The beaches in Massachusetts are filled with stunningly beautiful coastal towns, and Massachusetts can be considered a great destination to visit year-round. Despite the cold weather prevailing in much of the state and the snow being a major attraction for most tourists, the beaches in Massachusetts have been gaining more and more visibility, marking their presence among the most beautiful beaches in the United States.
Located in the northeastern region of the United States, Massachusetts is part of the famous region called New England, also made up of the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The state is one of the great financial centers of the country and also one of the main destinations for immigrants, mainly Latin Americans.
The 10 best beaches in Massachusetts
Table of Contents
The beaches in Massachusetts are very popular destinations during the summer, there are 1,500 miles of coastline in the state and it is in the coastal part where the highest temperatures are found. Discover now the 10 beaches in Massachusetts that are the most popular among tourists:
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Cape cod
Cape Cod’s beautiful beaches are among the most beautiful in the world. Stretching over 100 km along the Atlantic coast, the peninsula is off the coast of Massachusetts and is one of the most popular destinations in the New England region. Cape Cod has a half-rounded shape, resembling a horseshoe, on its north coast is Cape Cod Bay and on the south are the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
The place is where the millionaires of Boston and other nearby regions usually spend their summer vacations, so it is quite common to come across several mansions on the peninsula. There are several villages and small towns scattered throughout Cape Cod, each with its particularities and charms. Among the main attractions of the peninsula are:
The beaches and dunes:
There are miles of beaches that are among the most beautiful on the East Coast. With fine white sand, some have calmer and shallower waters and others have rougher waves. There are also areas for whale watching, with boat excursions guided by marine biologists and researchers. The best time is from April to November when they usually return with their young to the Stellwagen Bank region.
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It is a great place to practice canoeing, deep sea fishing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Many surfers head out in search of strong waves in the Race Point region, which is part of the Seashore National Park. The sand dunes in the Provincetown area are lovely and there are many excursions to explore them.
Cape Cod National Seashore Park:
A coastal preservation area that contains numerous marine, terrestrial, freshwater and estuary ecosystems. It is located between the east coast and the north end of Cape Cod and was created on the initiative of former US President John F. Kennedy. The park has several lighthouses and historic structures, beautiful beaches, and hiking trails, it is also possible to do several outdoor activities, such as picnics and bike rides.
The most attractive stretch of the Park is Coast Guard Beach, which is also considered t the most visited of all New England’s national parks.
Old lighthouses:
There are at least 10 lighthouses dotted around Cape Cod, they are ancient and fascinating structures. Among the main ones that are open to the public are Race Point Light (Provincetown), Sandy Neck Lighthouse (Barnstable), and Nobska Light (Falmouth).
Visits to the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard:
The two islands are equally beautiful, but each has its attractions. Nantucket is 48 km off the coast of Cape Cod and was once considered the whaling capital of the world. It is one of the best-protected historic sites in the US and has the most beautiful Georgian, Federal, and Neo-Greek style homes, as well as numerous lighthouses and cranberry swamps.
Martha’s Vineyard is a charming island of beautiful beaches such as the famous Katama Beach and Aquinnah Public Beach. The island also has beautiful farms, blueberry plantations, woods, and charming inns. It is a place full of historic attractions and a favorite spot for surfers and experienced swimmers. The island has more than 300 colorful cottages that were part of the first religious summer camp in the US.
villages:
Among the most famous villages on the peninsula is Provincetown, well known for being a haven for artists and the LGBT public. There are also Barnstable, Chatham, Falmouth, and Hyannis. It is also worth knowing Orleans is considered the commercial center of the region and the small town called Sandwich.
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Revere Beach, Revere
This is America’s oldest public beach, founded in 1896. The beautiful beach is over 3 miles long and is located in the town of Revere, Suffolk County, approximately 8 km from downtown Boston. It’s easily accessible via Boston’s MBTA Blue Line and has a lot to offer, such as boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and more.
Thousands of people who live in the area often go to Revere Beach on weekends to have fun, play with their kids in the sand on the beach, go hiking, play sports like volleyball and soccer and meet friends.
Revere Beach hosts the International Sand Sculpting Festival, a famous sand sculpture competition, which takes place every year in July. An area of the beach is fenced off, forming a temporary art gallery for festival lovers. The festival attracts more than one million visitors and is considered the largest sand sculpture contest in New England.
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Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester
The city is on the north coast of Massachusetts and has beautiful beaches in this region. The most famous beach in the city and one of the most beautiful is Good Harbor Beach, with white sand and refreshing waters. It is well preserved and gathers thousands of people during the summer. During low tide, you can walk to nearby Salt Island via a land bridge and enjoy beautiful views and a new area to explore. The place also has beautiful views of the lighthouses, which increase the charm of the region even during winter.
Good Harbor Beach is among the most popular beaches in the state and has already been named on USA Today’s list of the Top 10 Best Beaches in Massachusetts. The place is ehighlyorganized and started to adopt the policy called Carry In – Carry Out, in which visitors have to take away any garbage or products they consume. Beach gates open at 8 am and close at 9 pm and parking is available during the week for a fee of $25 per vehicle and $30 on weekends and holidays.
The beach structure has beach toys, bathrooms with showers, and food and beverage outlets, among other services.
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Crane Beach, Ipswich
Crane Beach is considered one of the best beaches on the East Coast and has been named the best beach in Massachusetts by USA Today. It is located in the small coastal town of Ipswich, with just over 13,000 inhabitants, in tssex. Crane Beach has clean waters and gentle waves perfect for swimming, white sand, and stunning views.
The place also offers 8 km of trails that pass through the beautiful sand dunes. The beach has been recognized for maintaining a nesting and preservation area for the Tranquil Plover, a small endangered bird species.
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Horseneck Beach State Reserve, Westport
This is a public recreation area located in the southern part of the city of Westport. At the western end of Buzzard’s Bay, Horseneck Beach is 3.2 kilometers long. It is considered one of the most popular facilities in the state and receives thousands of visitors each year. It has activities such as camping, fishing, boat trips, and an area for cycling and windsurfing. It’s also one of New England’s best birding spots.
Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the reserve has an excellent infrastructure to welcome visitors, with services such as picnic areas, a children’s playground, showers, and space for camping, among others. There is a daily parking fee and also for camping.
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Spectacle Island, Boston
Spectacle Island has a panoramic view of Boston Harbor. It is ideal for outdoor adventures, relaxing moments by the sea, and family fun. The Island once served other purposes, such as supporting agriculture and housing resort hotels, but currently serves as one of the main islands in the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.
To get to the Island you need to take a Ferry from Boston, the trip takes about 30 minutes and includes a round-trip ticket to the Park, in addition to transfers to other islands. Tickets start at $19 for adults and you must arrive at least 20 minutes before departure time. The Island has a structure with a Visitor Center, hiking trails, restrooms, and cafeterias with outdoor tables for picnics, among other services.
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Plum Island, Newbury, and Newburyport
Plum Island is a barrier beach island located off the coast of Newbury and Newburyport, northeast of the state. It is approximately 18 km long and got its name from the beach plum bushes that grow in the dunes. The Plum Island Lighthouse is one of the main attractions on the island and next to the beautiful lighthouse you can observe the care that the place has as a bird sanctuary.
Cottage Island Market & Spirits are the ideal place to shop for essentials such as snacks, light items, and beverages during your stay on the island. Then there’s the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, home to hundreds of species of birds, plants, and animals on a massive 4,662-acre site. Visiting the Parker River is certainly a great option for cyclists and nature lovers. Plum Island also has several trails that offer breathtaking views.
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Wingaersheek Beach, West Gloucester
This is one of the best beaches in Massachusetts and has calm waters and protected dunes. The beach is very popular with all age groups and offers amenities such as beach toys, a place for food and drinks, bathrooms with showers, and lifeguards on duty, among other services. Wingaersheek is protected from the open sea and its calm waters form small natural pools, ideal especially for children.
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During low tide, the beach’s sand stretches for hundreds of meters, perfect for those who love to take walks observing the beautiful seaside landscapes. It is prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages on the beach and, as in Good Harbor Beach, there is a Carry In-Carry Out policy. Therefore, visitors must take away all the garbage that was consumed.
The parking fee is US$20 per vehicle on weekdays and US$25 on weekends and holidays.
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Singing Beach, Manchester-by-the-Sea
Singing Beach is located in the city of Manchester-by-the-Sea, located in Cape Ann, County Essex. With a population of just over 5,000, the small town is known for its scenic overlooks and beaches. Praia do Canto (in Portuguese) is known as one of the best beaches in the New England region. The name Singing Beach came about due to the shrill “singing” sounds that the sand makes when walking, a rare phenomenon that ended up making the beach internationally famous.
The beach is also very popular as it has a much larger sandy area than most North Shore beaches, which are traditionally rocky. You can still enjoy the clear water and the beautiful cliffs that surround the beach. Singing Beach is well located and is just half a mile from the city’s train station, which serves places like Boston and Rockport. This is a great advantage since, on high summer days, parking lots tend to be more expensive and crowded.
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Castle Island Beach, Boston
Castle Island is another great beach in Massachusetts a peninsula south of the city of Boston, off the coast of the city’s harbor. It started to be connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, no longer considered an island, in 1928. It is the place where the imposing Fort Independence and the famous Sullivan’s restaurant, known for the local lobster rolls, are located. The peninsula has its beach, which offers picture-postcard views of the city skyline as well as historic Boston Harbor.
The site is managed by the Castle Island Association in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. It has several options for outdoor leisure such as cycling, fishing, walking promenade, and playground, among others.
