People enjoy going to the best beaches in Massachusetts for their natural beauty, ambiance and to sunbathe on soft white sands.
Below are a few tips for newcomers to Massachusetts beaches to help you prepare for frolicking during the summer beach season.
Many of the best beaches in Massachusetts are strung along the coast of Cape Cod, whose famous sandy beaches draw hundreds of thousands of fun seekers each year.
Cape Cod, just south of the city of Boston, Massachusetts, houses some of the country’s most famous beaches off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
This popular tourist town sits on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic and is an exclusive destination for Massachusetts residents, US travelers, spring breakers, and those searching for the best summertime fun off the coast of Nantucket Sound.
Contents
- Fun Fact About Cape Cod Beaches
- 10 Best Beaches in Massachusetts
- #1 – Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod
- #2 – Crane Beach, Ipswich
- #3 – Singing Beach, Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA
- #4 – Nauset Beach, Orleans MA
- #5 – Horseneck Beach State Reservation
- #6 – Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA
- #7 – Mayflower Beach, Dennis, MA
- #8 – West Dennis Beach, Cape Cod MA
- #9 – Sandy Neck Beach, Barnstable, MA
- #10 – Old Silver Beach, Buzzard Bay, MA
- Massachusetts Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
Fun Fact About Cape Cod Beaches
Many shipwrecks are rumored to be beneath the waters of Cape Cod beaches, which makes visiting these famous beaches more exciting than ever.
Keep reading to learn about visiting 10 of the best beaches in Massachusetts and how to prepare!
10 Best Beaches in Massachusetts
#1 – Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod
Coast Guard Beach on breathtaking Cape Cod is a local favorite where swimmers and sunbathers go to catch waves and sun rays.
This beach officially belongs to the Cape Cod National Seashore and regularly attracts excited beachgoers each season.
Important Notes
Coast Guard Beach visitors should know there is no nearby parking to access the beach by car.
This means that beachgoers must access the beach via the nearby hiking trail or by beach shuttle.
Entry fees apply at this beach.
Contact Information
Address: 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, Massachusetts – 02667
Website: https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/coast-guard-beach-eastham.htm
#2 – Crane Beach, Ipswich
About the Beach
Crane Beach is on the famed Crane Estate, offering miles of expansive shoreline, rolling sand dunes, and a salt marsh that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each season.
Beach visitors can use this 1200-acre expanse for swimming, hiking, wildlife watching, and sunbathing from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Important Notes
Membership fees, entry fees, or day passes may be required to access this public beach.
Crane Beach is open from 8 am to sunset as long as the weather permits during the summer beach season.
Contact Information
Address: 310 Argilla Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts – 01938
Website: https://thetrustees.org/place/crane-beach-on-the-crane-estate/
#3 – Singing Beach, Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA
About the Beach
Less than a half-mile wide beach has onsite snack stands and accessible restrooms, making it easy for beachgoers to access the sand, sun, and waves and grab an icy cold snack on a blistering hot summer day.
Important Notes
Singing Beach has a 120-parking space lot that can accommodate residents and visitors.
Parking fees and “walk on” beach fees apply for visitors to Singing Beach.
There is a discounted entry and parking fee for local residents who purchase a pass.
Contact Information
Address: 121 Beach Street, Manchester, Massachusetts, 01944
Website: https://www.manchester.ma.us/facilities/facility/details/Singing-Beach-11
#4 – Nauset Beach, Orleans MA
About the Beach
While area surfers and swimmers flock to Nauset Beach during the summer beach season to bask in the sun and take advantage of the soft sands and pleasant beaches, newcomers to the beach say it’s one of the best beaches around the area for an afternoon of water, waves, and fun.
Important Notes
Non-residents of the Orleans area may have to complete an application for parking stickers and pay beach walk-on fees to access Nauset Beach.
Vehicles parked in designated areas without proper stickers or parking passes may be subject to ticketing or towing by local authorities.
Contact Information
Address: 250 Beach Road, Orleans, Massachusetts – 02653
#5 – Horseneck Beach State Reservation
About the Beach
Local residents enjoy camping, swimming, and picnicking at Horseneck Beach State Reservation and Horseneck Beach Campground.
Important Notes
Horseneck Beach is open from 8 am until 8 pm, Sunday through Saturday. Parking fees and reservations are required for beachgoers who want to camp overnight. Visit the Horseneck Beach website to make reservations and learn more.
Contact Information
Address: 5 John Reed Road, Westport, Massachusetts – 02791
Website: https://www.mass.gov/locations/horseneck-beach-state-reservation
#6 – Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA
About the Beach
White sandy beaches, waves crashing and breaking along the shore, and a picturesque coastline are just a few of the features available for Good Harbor Beach visitors in Gloucester.
Local residents and tourists love the expansive feel of the beach and return with families and friends each summer beach season.
However, newcomers should note that reservations, parking, and walk-on beach fees may all apply at Good Harbor Beaches.
Important Notes
Out-of-town guests and non-resident beachgoers must make parking reservations in advance to access the Good Harbor Beach designated parking areas.
There is limited parking availability in the area on weekends and holidays.
Contact Information
Address: 99 Thatcher Road, Gloucester, Massachusetts – 01930
Website: https://gloucester-ma.gov/299/Beach-Information
#7 – Mayflower Beach, Dennis, MA
About the Beach
Mayflower Beach is known for its smooth sands, easy parking access, and proximity to local Massachusetts area eateries and other popular attractions.
Beach visitors flock to Mayflower Beach to frolic in the sun and marvel at the breathtaking sunsets that keep annual visitors coming back for more.
Important Notes
Mayflower Beach has an easily accessible snack bar for beachgoers who want to grab a bite or a cool drink.
Beach regulars report that getting in and out of the parking lot is a breeze with a short trek to the beach.
However, parking fees and beach entry fees may apply.
Contact Information
Address: Dennis, Massachusetts – 02638
#8 – West Dennis Beach, Cape Cod MA
About the Beach
West Dennis Beach is an accessible beach featuring a vast expanse of sand and surf, warm water, and breathtaking views.
Its features make it an ideal location for individuals and families who want to swim, sunbathe, and frolic along the beach during the summer beach season.
Important Notes
This beach has a picnic area, restrooms, and other facilities that make your beach day easier.
Reservations for parking, parking fees, and walk-on beach fees may apply.
Plan your beach day by making sure you have a reservation for the correct date and time to avoid rescheduling and missing out on the fun!
Contact Information
Address: West Dennis Beach, Cape Cod MA
#9 – Sandy Neck Beach, Barnstable, MA
About the Beach
Sandy Neck Beach is a barrier beach located inside the park of the same name in Barnstable, Cape Cod.
This beach and park span almost five thousand acres with plenty of room for swimming, sunbathing, and soaking up the Cape Cod sun.
Beachgoers at Sandy Neck can take advantage of touring the lush forests and natural marshes, home to local land and sea-based wildlife.
Contact Information
Address: 425 Sandy Neck Road, West Barnstable, MA -02668
Website: https://www.town.barnstable.ma.us/sandyneckpark/default.aspx
#10 – Old Silver Beach, Buzzard Bay, MA
About the Beach
Beachgoers visit Buzzard Bay’s Old Silver Beach to enjoy its clear waters and serene landscape that offers spectacular views from the shore.
Swimmers and sunbathers can bask in the sun at Old Silver Beach and cool off with refreshments at the onsite snack bar.
Important Notes
Old Silver Beach has separate sections for residents and visitors.
Plan accordingly by researching the beach, parking, non-resident fees, and concessions when preparing to visit Old Silver Beach for the first time.
Contact Information
Address: 296 Quaker Road, Falmouth, Massachusetts – 02540
Website: https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/places-to-go/old-silver-beach/
Massachusetts Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Massachusetts Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay an entry fee to access beaches in Massachusetts?
Newcomers to Cape Cod beaches may be surprised to learn that they have to pay an entry fee or “walk-on” fee to access many area beaches.
Beach entry fees can range from ten to twenty dollars per person.
Research the beach you want to visit online (in advance) to learn about beach fees for parking, entry fees, permits, and concessions.
Are dogs allowed on Cape Cod beaches?
The rules on bringing your furry family member to the beach in Cape Cod vary by location.
While some coastal sites allow dogs on the beach, others have strict restrictions against allowing pets.
Check the beach website for rules and regulations of the beach you plan to visit before wasting a trip.
Are there lifeguards on duty at Massachusetts beaches?
Most public beaches in Cape Cod and around Massachusetts will have certified lifeguards on duty during scheduled hours.
Check the opening hours and lifeguard schedule for the beach you want to visit to inquire about if a lifeguard will be on duty during your trip.
Do Cape Cod beaches have any restrictions on beach activities such as bonfires or alcohol consumption?
Rules and regulations for pets, bonfires, camping, and alcohol consumption vary between Massachusetts beaches.
While some beaches allow these activities on and around the beach, other Cape Cod beaches expressly prohibit them.
Check the beach’s website in advance to learn more about rules, regulations, and what you can bring to the beach.
