Boston Beaches - The Very Best Beaches Near Boston
Massachusetts boasts a wide array of beautiful beaches to explore and enjoy all year long. Many beaches are just a short drive from Boston. Which one is right for you and your family?
We can say with authority, that the north and south shores, Revere, Cape Cod, and the New Hampshire and southern Maine coasts are all extremely accessible to the Boston area, and offer a wide variety of fun beach destinations. Summer family beach enjoyment can be found both within the city limits, and a short driving distance away from Boston, MA.
For more information including photos, parking tips, & more, visit our guide to Beaches near Boston to get a sense of what awaits you on your next visit.
Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester, $$$
Wingaersheek Beach has white sands, crystal clear waters, and huge rocks in the water that you can climb around at low tide. The beach goes on forever at low tide and the water stays shallow for a long time - plenty of...
Wingaersheek Beach has white sands, crystal clear waters, and huge rocks in the water that you can climb around at low tide. The beach goes on forever at low tide and the water stays shallow for a long time - plenty of...
Crane Beach, Ipswich, $$$
Four miles of white sand and gentle surf, voted 'Best Beach' of Boston three years running. Bathhouses, lifeguards, and concession stand onsite and ample parking.
Four miles of white sand and gentle surf, voted 'Best Beach' of Boston three years running. Bathhouses, lifeguards, and concession stand onsite and ample parking.
Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, $$$
Good Harbor Beach is a beautiful beach with lovely, white sand, and great waves facing the Atlantic. There is a concession stand, rest rooms, and showers.
Good Harbor Beach is a beautiful beach with lovely, white sand, and great waves facing the Atlantic. There is a concession stand, rest rooms, and showers.
Castle Island & Carson Beach at Fort Independence, Boston, Free
Great shoreline park with views of Logan planes landing, beaches, endless walkways, playground, snacks at Sullivan's, and of course Fort Independence.
Great shoreline park with views of Logan planes landing, beaches, endless walkways, playground, snacks at Sullivan's, and of course Fort Independence.
Stage Fort Park Beaches, Gloucester, $$
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.
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.
Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Cod, $$
The Cape Cod Seashore offers six swimming beaches, eleven self-guiding nature trails, and a variety of picnic areas and scenic overlooks.
The Cape Cod Seashore offers six swimming beaches, eleven self-guiding nature trails, and a variety of picnic areas and scenic overlooks.
Constitution Beach, Boston, Free
Constitution Beach has swimming areas with lifeguards, a bathhouse with concessions, a relatively new, large playground, and tennis courts.
Constitution Beach has swimming areas with lifeguards, a bathhouse with concessions, a relatively new, large playground, and tennis courts.
Duxbury Beach Park, Duxbury
Two beaches in one (Inner Beach and Outer Beach) as the beach is sort of a thin penninsula with a parking lot in the middle. Overall, the beach is a long thin stretch that is somewhat 'stoney' along the shore.
Two beaches in one (Inner Beach and Outer Beach) as the beach is sort of a thin penninsula with a parking lot in the middle. Overall, the beach is a long thin stretch that is somewhat 'stoney' along the shore.
Front Beach, Rockport, $$
Sandy Bay acts as the beautiful backdrop for Front Beach, the perfect beach for the swimmer in your group! There is a floating dock that you can swim out to - and at low tide, you can hunt for seaglass and small ocean...
Sandy Bay acts as the beautiful backdrop for Front Beach, the perfect beach for the swimmer in your group! There is a floating dock that you can swim out to - and at low tide, you can hunt for seaglass and small ocean...
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.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury, $
Salisbury Beach is a popular northern Massachusetts beach destination stretching 3.8 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. Swimming, boating, fishing and camping.
Salisbury Beach is a popular northern Massachusetts beach destination stretching 3.8 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. Swimming, boating, fishing and camping.
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.