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About Massachusetts

The gentle sea with the purest water and the magnificent sandy beaches of Massachusetts attract more and more tourists yearly. The crystal turquoise color of the seawater sets the level of your vacation somewhere between stunning and perfect. So if you are looking for the perfect sea, this is your place!

General information

Long straight beaches dominate the coast of Massachusetts. Large spaces mean you can always find a comfortable place to relax. That is why travelers appreciate these places so much. One of the disadvantages of this type of beach is the scarce natural shade, so if you choose to relax on the wild part of the coast, be prepared to be alone with the scorching sun without the opportunity to take cover in a cool shade.

Regarding location, Massachusetts is dominated by beaches outside urban areas in a natural setting. They may not be convenient for all categories of travelers (you can use filtering by access type or audience), primarily due to possible access difficulties. But they always give you extra points due to the amazing natural views, so isn't that why most of us go to the beach?

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Popular destinations

view the best beach places

Martha's Vineyard island

14 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Wild beach

Scorton Shores

3 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Snorkeling

Hog Islands

7 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Nauset Heights

5 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Snorkeling

Browns Point

5 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing

Salisbury Beach

5 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing

Newbury

9 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Green Harbor

2 beaches
Good for Sup surfing • Good for party • Good for Relax

Namskaket

5 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Snorkeling

Essex

13 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Manchester-by-the-Sea

14 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Eastham

9 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Annisquam

9 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Kettle Cove Village

8 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Magnolia

8 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Fresh Brook

8 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Snorkeling

Beach Bluff

9 beaches
Natural shadow • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Phillips Point

9 beaches
Natural shadow • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Rocky Neck

8 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Chappaquiddick

5 beaches
Wild beach • Beach volleyball • Good for Relax

Ocean Heights

8 beaches
Picturesque • Wild beach • Good for Kayaking

Sandwich

6 beaches
Natural shadow • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Nahant

12 beaches
Natural shadow • Football ground • Good for Kayaking

Oak Island

8 beaches
Football ground • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Beverly Farms

7 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Marblehead

14 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Swampscott

11 beaches
Natural shadow • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Provincetown

7 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Katama

5 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Good for Sup surfing

Wepua Point

5 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Good for Sup surfing

Little Nahant

9 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing

Craigville Beach

8 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Beach volleyball • Good for Relax

North Truro

9 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Beverly Cove

10 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach

Westport Point

4 beaches
Good for Surfing • Good for Relax • Sand

Cahoon Hollow

7 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Snorkeling

Mayo Beach

7 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Snorkeling

Point Shirley

10 beaches
Natural shadow • Football ground • Good for Kayaking

Boston

19 beaches
Natural shadow • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Wianno

7 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Beach volleyball • Good for Relax

Bass Rocks

7 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing

Truro

8 beaches
Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Snorkeling

Madaket

5 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Surfing • Beach volleyball

Warren Landing

5 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Surfing • Beach volleyball

Hyannis

17 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing

North Dennis

6 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Snorkeling

Tississa

9 beaches
Picturesque • Wild beach • Good for Kayaking

Old Silver Beach

6 beaches
Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing • Good for Relax

West Yarmouth

20 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing

Town Pasture

7 beaches
Wild beach • Good for Surfing • Beach volleyball
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Massachusetts Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

Good for Relax

Crane beach

Essex 6.2 km

8.7
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Very crowded • Large low tide
6 Amenities index
Good for party

Sandy Neck beach

Scorton Shores 2.6 km

8.7
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Large low tide
5.5 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Singing beach

Manchester-by-the-Sea 1.1 km

8.3
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Crowded in season • Large low tide
6.1 Amenities index
Good for party

Duxbury beach

Camp Chappa Challa 2.9 km

8.2
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Light sand & pebble • Turquoise pure water • Large low tide
2.7 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Good Harbor beach

Bass Rocks 0.8 km

8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Crowded in season • Large low tide
6.6 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Skaket beach

Namskaket 0.4 km

8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
4 Amenities index

Popular types of Massachusetts beaches

Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 133 beaches in the state.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in Massachusetts.

For pet lovers, and even more so for dog owners, the first question always arises whether it is possible to take your pet to the beach since entry with it, in most cases, can be prohibited.

Massachusetts is an exception in this case, since on average there are more pet-friendly beaches than nearby state. According to our data there are 44 beaches which have guaranteed access with pets, a full list of beaches can be found on this page. So you will be sure that you and your pet will have a great time under the gentle sun.

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of Massachusetts, they are as follows:

  • The state's beaches are mainly wide, moderate length and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is sand of bright color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is moderately gentle, such beaches are 85.
  • An important clarification, 37 beaches in the state have a long intertidal zone, which means that during low tide hours you may have to travel a considerable distance. This is also something to consider if you don't want to suddenly be in the water at high tide.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in Massachusetts is less than 500 meters. 131 beaches are relatively easy to access, and 2 beaches are only accessible from the water. The latter include both island beaches and beaches with no land routes due to the natural borders.

The vast majority of Massachusetts beaches have the necessary amenities, such as sun loungers, umbrellas, beach cafes, showers and toilets.

Hundreds of beaches in Massachusetts attract every year not only relaxation lovers but also those travelers who prefer outdoor activities and, first of all sup boarders, kayakers, kite surfers.

So, let's see what activities you can do on the beaches:

  • SUP is a relatively young sport that attracts more and more followers every year. Whether you are an experienced SUP rider or want to discover this activity, Massachusetts is the perfect place for you. More than 56 beaches are popular among SUP boarders. Who knows, you will become an enthusiastic fan of SUP after visiting these beaches.
  • Kite or windsurfing. We know firsthand how difficult it is sometimes to find the right place for your favorite activity, especially if it is kite or windsurfing. So if you are a fan of these activities, then Massachusetts may be the right choice for you, as there are over 25 beaches popular among kiters and windsurfers. There will be a fair wind, we are sure!
  • Sea kayaking is an excellent alternative to long walks along the coast. Instead of being bored on the beach, you can go for a leisurely journey and discover the beauty of the neighboring coves, inlets and wild beaches. Remember, the main gems are always accessible only from the water. Kayaking is an excellent active lifestyle solution for both professionals and beginners. About 33 beaches in Massachusetts can be interesting for kayakers, the most popular are: Crane beach, Sandy Neck beach.

Do you love an active lifestyle but would prefer something other than water activities? Then on the beaches of Massachusetts you can actively spend time playing volleyball. Although this state does not have the privileged status of the volleyball capital of United States, it may well compete for this title because there are about 14 beaches where you can play volleyball.

For campers, important information is the availability of campsites in the state. There are such places near the 3 beaches of Massachusetts. 2 of them are official campsites, with all the necessary (showers, toilets, shops, cafes).

Latest reviews on Massachusetts's beaches

Please note that lifeguards supervise 88 beaches in the state, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

Do you know how many beaches there are in Massachusetts? In total there are 133 beaches and the most popular is Crane beach.

Most viewed beaches of Massachusetts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in Massachusetts?

When it comes to finding the best beaches in Massachusetts, the following aspects should be taken into account.

There are 133 beaches in total, of which about 7 can be called high-rated.

The best beaches in the majority:

They are also usually:

The best beaches in Massachusetts:

View all beaches in Massachusetts and create your selection by features

How to view only nearest to me beaches in Massachusetts?

To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.

Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in Massachusetts, you must be in that area to get the correct results.

See also: View all beaches in Massachusetts and create your selection by features.

What are all easy accessible beaches in Massachusetts?

Most of the beaches located in Massachusetts are easily accessible, but there are also hard to reach beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).

Popular categories of beaches in Massachusetts by access:

See also the categories:

Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in Massachusetts:

View all beaches in Massachusetts and select by features

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in Massachusetts?

Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.

The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features

Beach coverage and water

Natural scenery

Other popular categories

View all beaches in Massachusetts and select by features

How to find uncrowded beaches in Massachusetts?

The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in Massachusetts by occupancy.

Popular categories:

If the presence of a crowd on the beach is critical for you, pay attention to where you should not go in the season.

View all beaches in Massachusetts and select by features

Which beaches in Massachusetts are kid-friendly, good for relax, pet-friendly, naturist-friendly, camping-friendly?

How to view all beaches by amenities details in Massachusetts?

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in Massachusetts?

Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.

View all beaches in Massachusetts and select by activity

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