Discovering the Best Beaches in Massachusetts: A Comprehensive Guide

“This is officially one of my favorite beaches in Cape. When I first walked down to the beach, I saw a lot of people, but then I looked to my right and saw no one, for miles. We had to climb over this big boulder that felt like clay to get to the other side. It was rather challenging to get back once we did because of high tide. But it was well worth it. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

– Jacki Joyce

“Beautiful beach with good accessibility option! With your handicap parking placard, parking at the beach is allowed, rather than taking the shuttle.
Lots of HP parking. The view from parking lot is nice with benches. Concrete and hard packed paths to a view point on the bluff,the restrooms building, the outside showers, and down the path along the road to beach access. From the road is blue accessible path to the beach. My husband’s battery powered scooter made it to the end. There were 2 beach wheelchair available.”

– Diane MacDonald

“One of the most stunning beaches I’ve been to in Massachusetts. Being part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Nauset Beach is definitely worth visiting!”

– George Farah

“Always love visiting Nauset Beach.
PRO TIP: We go to Skaket Beach early in the morning and then jump over later in the afternoon – parking fee covers Nauset!
The parking area now has a huge upper lot with porta potty.
Lower lot has handicapped spots, food trucks, restrooms.
No Snackbar.
Huge deep and wide beach with large waves.
Typically see seals 🦭 here.
This is a great sunset beach and playing – we don’t come to swim here.
No Seaweed, no tide pools, no crabbing or shells.”

– Derek Schmidt

“The Cape Cod National Seashore is without a doubt one of the most naturally stunning areas of Massachusetts. The history, beaches, waves and beautiful sand dunes make the Cape Cod National Seashore a must visit destination. There are plenty of trails and beaches to visit up and down the coast. Also there are some of the most famous lighthouses along the seashore. I highly recommend anyone living in New England to explore the Cape Cod National Seashore. I will definitely be coming back.”

– George Farah

“The National Seashore is many miles long, so you won’t have any trouble finding a secluded spot. You may even spot some wildlife in the water. There were seals swimming close to shore while we were there. That’s sometimes a good sign that a Great White shark is nearby for a nice pet and a cuddle. There are, also, beautiful dunes and cliffs to add to the scenic beauty of the area. Terrific beach day away from the crowds.”

– Bradley Slegel

“This was a very nice beach. GPS took us straight here without difficulty. Great spot to relax. The area had a lot of people soaking up the sun but everyone was respectful. Dogs were allowed and people had quite a few. If you’re visiting, this is a great spot to experience the ocean and a clean beach.”

– Sandy E

“This was our first time visiting and we will be back!! Such a beautiful, clean beach. Parking is by reservation, which does help keep crowds at a set max. There are bathrooms and a snack shack which is great! The water was COLD but so clear and clean. Perfect size waves for kids to enjoy. At low tide you can walk out to the little island and explore.”

– Katie Loveday

“Looks like a great beach for kids, water is very gentle, almost no wave.”

– Ewa D

“This beach is gorgeous with many sand dunes and a barrier island. Not too tough to enter- there’s a stairway and the. You are on the beach. The stairs have a platform with a beach halfway and are not too long.

There are beautiful walks through the dunes that the water has carved out. Not much beach at high tide but low tide is great.

The beach doesn’t have many rocks or shells.

Parking is available in-town for $15 with a shuttle bus to the beach. After 5 pm you can park at the scenic overlook parking across from the lighthouse.”

– Katy Phillips

“We came because we had two dogs with us. A few other people had theirs too. Very comfortable beach. There are changing rooms and toilets and everything.
I loved the trees on the path leading up to the water : it felt like an island. Nice, fine sand. Would definitely come back.
It seems like the parking here is really expensive during the regular season but we came off season on a nice day.”

– Nicole B Garcia

“A beautiful beach with ample parking and a lovely path leading to the shore. The dunes and waves were very impressive. We saw several seals frolicking in the water, and there were rumors of a great white shark sighting. The sand is soft and clean; a beautiful beach! The lighthouse is toward the end of the parking lot – not as rusticly beachfront as I expected (it had to be moved inland years ago due to beach erosion), but still very picturesque for a few photos on our way out.”

– Diane Libby

“Old Silver Beach is a gem on Cape Cod. The sandy shores and clear, calm waters make it perfect for families and anyone looking to relax by the ocean. The sunsets here are breathtaking and make for some beautiful photo opportunities. There’s plenty of space to spread out, and the facilities are well-maintained with clean restrooms and a convenient snack bar. Parking can be a bit tricky on busy days, so arriving early is a good idea. Overall, Old Silver Beach offers a fantastic beach day experience with its stunning views and inviting atmosphere. Highly recommended!”

– I DO Wedding

“Beautiful and warm water beach in Massachusetts (not many warm beaches in NE). Clean and nice sandy beach. Good view as well for Sunset. Recommended”

– Danny

“Nice beach, some shells, good waves to learn to surf or just cool off…people need to pick up there trash…parking $15-20 all day”

– Diego Espinal

“Went to nantasket June 12th 2024 and happened to be a small tiny fair rides going till June 16th ..
it made the whole day worth 8 hours of relaxing on beach to enjoy..

Beach was not to rocky but has rocks which give you the opportunity for rock hunting or stacking and swimming and beach vibes..

Parking was packed but not impossible at least on a weekday or just before school summer vacation.. definitely plan accordingly when full summer season starts.. parking was 15/20 bucks ma residents and 20 for non ma residents..
hotel, food , gas , fort hull and plenty of adventure space for beautiful views..

Does have bathrooms that are open to dawn to dusk ..

Definitely worth checking it out and beautiful place ✌️❤️💯”

– William Busler

“In summer, dogs are not allowed- you would also need a booking in advance. I sometimes go during summer without a dog, it is a great beach where you can actually swim with the water temp not bad as it is shallow. In autumn-spring, it is a doggo beach. My dog(s) love this beach. I have never walked to the end but I presume it is a very long walk. Crane beach membership is good to support the beach and if you go there often. I have been a member for many years.”

– Yuko Ishii

“I love this beach. They’ve got everything you expect of a privately run operation. The trustees do an excellent job with daily upkeep of the premises. You must order a “day pass” online “The Trustees of Reservations at Crane Beach” website where you can see in and off season rates and availability. Plenty of parking. Changing rooms with bathrooms, no flush composting toilets, and plenty of sinks with always full soap dispensers and multiple hands driers. Changing stalls are convenient so you can easily put on sun tan lotion properly everywhere and change into your swimsuit privately. They also have multiple outdoor shower head wash stations for after your day is done you can get that clammy beachy feel off of your body (would advise to bring some body wash as that helps to have a quick sudsy clean).
They have a shop to commemorate your day at the beach with t-shirts, hoodies, and such like. They also have a place to eat if you don’t come pre-prepared with food.
There are miles of sand dune trails with the trailhead marker in the back right corner (as you come in at your 4 o’clock, roughly) of the main parking lot to access them all. Be prepared and pace yourself as a few miles will feel like more due to the nature of sand, and there are some tough trails that will leave you huffing and puffing if you try to run them for any length of time.”

– Dreamboat MacGillicutty

“This beach is so nice for little kids. It’s shallow for a long time, which is perfect for smaller kids. The rocks are so fun to explore, whether low or high tide. Love going off-season because the only downside is the hefty parking fee.”

– Jessica MacPherson

“The parking lot is a couple hundred feet from the beach, and there are about 2 entrances to the beach, located on either side of the parking lot. The parking requires a permit that you have to purchase beforehand, on the Gloucester city website, and it costs $35 per car.

There is a shop with clothes, shoes, hats, etc. and there is a little food stand with some fried foods, drinks, and desserts. There are about 4 bathroom stalls in the parking lot, as well, which was great. There are some.rock formations on either end of the beach/shore, which are easy to climb and have a better look at the beach. The water is shallow and the tide comes in about twice a day during the Summer, it seems. When the tide is out, there is a small tide pool/puddles for kiddos to play in. The water was surprisingly, very cold, but was a welcome thing as it was very hot out.

There are some small dunes along the walkway to the beach, which house some biting dragonfly-type bugs, so be careful and maybe carry some bug spray with you, especially if you won’t be going in the water.

Overall, it was a great time, and the crystal-clear water and lovely, soft sand was a very welcome site. We’d definitely like to go back!”

– Serene Sandy

“Nahant Beach is a hidden gem just outside of Boston! The beach is clean, spacious, and offers stunning views of the ocean. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing day out—whether you’re swimming, sunbathing, or just taking a peaceful walk along the shore. There’s plenty of parking, and the atmosphere is calm and family-friendly. It’s a great escape from the city without traveling too far. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Boston area!”

– BehNaz M

“This is the best beach in the Boston area. The water is clear, the waves are not too bad, and the sand is amazing. Very good vibes. Nice if you can find a way to bike in so you don’t need to worry about parking craziness”

– Rose Sinclair

“This beach is quite hidden. I saw reviews and knew I had to check it out. There seems to be a decent sized parking lot, I went on the off-season, so I have NO idea how quickly/easily it gets packed or anything. It took a bit for me to figure out where the beach was, so it is quite literally a hidden gem. Because it’s so small, it’s the perfect size for little ones, and mine had fun climbing the rock stairs to see the top of the rocks. There’s also a playground in the area, some walking trails, LOTS of benches to sit as well as picnic tables. Plenty of space/field for kids to run around safely as well. I’m glad I went and hope to go back again.”

– Jessica MacPherson

“Beautiful cove like beach . It gives vacation vibes all the way. Nice rocks you can climb. The park its in is very nice, good walking trails. Super clean area! However, the beach is very rocky, even in the water (which is shallow) the rocks continue. Not comfy for swimming and chilling in the water. Nice sand though further up the shore. Great place to sit and tan and take cute photos!”

– Melissa E

“Plenty of parking lots and very near ( 20 USD); bathrooms were nice and clean, just be mindful of the schedule. You will find them closed before 7 am and after 8pm everyday. The beach was beautiful: clean not super busy, waves were coming in hot, and water icy cold, as usual.. The view of the sky at sunset was breathtaking. The day was cloudy and warm.”

– Cecilia Corrales

“So I came here a few weeks ago with my husband for our first time. Get there early since there are limited spots for non residents, parking was only $25 for the day.

PROS:
I thought it was cool there was a light house right across from he parking lot.
We liked hat the beach didn’t get packed and we were literally on an island of our own however we did go in June.
We enjoyed watching the many boats come in and out of the bay area.
We took a nice walk away from our spot down the further spot of the beach and we enjoyed that walk and finding seaglass and seeing the view from that side.

CONS:
My first complaint is how far away the bathrooms are which are only 3 porta potties. You walk down this long wooden ramp and if you stop to soon you can’t even see the water, so you have to lug all your beach equipment very far to the edge to see the water.

The sand is really hard and isn’t wracked by the way, so there was ocean and other people trash everywhere.

We didn’t like that right where we were sitting people walked up and started fishing, which didn’t make us want to go in the water.”

– ELOCIN RUZAM

“Very nice quiet beach. Low waves and great for kids. A Long Beach so you can have privacy. Sandy grassy dunes. Some shells to hunt. The canal is accessible from this parking lot and you can bike the cape cod canal from here.”

– Joyce Hart

“Clean. Pet & Family oriented. Beach was crystal clear. Many activities to do at beach and on campsite (no full hook up). Free hot shower/bathroom with warm shower/ rinse off outside of shower. Our favorite place to go yearly! Beautiful sunset. Campsite book fast!”

– Nga Nguyen

“So beautiful. I love the winter here. In the summer it’s so so busy. In the winter, it’s actually refreshing.

You aren’t supposed to walk your dogs without a leash here. Maybe half the people respect that. I wish all would. It is a shared space and I’m terrified of dogs.

Lots of free parking in the winter. Gorgeous sunrises. Sunsets are over the ocean on the other side of the isle.

There are ramps down to the beach so it is accessible. In the summer there are bathhouses too.”

– Kristy Johnson

“This is my second time to this beach while visiting Boston and I love it here. It’s very different from the Jersey beaches where I live in that the waves are so much more calm and you can walk out really far and still only be waist-deep. The water was cold today, but so refreshing. The water and beach are really clean – there’s lots of parking but it seems to fill fast. I didn’t get here until after 4pm and I was able to find a spot after driving around for a few minutes. The beach goers are a racially diverse crowd which I appreciate. I also like that while there are many families, you can find space where little kids aren’t running all over you. I forgot to bring towels so me and my two teenagers sat on the rocks which seem like they were out there for that purpose!”

– kiina dordoni

“First public beach in the US? Oh, yes! And still lovely. Come even when there’s not a sandcastle contest. Watch out for the seagulls and their crabshell treasure trove! And so easy to reach on the train!”

– Laurence Jackson

“One of the cleanest beaches I’ve been to in the lower 48! I might warn you, the broken clam shells and rocks can be a burden walking on stepping on in your bare feet! I’d recommend water shoes or footwear you can wear on the beach & in the water! The International Sand Sculpture exhibition really was fabulous! There’s parking available if you arrive early. Plenty of places just off the Beach to buy food & drinks.”

– Jon Slinger

“Great place for snorkeling or diving… long rock wall Getty that gets to be about 40 ft at high tide…”

– Robin Ordelheide

“Don’t think about finding a parking space, but if you’re lucky enough to have a friend that can let you visit nearby, do it.”

– Nate King

“This is such a beautiful and picturesque spot for watching a sunset!! Sweet little swimming cove as well.”

– Sabrina Arguello

“This is a cute little place that has a beach with limited parking on the road. A local told us that National Gepgraphic named it as a “best place to view the sunset”. Seems likely. We came on a chilly day after the busy season. The beach is nice than some of the others as it had space for sandcastles, etc. There’s a baseball field across the street.”

– Tamara Houser

“Enjoyed a nice walk along the beach. Plenty of wildlife and good views.
Free parking along the seawall and a few choices of restaurants right across the street.”

– Kevin

“Visited the beach with family and we all loved it. It’s a very scenic, clean and long beach just perfect for an evening/ morning stroll”

– Tauseef Shahid

“Beautiful, spacious and serene. Now that they’ve filled in the potholes on the entrance road, you really can’t go wrong. Watch the tide schedule as high tide can make sandy areas a but more scarce along certain parts of the beach.”

– Heidi Fox

“Plymouth Beach is a beautiful and serene destination located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is known for its stunning sunsets that can indeed resemble a painting, especially in the evenings. The beach offers a spacious and peaceful environment for visitors to enjoy. However, this is not among the best beaches around Boston.

One thing to keep in mind is the tide schedule. During high tide, certain parts of the beach may have less sandy area available due to the water’s encroachment. So, it’s a good idea to check the tide schedule if you plan to visit.

Overall, Plymouth Beach is a picturesque spot along the coast of Massachusetts, offering a tranquil setting for those looking to enjoy nature and breathtaking sunsets.”

– Nikhil I