allow you to get up close to snails, tiny fish, shrimp, hermit crabs, and similar creatures. If you’ve had a long travel, Wingaersheek Beach will be ideal for relaxing.
2. Good Harbor Beach
Walking, body surfing, and beach volleyball are among the top activities that tourists on vacation love to do at Good Harbor Beach. Why not? The beach has excellent, soft, and white sands that are ideal for surfing and boogie boards. After strolling or playing, visit the island through a land bridge at low tide. Good Harbor is a cool beach in New England that opens up to an island people can walk out to. Lifeguards on the beach are present daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Restroom and shower facilities are also available daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
3. Crane Beach
If you are searching for great beaches in Massachusetts near Boston, Crane Beach will be a suitable choice. Located in Ipswich, it’s a 1,234-acre conservation and recreation property north of Cape Ann. The gorgeous beach is a nesting site for endangered piping plovers and has many trails through coastal dunes. Nature lovers can also tour Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, which has a massive history and gives a glimpse of the immaculately tended Rose Garden and Italian Garden. The well-accessible beach has all the amenities like restrooms, wheelchairs, and transportation. Over 35,000 people, including walkers, hikers, birdwatchers, and citizen scientists, visit it annually. The beach is open daily from 8 am till sunset.
4. Dane Street Beach
One of the best beaches in Massachusetts for families is Dane Street Beach. This open, sandy beach overlooks Beverly Harbor and Salem’s waterfront. The water in this kid-friendly beach stays shallow for several hundred feet out. This is especially true during low tide. It makes the beach suitable for swimming for people of various ages. There are picnic tables, benches, water fountains, and volleyball polls here, which makes it the go-to destination for a summer vacation. Moreover, Dane Street Beach is open throughout the year.
5. Revere Beach
How can a list of the top beaches in Massachusetts miss America’s oldest beach? Revere Beach came into being in 1896 to provide people with access to recreation. Today, this magnificent beach is packed full of textures. It’s within walking distance from the Blue Line station. Revere Beach is the place of choice for those on vacation. It is always jammed with sunbathers and surfers and brims with activity. Besides, it is also renowned for the largest Sand Sculpting Festival on the East Coast, the Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Contest. The place is disability-friendly, with paved walkways, beach wheelchairs, and lifeguards on duty daily.
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6. Hampton Beach
The Hampton Beach mesmerizes visitors with the expansive 18 miles of coastline, family-friendly activities, contests, and festivals. The award-winning beach has a consistently high water quality and has been a place of allure since the 1800s. You can play beachside games or visit the arcades for skeeball, pinball, or video games. Music lovers should head to the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, which organizes spectacular performances from Duke Ellington, Led Zeppelin, and Janis Joplin. If you don’t want to make your visit budget-friendly, experience free entertainment at Seashell Stage, Monday Night Movies, and weekly Wednesday night fireworks. But if camping is on your mind, head straight to the Hampton Beach State Park.
7. Race Point Beach
A scenic wide strip of shoreline in Provincetown, punctuated with dunes, wildlife, and lighthouses. If this small description sounds intriguing, plan your trip to Race Point Beach in MA. It has clean waters on which you can spot whales and seals. The golden sand is soft and ideal for a round or two of beach volleyball. Protected shorebirds nest and stage here from late spring to fall. The beach shines under the sun throughout the day because it is north-facing. You’ll find plenty of blue and green sea glass as it gets the same coastal currents as Skaket Beach. Lifeguards, showers, and restrooms are all available at the beach for your convenience.
8. Constitution Beach
At Downtown Boston, another family-friendly beach awaits. The Constitution Beach is a human-made sandy beach ideal for watching planes zooming above or ships sailing through the Boston Harbor. Enter the beach anytime without worrying about the time, have lunch, and enjoy the calm environment. It has many lifeguards, a bathhouse with concessions, and a huge playground for maximum enjoyment. The tennis courts are also there for the game’s enthusiasts. Also, the abundant trees and shrubs make it a perfect zone for picnics.
9. Pleasure Bay Beach
Pleasure Bay Beach has acquired a great reputation for being one of the best, family-friendly, and cleanest beaches in Massachusetts. It lies on the Atlantic Ocean and is just 3.9 km away from Boston City. This urban beach is a beautiful haven for solo travelers, lovers, and those seeking calm from the daily grind. You can swim, sunbathe, participate in supervised water activities, windsurf, kiteboard, or go a little further for a round of football. Doesn’t it sound exciting? If you want to explore the whole area, rent a bike with free helmets, locks, and baskets.
10. Carson Beach
When Boston’s residents don’t wish to move too much out of their comfort zone for a fun time, Carson Beach is where they go. It is a short walk from the Red Line to JFK and is a go-to spot for watching nature or participating in sports. You can swim, sunbathe, play volleyball or have a running competition. The water is comfortable and warm. So, you can swim and splash for an extended period. It has all the amenities that make it accessible for all kinds of people, including those with disabilities.
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11. Singing Beach
Don’t think that only those beaches in Massachusetts with sprawling shorelines are worth your time. Make your vacation memorable at the small, quaint Singing Beach that weaves through a rich neighborhood. It dates back to the 1920s but has all the necessary amenities that make the visit convenient and comfortable. It is called Singing because the dry sand squeaks or ‘sings’ when you walk over it. The sound is amusing to both the kids and adults. The beach is half a mile wide, with dedicated parking facilities for residents between April 15th to October 15th. Non-residents will find a space half a mile away at Masconomo Park or a two-hour parking at Beach St and downtown.
12. Herring Cove Beach
What about a bayside beach with plenty of sea shells, rocks, and spectacular sunset views? Herring Cove Beach, a part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, is loved by sunbathers and picnickers alike. You can watch whales, see your kids having fun at the tidal pools, or head to the snack bar with amazing healthy offerings. Since the beach faces west, it provides breathtaking views of sunsets that visitors love capturing on their phones. Due to its popularity, the beach has become a highly commercialized one. You will find extensive food stands and a boardwalk. Dogs are also allowed, but not very close to the area where shorebirds nest. The entry fee is affordable. But if you wish to gaze at the sunset for free, get in after 4:30 pm.
Summing up
Now, you can give a nod to your dream of enjoying the sand and the surf. The top beaches in Massachusetts listed above are ideal to experience beach and beachside activities in every sense. Visitors love returning to them again and again. Keep one of them on your list whenever you plan a vacation to New England.
