13 best beaches near Boston

Crane Beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in all of New England, part of the Trustees-owned Crane Estate in Ipswich. The stunning public beach is more than a place for fun in the sun—it’s a crucial nesting site for endangered piping plovers and features a shorebird protection program to keep these feathered friends safe. Aside from catching rays, visitors can explore more than five miles of trails through coastal dunes. There’s also the option to tour the nearby Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, which showcases stunning gardens and interiors. Kayaking season at the Crane Estate begins on Memorial Day weekend and runs through mid-October; there are professionally guided adventures available, including a much-loved kayak and hike excursion to Choate Island.

Getting there: Hop on I-93, cruise the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, or take the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail from North Station to Ipswich.

The three-mile long, crescent-shaped Revere Beach is America’s oldest public beach, dating back to 1896. It was designed by Charles Eliot, a Cambridge native and protégée of the father of landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted. The boulevard abutting this seaside reservation was once a mecca for swanky restaurants, grand ballrooms, and amusement rides. Its grandeur is less flashy today, but Revere Beach still has plenty of attractions, including the original location of the famous Kelly's Roast Beef and the annual Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival.

Getting there: Take the Blue Line to Wonderland, which leads to the beach.

Located on a peninsula that juts out from Hull and into Boston Harbor, Nantasket Beach was once the South Shore’s equivalent to Revere Beach. In the 1800s, Victorian Bostonians would take a steamer across the harbor just to soak up some sun here. In 1909, the Paragon Amusement Park opened adjacent to the beach, where locals could ride a colorful carousel and a breathtaking (for the time) rollercoaster. Paragon Park closed in 1985, and now, only that whimsical carousel remains. Still, beach-goers can hit up the area's arcades, candy stores and gift shops. 

Getting there: Take the Greenbush commuter rail from South Station to West Hingham, then the 714 bus. Or skip trains entirely and board the Hingham/Hull Ferry from Long Wharf.

Wingaersheek Beach

Gloucester is basically beach city, with several gorgeous spots attracting locals and almost too many tourists each summer. All are within a few minutes from the city center, which lets you have the best of both worlds: a day at the beach, followed by a night out on the town. Try Wingaersheek for family-friendly fun. You can walk from sandbar to sandbar when the tide is out, or float in its shallow waters when the tide is in.

Getting there: Take the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail from North Station to West Gloucester, then catch a bus from the Cape Ann Transportation Authority to the beach.

Carson Beach as well as the nearby M and L Street Beaches, form a three-mile stretch lining Dorchester Bay, just south of Pleasure Bay and Castle Island. At its southernmost part, the beach widens and backs into Joe Moakley Park, where you can take a break from the sand to play some pick-up basketball, bring the kids to the playground, or simply stretch out on the grass. On the off-season, the L Street Beach serves as the launch site for the annual New Year's Day L Street Brownies polar plunge.

Getting there: Take the Red Line to the JFK/UMass station, which is approximately a half-mile walk from the beach.

Marshfield’s Rexhame Beach is a classic barrier beach, meaning it’s a narrow strip of sand separated from the mainland by a marsh. It’s a lovely spot to spend a Saturday when nearby Humarock Beach feels too busy. There’s a snack bar and restrooms here, plus lifeguards and a fenced-in playground for toddlers. 

Getting there: Hop on Route 3 to cruise south to Marshfield.

Located about four miles from Salem, the quiet (and less witchy) town of Marblehead is among America's oldest settlements. Devereux Beach is about a ten-minute walk from Marblehead's quaint town center. This slim, sandy stretch includes a concession stand, pavilions, benches, picnic tables, restroom facilities, and parking.

Getting there: Take the blue line to Wonderland, then hop on the 441 bus, which stops about a half-mile from the beach.

It’s hard to imagine that South Boston’s Pleasure Bay was once literally just that: an entertainment center with ballrooms, restaurants and a beach. Pleasure Bay, a slender sliver of white sand that lines the curving bay, features a waterside walking trail that leads to nearby Castle Island and its circa-1851 Fort Independence. There are public restrooms and even showers, so the throngs of Southie natives and yuppies can rinse off after a dip in the ocean. The picnic area allows grilling, and the beloved local institution Sullivan’s sells fried seafood, lobster rolls, and hot dogs.

Getting there: Take the Red Line to Broadway, then walk or take bus 9 or 11 to City Point Bus Terminal.

East Boston might seem like an odd place to create a beach, but Constitution Beach is indeed a sandy man-made oasis tucked into an inlet just opposite Logan Airport. Because of its location, it's perfect for watching planes land and take off, as well as the usual sunbathing and dipping your toes into the ocean. There’s a recreation area with athletic fields and tennis courts, and fishing is permitted. You’ll also find a bathhouse with restrooms, as well as a concession stand and picnic area.

Getting there: Take the Blue Line to Orient Heights, then walk to the beach.

A one-of-a-kind experience awaits you at Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea, thanks to some unique shifting sands. When the wind causes grains of sand to rub against each other here, they make an otherworldly squeaking sound, hence the name “Singing” Beach. Aside from a bit of natural music, there’s a half-mile-long stretch of sand to enjoy with beautiful cliff views to boot.

Getting there: Take the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail from North Station to Manchester, then finish with a short walk to the beach.

Dating back to 1908, Wollaston Beach is the largest public beach along Boston Harbor (and is part of the Quincy Shore Reservation). It consists of three, separate stretches of sand—Wollaston, Atlantic, and Fenno—which were joined together to create this massive beach. Explore its more than two miles of shoreline, in addition to its waterside walkway and the concession stands peppered along Quincy Shore Drive.

Getting there: Take the Red Line to North Quincy, then take the 211 bus.

One of the city’s best-kept secrets is the small beach at Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor. Hop on a short ferry ride to Spectacle, where you can hike, picnic, and most importantly, take a dip in the water. Though the beach is small, it lets you swim while taking in views of the Boston skyline. There’s a lifeguard on duty from late June through Labor Day Weekend, as well as an excellent snack stand near the arrival dock.

Getting there: Hop on a Boston Harbor Islands National Park ferry from Long Wharf.

Though it doesn’t have the same glamorous reputation as its Californian counterpart, Dorchester’s Malibu Beach is just as much appreciated by the local community. This seaside Dot spot spills into Savin Hill Beach. It offers a children’s playground and ballfield, making it a must for a day of family fun. 

Getting there: Take the Red Line to Savin Hill; the beaches are a short walk from Savin Hill Avenue via Denny Street.