11 Top Rated Beaches Near Boston For Fun Day Out

Fortunately for residents of and visitors to Boston, several gorgeous beaches can be enjoyed during summer day excursions or weekend trips. Most of the beautiful beaches mentioned can be accessed just a few hours’ drive from the capital. Warm sand, quiet water, beautiful views, and a comfortable atmosphere for water recreation and entertainment make these places perfect for families and children. Here are 11 of the top-rated beaches around Boston for an enjoyable and memorable beach day:

1. Nantasket Beach, Hull

Nantasket Beach in the town of Hull is one of the closest ocean beaches that is near Boston and is well known for its liveliness and popularity during the summer seasons. The beach is vast and sandy and extends over 3.1 miles, and there are many attractions around the area including snack bars, restaurants, carousels, a mini-golf course, and a games arcade. The waves are normally not very large and hence floating is easily done the habitat is suitable for swimmers. It is also a good place to take a stroll make sand castles or watch a sunset in the evening.

2. Crane Beach, Ipswich

Crane Beach in the town of Ipswich is widely regarded as one of the most stunning beaches in Massachusetts. This is one of the longest beaches of sand with dunes, marshes, and numerous tidal rocks, which are ideal for viewing wildlife and sea creatures. While at the beach one can realize that waves are strong, but some areas are guarded and not as dangerous for swimming. It is ideal for strolling, hunting for shells and stones, fishing, and having an outdoor meal. The restaurant located in the compound is also a favorable place to dine as it offers beautiful scenery.

3. Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester

This place is a beautiful beach with a natural bay and a shore that is made up of sand, and it is a good trip away from Boston. There is provision for bathhouses, food concessions, and volleyball courts, and the beach is even permitted for bonfires in some parts of Good Harbor Beach. There are many excellent swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding conditions in the flat waters near the sandbar. Parking space is somewhat limited especially when the restaurants and other shops nearby close in the evening, so it is advisable to park early.

4. Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester

Adjacent to Good Harbor Beach is another magnificent natural beach known as Wingaersheek Beach which stretches to half a mile within a cove. This beach is beautiful because it is postcard-perfect with white sands and clear blue waters and that makes it very popular. Over the weekend it can become rather busy especially when there are people from different offices coming over for lunch. It is recommended that one arrives early at the location to select a favorable view. This is because the areas that are designated as swimming zones have lifeguards and the currents are also relatively calm for young children.

5. Revere Beach, Revere

Revere Beach is the nearest beach to Boston, and it is also famously known as ‘America’s First Public Beach’. It is a perfect day trip, and the cost is fairly low especially if you can use the MBTA Blue Line trains. This 3-mile stretch of sand is located in an urban area and has soft sand, a new seawall, recreational facilities such as a bandstand, an amusement park, local restaurants, and regular summertime activities. It is okay to note that the long stretch of sand does get very congested with people, especially during the hot summer seasons.

6. Duxbury Beach, Duxbury

Duxbury Beach is one of the most visited beaches on the South Shore as it is six-and-quarter miles long with lovely views and fine white sand. One side of this beach or barrier island faces the ocean with waves for surfing and windsurfing; the other side is suitable for little children as it faces the bay. Along with restaurants and other amenities needed for the pleasure of the beach by its guests, it has over 100 beach homes, therefore adding to the general atmosphere of the house that is connected with the coastal feel.

7. Crane Beach, Ipswich

Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea is a quite befitting name since the sand of the beach produces a vocal sound like that of a chorus when stepped on. This intimate beach which is close to Manchester Harbor and the small coastal town has its high tides forming a complete cover on the sand. Hiking, picnicking, boating, sword fighting, scientific investigations and explorations of the singing sand, sunbathing, and watching the stunning sunsets over the harbor are some of the activities that can be undertaken by visitors.

8. Nahant Beach, Nahant

Not far from Boston in the small seashore town of Nahant, a well-known Nahant Beach is perfect for lovers of both big sea waves for surfing and small waves on the Northeast side of the beach suitable for swimming with children. It boasts of its preserved 19th-century architecture, coast parks, seafood restaurants, and ice cream parlors, which is a perfect place to go on a day trip.

9. Half Moon Beach, Nahant

Another one is the equally hidden half-moon shape Half Moon Beach located in the similarly less crowded Nahant town. It has a soft sand beach which is ideal for resting, sunbathing, and engaging in activities such as shell and sea glass hunting. Bathing here is generally more secure during the high tides. After the beach visit, grab meals or snacks at a restaurant or café in Nahant which offers outside dining.

10. Sandy Point State Park Beach located in Plymouth

Situated on the southern coast, close to Boston, it has Sandy Point in Plymouth, which offers a beach with a view of the well-known Plymouth Rock. The beach is mostly suitable for swimming and tanning with family as most of it is covered in somewhat shallow water and the gradient of the shoreline is rather mild. Fishing, trekking over the marsh, bird watching—osprey nests are nearby—or a stroll along the beach. It has amenities like a children's playground, changing rooms, and a snack bar.

11. The Scituate in Massachusetts Minot Beach and Peggotty Beach.

There are several beautiful North Shore beaches in the coastal town of Scituate and it would be well worth the trip in a single day trip from Boston. Two of them are Minot Beach which has fine and white sand, beautiful sunset, and giant glacial rocks Peggotty Beach famous for its beautiful seascape and fishing zone, and sea hollows of rocks for tourists to play with. Both have mild waves, bathtubs, and snack counters.

The beaches in and around Boston provide the best combination of both natural beauty and sights, readily available amenities, facilities, eateries, and cafés, together with good swimming and water activities. Thus choose your preferred location and go out equipped with beach accessories for some sea, sand, and summer activities! So come early, put on your favorite sunscreen, and have a great time in these natural summer holidays.