The 25+ Best Massachusetts Beaches
Massachusetts is one of the oldest states in America. With a rich and storied past stretching to the landing of the Mayflower, the state, and its capital city, Boston, have been welcoming visitors for centuries now. Located on the North Eastern Atlantic seaboard, Massachusetts has an impressive 192 miles of coastline given it is a relatively small state by area.
The most well-known, most beloved and visited beaches in Massachusetts are based on Cape Cod. Known across the state as simply “the Cape”, it's frequented by everyone from young people wanting to party on the beach to wealthy families with properties that have been passed down through the generations, to older people looking for a getaway by the seaside. With such varied visitors, the different beach towns, areas and beaches themselves all have their own charm, atmosphere and aspect that set the apart from each other.
If you're looking for upmarket beaches that are frequented by the rich and famous, head to Martha's Vineyard. Not an actual vineyard, but an exclusive island just off the Cape, it has become synonymous with extended families that go away for the summer and spend their days exploring the golden sand beaches, sailing and enjoying other outdoor pursuits.
If you want to bring the budget down a bit then head to Provincetown or P-Town on the northern tip of Cape Cod. Landing sight of the Mayflower in 1620, things have moved on somewhat and it's now a thriving seaside town with an established LGBT+ scene. Take a stroll around the harbour, enjoy the beaches and eat the freshest lobster roll you're ever going to have in your life.
Massachusetts might be best known for Boston and its exciting history, but when it comes to beach holidays, it's got some hidden secrets to share.
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1. Coast Guard Beach // Cape Cod
Margo Tabb Great for:- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
When you arrive at Coast Guard Beach, you will be met with an stunning view over marshlands, sand dunes to the wide sandy beach and ocean beyond. The boardwalk runs right up to the beach, and provides disabled access.
People love the soft sand, and they come from far and wide to enjoy this pristine stretch of coast. It does get crowded in the summer, but if you walk in… read more »
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2. Good Harbor Beach
pfly Great for:- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
Good Harbour Beach is a public beach which sits at the mouth of a river, opposite Salt Island just east of the city of Gloucester. During low tide, visitors can even walk to Salt Island. Access to Good Harbor Beach is via its dedicated car park off Thatcher Road, or via the footbridge which crosses the river mouth at the beach's western end, close to its volleyball courts.
Surrounded by dunes… read more »
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3. Skaket Beach // Cape Cod
Liza Great for:- Family
- Swimming
Skaket Beach lies on the west coast of Cape Cod facing into the sheltered waters of Cape Cod Bay. This makes it a very different proposition to the Atlantic facing beaches on the east coast.
Just a stone's throw cross-country from Nauset Beach on the opposite coast, Skaket Beach is different in nearly every way imaginable. Instead of being pounded by some of the biggest waves on the Cape, Skaket is… read more »
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4. Singing Beach
© Vitor Pamplona Great for:- Family
- Swimming
A picturesque crescent of soft golden sand between rocky headland is what makes Singing Beach one of the most popular on the North Shore. At around half a mile in length the beach here is backed by grassy slopes and woodland giving it a somewhat sechluded and peaceful feel.
Singing Beach is one of a select few beaches globally where the sand "sings". We put that in quotes because it is… read more »
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5. Wingaersheek Beach
liz west Great for:- Family
- Swimming
Wingaersheek Beach is located in the western part of Gloucester county at the mouth of the Annisquam River on Ipswich Bay. It is possibly the best beach in the area with its white sands and clear waters. Wingaersheek is recognizable by the huge rocks that jutt out from the center of the beach and into the river. At high tide the rocks are surrounded by water but you can climb… read more »
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6. Moshup Beach // Martha's Vineyard
C. S. Imming Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
Located on the exclusive barrier island of Martha's Vineyard, Moshup Beach aka Aquinnah Public Beach is a gem. It's also known as Gay Head or referred to by locals as "the cliffs beach" as that's what it is.
The cliffs are multicolored providing a stunning and dramatic backdrop to the beach. These cliffs are so special they are a National Landmark and are owned and protected by the Wampanoag Tribe of… read more »
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7. Crane Beach
Vitor Pamplona Great for:- Family
- Swimming
Crane Beach is one of the finest beaches on the U.S. East Coast. It has clean water and miles of golden sand backed by beautiful countryside. Part of the Crane Estate, the beach is managed by the Trustees of Reservations and is known for conservation as well. It has more than five miles of marked trails through the coastal sand dunes, and it is an important nesting site for the… read more »
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8. Madaket Beach // Nantucket
Eric Gross Great for:- Surfing
On the far west coast of Nantucket, the beautiful beach of Madaket has soft sand that stretches seemingly endlessly along the Atlantic coast. Despite its obvious appeals the beach never get crowded with sunbathers and those looking to just relax tending to stay near the village.
Madaket beach has the strongest waves on the island, and there can be very dangerous rip tides and undertows here. This is not a… read more »
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9. Sconset Beach // Nantucket
Doug Butchy Great for:- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Located on the eastern tip of the island, Sconset Beach faces the rolling Atlantic waves and has strong currents. It is near the Siasconset Old Historic District and is accessed along a boardwalk and foot bridge from Gully Road. The area has changed little since it began as an 18h century fishing village. The wide beach is quiet and uncrowded with easy access to the ocean.
Children can have fun at… read more »
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10. Lucy Vincent Beach // Martha's Vineyard
N. Friedler Great for:- Surfing
Located near Chilmark on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Lucy Vincent beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand that runs along the Atlantic coast. Sadly, unless you are a resident or renting a house in town, you cannot access this beach from June 1 through September 15. Beach passes are required during that time.
The beach was originally owned by the town librarian, Lucy Vincent, and upon her death… read more »
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11. Marconi Beach
|vv@ldzen| Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
Named for the Italian wireless inventor, Guglielmo Marconi, Marconi Beach is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It was from this location that Marconi sent a message from President Theodore Roosevelt to King Edward VII of the United Kingdom from this location. This was the first transatlantic radio transmission from the United States back in 1903.
Marconi Beach provides views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Cod Bay, and the… read more »
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12. Lighthouse Beach // Martha's Vineyard
Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism Looking out over the Edgartown Outer Harbor toward Chappaquiddick Island, Lighthouse Beach has warm waters in the summer and splendid views. One of the main attractions is the Lighthouse, which many people come to see. The beach is otherwise pretty quiet and a great spot to enjoy the views of sailboats in the harbor and the ocean.
The lighthouse itself is one of five on the island of Martha's Vineyard.… read more »
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13. Mayflower Beach // Cape Cod
Kenneth C. Zirkel Great for:- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
Located in the mid-Cape, Mayflower beach is off of Dunes Road in Dennis. The views from the tidal flats during low tide allow for some great photos, and the sunsets can be pretty amazing. The beach is large with lifeguards and plenty of room for games. You will find public restrooms, a boardwalk, a picnic area, and parking as well.
You can stay in a variety of accommodations from little… read more »
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14. Race Point Beach // Cape Cod
Daniel Schwen Great for:- Kitesurfing
Race Point Beach is in Provincetown, right at the very top of Cape Cod. The scenery here is both unique and beautiful, with sandy beaches, whales in the ocean, and historical lighthouses among the extensive dunes. You will love walking on the beach or relaxing in the sand.
Spring is the time to come for whale watching, you can spot various species breaching out in the ocean. From critically endangered… read more »
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15. Gay Head Town Beach // Martha's Vineyard
Many continue to call Gay Head Town Beach by its original name, although Gay Head Town has been known formerly as Aquinnah (meaning ‘land under the hill') by its population of 440 since 1997. At the end of Massachusetts' famed island of Martha's Vineyard, the beach is best known for its dramatic cliffs and the ocean views they deliver.
Designated a National Natural Landmark by the US National Park Service, Gay… read more »
