Boston Beaches - The Very Best Beaches Near Boston
Gloucester Beaches, Gloucester, $$
Gloucester boats several great family-friendly beaches that make the perfect day trip from Boston and environs. Swim, sun, walk, wade, or just relax. Bring a book and enjoy a day at the beach.
Gloucester boats several great family-friendly beaches that make the perfect day trip from Boston and environs. Swim, sun, walk, wade, or just relax. Bring a book and enjoy a day at the beach.
Gloucester Waterfront, Gloucester, Free
Walk along the boardwalk and watch the boats and catch the ocean breeze. A nice day trip from points west and south of Boston and Cape Cod.
Walk along the boardwalk and watch the boats and catch the ocean breeze. A nice day trip from points west and south of Boston and Cape Cod.
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport
Halibut Point is made of sheets of 440 million year-old granite that now descend from rocky headland to the tidal pools below.
Halibut Point is made of sheets of 440 million year-old granite that now descend from rocky headland to the tidal pools below.
Horseneck State Beach, Westport, $
A gorgeous 3 mile stretch of sandy beach. Features a bathhouse, snack bar, picnic tables, hiking, swimming and a campground next to the beach.
A gorgeous 3 mile stretch of sandy beach. Features a bathhouse, snack bar, picnic tables, hiking, swimming and a campground next to the beach.
Lake Boon, Stow, $
Lake Boon in Stow has a quiet, family friendly beach (Stow Town Beach) with a playground and bathrooms. The beach is located at the north end of the lake, off of Sudbury Road.
Lake Boon in Stow has a quiet, family friendly beach (Stow Town Beach) with a playground and bathrooms. The beach is located at the north end of the lake, off of Sudbury Road.
Lake Gardner, Amesbury, Free
A small, public beach within walking distance of downtown Amesbury, Lake Gardner is an excellent summer destination for parents seeking a quiet, stress-free trip to the beach!
A small, public beach within walking distance of downtown Amesbury, Lake Gardner is an excellent summer destination for parents seeking a quiet, stress-free trip to the beach!
Long Beach, Rockport, $$$
Long Beach in rockport, is a long, protected stretch of ocean and sand, backed by a cement retaining wall and lined with summer cottages. From Long Beach you can easily view the twin lighthouses on Thacher’s Island.
Long Beach in rockport, is a long, protected stretch of ocean and sand, backed by a cement retaining wall and lined with summer cottages. From Long Beach you can easily view the twin lighthouses on Thacher’s Island.
Marconi Beach, Cape Cod
Marconi Beach is a beautiful beach that is part of the Cape Code National Seashore in Massachusetts. Visitors can explore this historic area using a nature trail, swim in the ocean, and enjoy activities such as surfing...
Marconi Beach is a beautiful beach that is part of the Cape Code National Seashore in Massachusetts. Visitors can explore this historic area using a nature trail, swim in the ocean, and enjoy activities such as surfing...
Nahant Beach Reservation, Nahant, $
Nahant's 'Long Beach' is an easy drive from most spots around Boston. You'll find ample parking and tons of space on the beach. More importantly, the sand is soft, the water is very shallow for a great distance, and...
Nahant's 'Long Beach' is an easy drive from most spots around Boston. You'll find ample parking and tons of space on the beach. More importantly, the sand is soft, the water is very shallow for a great distance, and...
Nara Park & Swim Area, Acton, $$
NARA Park is a relatively new park which was opened just six years ago off Rt. 27 in Acton, MA. NARA Park is open to the public year round. This is a beautiful place to your family.
NARA Park is a relatively new park which was opened just six years ago off Rt. 27 in Acton, MA. NARA Park is open to the public year round. This is a beautiful place to your family.
Odiorne Point State Park, New Hampshire, $
Odiorne Point, the largest undeveloped stretch of shore on New Hampshire's 18-mile coast, offers lots of fun for nature-lovers: picknicking, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, nature walking, cross-country skiing, and...
Odiorne Point, the largest undeveloped stretch of shore on New Hampshire's 18-mile coast, offers lots of fun for nature-lovers: picknicking, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, nature walking, cross-country skiing, and...
Plum Island, Newburyport
Plum Island is an 11 mile long barrier Island off the shore of Newburyport and Newbury. The island has many residences, a national wildlife refuge, small shops and restaurants, and of course miles of beautiful sandy...
Plum Island is an 11 mile long barrier Island off the shore of Newburyport and Newbury. The island has many residences, a national wildlife refuge, small shops and restaurants, and of course miles of beautiful sandy...
Revere Beach, Revere
The 3-mile crescent will be packed with Boston-area sunbathers and breeze-seekers on sweltering summer days, even in the middle of the week.
The 3-mile crescent will be packed with Boston-area sunbathers and breeze-seekers on sweltering summer days, even in the middle of the week.
Salem Willows Park, Salem, Free
Beautiful shaded seaside grounds, scenic ocean views, public pier, picnic areas, beaches, children's rides, activities and many eateries.
Beautiful shaded seaside grounds, scenic ocean views, public pier, picnic areas, beaches, children's rides, activities and many eateries.
Singing Beach, Manchester-by-the-Sea, $
Singing Beach, Manchester is one of the best beaches in MA and includes a beautiful sandy beach, restrooms and a nice concession stand. Limited Parking.
Singing Beach, Manchester is one of the best beaches in MA and includes a beautiful sandy beach, restrooms and a nice concession stand. Limited Parking.
Spring Brook Park Swim Area, Bedford, $$
Beach, dock, playground, sprinkler park, volleyball, picnic area, grills, basketball court, concession. Daily rates & memberships available for Bedford residents only.
Beach, dock, playground, sprinkler park, volleyball, picnic area, grills, basketball court, concession. Daily rates & memberships available for Bedford residents only.
Wayland Town Beach, Wayland
Wayland Town Beach is one of the many facilities operated by the Park and Recreation Department in Wayland.
Wayland Town Beach is one of the many facilities operated by the Park and Recreation Department in Wayland.
Wollaston Beach, Quincy, Free
Wollaston Beach is the largest Boston Harbor beach, providing more than one and a half miles of shoreline access. This urban beach features a continuous walkway, seawall, and concession stands on the land side of Quincy...
Wollaston Beach is the largest Boston Harbor beach, providing more than one and a half miles of shoreline access. This urban beach features a continuous walkway, seawall, and concession stands on the land side of Quincy...
Our list of the best beaches in Boston includes beaches within the city limits, and within about an hour drive of downtown. Each beach features different amenities - it just depends on what you are looking for. Some beaches offer lots of waves for boogie boarding, other beaches are more protected with low surf, and are great for families with small children.
Find out which beaches have the most parking, the best waves, and which offer with bathrooms, showers, snack shacks and lifeguards.