Gloucester Beaches

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Water Fun

Official Website: Gloucester Beaches
Location: Various Locations, Gloucester, MA map
Phone:(978) 281-9785
Cost: $$

Others to Consider: Kahuna Laguna at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort, Singing Beach, Crane Beach, Wayland Town Beach, Jamaica Pond Boating & Sailing

Gloucester's famous beaches are perfect spots to walk, swim or just relax. Bring a book and enjoy the day.

Good Harbor Beach:
Located on Thatcher Road, Rte. 127A - This is a beautiful beach with lovely, white sand facing the Atlantic. There is a concession stand, rest rooms, and showers. Parking fee is $20 during the week per car; $25, weekends. Parking is limited so plan to arrive early. Reminder: This is a carry-in/carry-out beach. You must take your trash with you. Nothing should be left behind but your footprints.

Directions:
Take Rte. 128 into Gloucester. Follow the signs for East Gloucester/Rockport. Go through two rotaries. Go through the first set of lights. At the second set of lights take a left onto Bass Avenue. Follow that for about a mile. At the intersection of Bass Avenue and Thatcher Rd. Take a left. You will see the beach off to the right.

Wingaersheek Beach:
Situated in the western part of Gloucester on Atlantic Street off Rte. 133 and Concord Street, this beautiful beach is along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. There is a concession, rest rooms and showers. Parking fee is $20 during the week per car; $25, weekends. Parking is limited so plan to arrive early. Both Concord and Atlantic Streets are narrow roads with many curves. Please drive carefully and observe the speed limits for your own safety. Reminder: This is a carry-in/carry out beach. You must take your trash with you. Nothing should be left behind but your footprints.

Directions:
Take Rte. 128 to Exit 14. At the bottom of the ramp, take a right onto Rte. 133. About a mile on the left you will see a small traffic island with a sign saying Wingaersheek Beach. Take this left. This is Concord St. Follow until you reach another traffic island on the corner of Concord and Atlantic St. Take a right. Follow this along to the beach.

Stage Fort Park & Half Moon Beach:
This Park is the historic site of Gloucester's first settlers in 1623. Dorchestermen set up fishing stages on this land. The Park consists of Half Moon and Cressy's beaches. Half Moon is a lovely small beach ideal for families with children. Cressy's Beach is a rocky, more natural beach.

Stage Fort Park has an information center open during the season, rest rooms and on the grounds, a privately owned restaurant open to the public. There is a playground. Visitors can bring grills for cookouts. During the season, there are outdoor concerts and story telling. Check the Calendar of Events for details.

Dogs are allowed in the Park but not on the beaches from May 1st to September 15th. Owners must pick up after their dogs.

Directions & Parking:
Take Exit 14 off Rte. 128. At the bottom of the ramp, take a right onto Rte. 133. Follow to the end with the harbor in front of you. Go right. The Park is located on the left. Parking rates are $10 per car.

Niles Beach:
Located on Eastern Point Road, the beach has a wonderful view of Gloucester Harbor. This beach is sticker parking only.

Pavilion Beach:
The beach is located on the eastern end of Stacy Boulevard. It can be accessed from the Boulevard or through Beach Court. There is no separate parking lot for this beach.

Plum Cove Beach
Located on Washington Street in the northern section of the City. This beach looks out to the Annisquam River. This beach is sticker parking only.

Resident Beach Stickers:
For any questions relating to resident beach stickers, contact the Department of Public Works, Beach and Parks Department at (978) 281-9785.

General Gloucester Beach Rules:
Alcohol is not allowed on any beaches. Dogs are not allowed on beaches from May 1st to September 15th. Please respect our litter laws and help keep our beaches and parks clean. Gloucester has adopted a 'Carry In, Carry Out' policy at Good Harbor and Wingaersheek Beaches. Visitors should be prepared to carry any trash out with them when they leave.

**As with any other park or beautiful place, please respect the area and leave nothing behind except your footprints.**