Boston's Best Beaches

Only a few miles outside Boston are some choice seaside spots that are clean, beautiful, and much easier to get to than Cape Cod (which can be a fairly grueling drive from Beantown on a summer weekend). Realizing that every beach has something slightly different to offer, we have profiled four of the beaches that we consider best in categories of interest to various types of beachgoers.

Best Overall

Crane Beach
Argilla Road, Ipswich
(978)-356-4354
Admission is half-price when entering after 3:00 PM. Open 8 am to sunset.
Nestled in the northern suburb of Ipswich, Crane Beach (referred to by those in the know as Crane's) is definitely one of the most magnificent beaches in the area. There are about four miles of sand here that make for picturesque early morning walks. Such quiet hikes are harder to come by later in the day, though, since Crane tends to attract a fair number of nature and outdoor enthusiasts. As the beach gets more crowded, we recommend strolling through Crane's Pine Hollow Interpretive Trail, a short path that winds through sand, pines, and swamp. A good hour on foot will take you to the lush 165 acres of nearby Castle Hill Estate. The swimming at Crane Beach is fairly good, although the water stays on the cold side all summer long. Usually the current is weak, which makes Crane a nice place for less experienced swimmers. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Crane Beach is a 45-minute drive (about 30 miles) from Boston. To get there, take the Tobin/Mystic Bridge to Route 1 North. Take Route 1 to Route 128 North, and follow that highway to Route 1A North 9 (Exit 20). After Route 133 turns off on the right, take the third right, onto Argilla Road. Crane Beach is two and a half miles down the road.

Best Family Beach

Wingaersheek Beach
Gloucester
A small, scenic cove of dunes at the mouth of the Annisquam River, Wingaersheek Beach is a relatively safe, manageable place to take young children. The beach itself is in a protected inlet, and the water, cold enough to dissuade active children from venturing out too far, is not very rough or deep. There are great rocks for climbing and a nice beach for playing games in the sand. Every time we visit Wingaersheek, we are taken aback by the friendliness of the atmosphere, which can probably be attributed to the fact that families are the mainstay crowd here. Parents will appreciate the quaint scenery, including the Annisquam lighthouse. Wingaersheek's major disadvantage is its small parking lot, which fills quickly. In the summer, plan to arrive before 9:30 AM or you may have difficulty finding a parking spot. More than once, we have been thwarted in our efforts to find a space and ended up at nearby Good Harbor beach, which is more crowded and less charming. Wingaersheek is situated approximately 35 miles north of Boston. To get to Wingaersheek, take the Tobin/Mystic Bridge to Route 1 North. Take Route 1 North to Route 128 North. Take Exit 13 to Atlantic Street, which leads to the beach entrance.

Best Swimming

Buzzards Bay Beaches
Falmouth
Located between Falmouth and the southern state coast, Buzzards Bay boasts the warmest water temperatures in Massachusetts. The locale actually comprises three major public beaches: Old Silver Beach, Chappaquoit Beach, and Wood Neck Beach. Anyone who likes to spend a lot of time in the ocean should make the extra effort to drive here; most of the other area beaches (especially on the North Shore) are too cold for extended aquatic recreation, even in the summer. We are especially fond of Old Silver Beach, which is significantly less windy than most New England beaches and features very clear, dark aqua water. After high tide, small tidal pools form on one end of Old Silver beach. Old Silver's facilities -- well-equipped changing rooms, outdoor showers, and a snack bar -- are especially nice, and a path to the water gives beach access to wheelchair-bound people. Chappaquoit Beach and Wood Neck Beach are slightly farther from Boston than Old Silver, and they are reputed to be very good places to take children. The facilities at both of these beaches are not as well-kept as those at Old Silver, but they tend to be slightly less crowded. The main disadvantage of the Buzzards Bay beaches is that they are a considerable distance from Boston. The trip takes about an hour and a half, making them a reasonable day trip destination, but too far to go for just a few hours. Take I-93 South to Route 3. Before Route 3 ends at the Sagamore Bridge, take Route 6 West towards Buzzards Bay. Cross the Bourne Bridge and follow Route 28A South. The beaches are all located off this route.

Best People-Watching

Nantasket Beach
Hull
(781) 925-4905
Nantasket has the double advantage of being within a stone's throw of Boston and having more local points of interest than almost any other area shoreline. Of course, these features mean that Nantasket can be extremely crowded when the weather is nice, so it is especially important to get there early. The beach is about three miles long, and the crowd spans every age group and every category. You will find young surfers here right next to troops of senior citizens right next to families with very small children. It makes for a delightful -- if somewhat interesting -- mix. The town of Hull, which is an easy walk from Nantasket Beach, is a tourist-oriented town with good restaurants and attractions. Children of all ages will love the Carousel Under the Clock, which offers cheap rides and a bit of nostalgia. Hull also has a miniature golf course, a lifesaving museum, an arcade, and an art gallery. We are big fans of the Healthy Indulgence Boardwalk Cafe, on 205 Nantasket Avenue, which serves some of the best frozen yogurt around. About half an hour from downtown Boston, Nantasket is one of the easiest beaches in the area to find. By car, take I-93 South to Route 3 South. Follow Route 3 to Route 228. You can also take the MBTA to Nantasket: ride the red line to Quincy and then take the Nantasket bus to the beach.

Other Recommended Boston-Area Beaches

Revere Beach in Revere was one of the first public beaches in the country. It was famous in the early part of the century for its ballrooms, amusement parks, and extensive beach facilities. Although its glory is a little faded, the remaining beach pavilions have recently been renovated, and truckloads of sparkling sand enhance the water's edge. This is a "muscle" beach where cars cruise the strip and bathing beauties of both sexes preen on their beach blankets. Be sure to stop at the famous Kelly's Roast Beef for a snack. Revere Beach is accessible via the Revere or Wonderland stops on the Blue Line.

Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea. This beach gets its name from the melodious squeaking sounds that your feet make in the fine sand. This is one of the most beautiful beaches around, but it has NO PUBLIC PARKING. We have found the best way to get there is by taking the Rockport commuter rail train from North Station to Manchester Station (zone 6) - see MBTA. From there it's about a half mile walk down Beach St. to the beach itself. Don't worry about getting lost because there are so many people who "walk the walk" that it resembles a parade of beach chairs and picnic baskets. The Town of Manchester-by- the-Sea does charge a small walk-on fee at the beach entrance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Plum Island is located in Newburuport on the North Shore of Massachusetts about 30 miles from Boston. It is a small coastal community that blends typical New England charm with the opportunity to bird-watch and hike on a protected national refuge. Plum Island offers an interesting day trip for those in the Boston area -- one replete with all the usual beach-like amenities plus a chance for the naturalist in your group to do some exploring.

What to Avoid

As far as beaches go, we recommend that you stay away from the beaches that lie within the city limits. These urban sites are crowded, hemmed in by the city, and altogether unappealing. In addition, we recommend that the Boston area beach bum try to avoid two common beachgoer mistakes. The first of these is planning to buy food. Since most of the area beaches have fairly limited culinary offerings that are usually overpriced and of low quality, it is best to pack a picnic basket before you leave home. This is especially important since it is nearly impossible to drive anywhere off a beach in the middle of the day without losing all parking privileges. Secondly, be aware of, and stay away from, greenhead flies. These nasty creatures, which are more annoying than anything else, can be deterred with insect repellent. Have enough on hand to last all day.

Best Time to Go

Not surprisingly, all the area beaches are mobbed on summer weekends. During the peak season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it is best to schedule beach trips for the middle of the week. Plan to arrive before 10 o'clock in the morning, as parking spots at many of the beaches are scarce. For those who do not care about returning with a suntan, it can be fun to visit the beaches in the very late afternoon or early evening. Likewise, in the off-season, many of the beaches (such as Crane) are great for romantic strolls.

by Susan McWilliams

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