12 Best Beaches in New England

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From the rocky coastlines of Maine to the sandy shores of Martha’s Vineyard, New England’s beaches have an idyllic charm.

While the water here may not be that Caribbean shade of blue, these beaches have a loveliness of their own.

The rolling dunes, speckled with sea grasses and bird nests, create a natural beauty worth marveling at.

If it’s your first time exploring beaches in New England, there’s plenty to see and do, from oil paintings of lighthouses overlooking crashing waves to amazing seafood dishes.

Whether you want to sunbathe, fish, swim, sail, surf, or just spend quality time on the shoreline, England has something for you.

12 Best Beaches in New England

If you’re looking to visit a few beaches in the summer months, here are the best beaches in New England that we thought you should try.

1. Coast Guard Beach

The Coast Guard beach is one of the most popular coastlines in Massachusetts.

Located in the southern part and managed by Cape Cod National Seashore, this beach has plenty to offer both visitors and locals.

The shoreline is spacious enough and perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, beach walks, and building castles in the sand.

There are specific areas for swimmers, surfers, and boogie boarding.

This place also has a lovely boardwalk for cycling and other amenities such as lifeguard stations and restrooms.

If you’re lucky, you may encounter a seal during the summer months.

Be sure to give them space whenever you encounter them.

2. Mohegan Bluffs Beach

If you’re looking to visit a secluded beach in New England, head to Mohegan Bluffs Beach.

This 200-foot beach in Rhode Island is accessible through a 141-step staircase.

Many people like to come here as they consider this beach one of the most beautiful places you can visit in New England.

It’s tucked away beneath, and you need to dig the privacy that the bluffs offer to get that jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean from above.

You can enjoy many engaging activities here with your partner or group of friends.

If you like to hike, the Mohegan Bluffs provide an opportunity, and the reward is a scenic view that is worth a thousand photos.

After taking advantage of the scenery fully, you can go down the 141-step staircase to the beach and have a calm, laid-back experience.

You can picnic, swim, surf or sunbathe.

3. East Beach

Also known as Leland Beach, the east beach is another great place to be during summer in New England.

This picture-perfect beachfront sits on Martha’s Vineyard, which is just two minutes ferry ride away from Edgartown.

There’s a 14-acre garden open to the public for exploring.

This place is home to exotic and native plants, a wooden bridge, a pond, and a pine grove.

It’s a wonderful place to visit after getting enough water.

Surfers, anglers, and adventure enthusiasts come here to enjoy the water as well as the surrounding features, such as the wildlife refuge, the beautiful shoreline, and the lighthouse.

A few unique bird species also frequent this place and, in most cases, outnumber the people who visit.

4. Narragansett Town Beach

If surfing is your favorite water sport, you will like your experience here.

With more than 40 miles of stunning coastline, Narragansett is a beautiful beach surrounded by miles of sandy beaches and punctuated by mudflats and salt ponds.

The mile-long beach tends to get busy as it is easy to walk thanks to its white sandy shore.

Surfers also like it here due to its soft, curling waves, which can get tall but well-spaced out.

Non-surfers can enjoy other features such as wildflowers, bird watching, sunbathing, fishing, and walking.

For an amazing sunset view, choose a restaurant with an outdoor deck.

5. Goose Rocks Beach

Another perfect getaway in Maine is Goose Rocks Beach which has been one of the most popular beaches for generations.

Get ready to swim in cool gentle waters protected by barrier reefs or walk on the white powdery sand.

As you enjoy the cool waters in hot weather, you may spot seals coming up to the shore to rest.

If you have children, this beach is family-friendly, meaning your children will have plenty to do.

The parking lot is not far away, so you have an easy time unloading and loading your things.

There’s also a grocery store where you can get yummy summer snacks like ice cream and sandwiches for you and your family.

6. Ogunquit Beach

Stretching 3.5 miles of sand, Ogunquit Beach is one of the top beaches in Maine.

It is constantly ranked as one of the most popular beaches in New England and the entire country for a good reason.

Interesting beach activities reign supreme here, and there’s something for everyone.

You can kayak, watch whales, play beach volleyball, sail, tube, bike, raft, or sunbathe.

You don’t have to bring your snacks from home unless you prefer to, as the destination has numerous eateries and snack shops to get what you want.

7. Crane Beach

Crane Beach is a beautiful beach located on the Atlantic Ocean in Massachusetts.

This beach extends for over two miles and boasts a sweep of sand and salt mash area around the entrance.

The sandy bottom makes it an ideal place for families to gather, swim, sunbathe, picnic, and enjoy each other’s company.

Crane Beach is also known as one of the safest beaches in New England, especially for kids.

Its clean white spacious sand meats the gentle shallow waters, which is the right level for children to jump and play around.

Nature lovers can take walks on the five-mile trails and pine forests nearby.

The best time to visit this place is during the hot summer months as the place can be quite cold after.

8. Singing Beach

Singing Beach is popular, and well known for its beauty and singing sands.

The tiny crystals in the sand amplify and reflect the sound waves, making it sound like you’re next to a waterfall.

You may not always be able to catch the phenomena as some days you can hear it and others you won’t.

Bird watchers like coming here as many bird species frequent this place, including eider ducks, herring gulls, and loons.

The coastline is well maintained, so run barefoot all you want.

9. Plymouth Beach

Plymouth was settled in 1620 by the pilgrims and is often dubbed as the birthplace of America, making it one of ten the most visited towns in New England.

During summer, people crowd this place to enjoy different activities, including watching the ship.

The town is safe, but there are regulations regarding what you can do on the beach and when you can go there.

The stunning beach offers a great opportunity to walk, swim, picnic, and fish.

The beach is also home to several threatened or endangered shorebirds, making it a great destination for bird watching.

10. Jenness Beach

Located in the town of Rye, Jenness Beach is a small and charming state park facing the Atlantic Ocean.

Visitors can enjoy quality time, relaxing and resting on the warm, soft sand.

Active individuals can engage in swimming, surfing, and fishing.

Restrooms and showers are available in the areas the lifeguards are attentive and ready to care for your needs.

Dogs are allowed here all day long, but they must be leashed at all times and need to be attended to.

11. Lighthouse Beach

Every inch of the Lighthouse beach practically drips with charm.

Many people flock here to watch sailing ships and private yachts pull into the port.

With the freshly painted white and black exterior, the lighthouse looks like it was plucked from a postcard.

You can enjoy taking a walk on the soft sand, sunbathing, swimming, and surfing.

12. Crescent Beach State Park

Just 20 minutes of driving from downtown Portland, you will come across this beautiful beach with waving sea grass and fine sands.

The Crescent Beach State Park is situated on Cope Elizabeth.

As its name implies, the cove forms a gentle curve that is largely free from treacherous currents and fierce waves.

After a good day of relaxing and sunbathing, head into Portland for some amazing cuisines.