Best Beaches North of Boston

In cities and towns North of Boston, you’ll find plenty of beaches where you can have some fun in the sun. From hidden gems to more popular beaches, here are beaches North of Boston to explore.

Good Harbor Beach

Good Harbor Beach is a beloved beach among visitors and Gloucester residents alike. Offering a wide, flat stretch of soft white sand along the Atlantic Ocean, you can walk along the sandbar at low tide to explore Salt Island. This beach is great for walking, sunbathing, body surfing, boogie boarding, and beach volleyball. Parking is limited and costs $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends.     

Niles Beach

Located in East Gloucester, Niles Beach is a quieter spot offering scenic views of Gloucester Harbor, the Boston skyline, and Eastern Point Lighthouse. You can kayak, paddleboard, swim, and catch a beautiful sunset along the water. Parking is limited to those who have a valid City of Gloucester beach sticker. 

Plum Cove Beach

This small, sheltered beach is a hidden gem in Gloucester, and a great place for beachcombing and shell hunting. While parking is reserved for locals with a valid City of Gloucester beach sticker, non-residents can take the seasonal Cape Ann Transportation Authority Bus that stops nearby. 

Cressy’s Beach and Half Moon Beach

Both Cressy’s Beach and Half Moon Beach are located in Stage Fort Park. Cressy’s Beach sits at the lower end of the historic park and offers a relaxed atmosphere for watching the tide or reading a book. Half Moon Beach is a great place to swim, with its calm waters and rocky cliffs. Parking is available at Stage Fort Park with a daily fee of $20 during the week and $25 on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.  

Wingaersheek Beach

Gloucester’s family-friendly beach stretches along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. During low tide, you can see tide pools and sandbars, and on clear days, catch a view of Annisquam Lighthouse. Beach parking is $30 during the week and $35 on the weekend. 

Long Beach

Long Beach is located in both Gloucester and Rockport and is a beautiful sandy beach with views of Thacher Island’s twin lighthouses. Beach stickers are required for parking.

Pavilion Beach

Right next to Gloucester’s Fisherman’s Memorial, Pavilion Beach is the destination for relaxing, swimming, and exploring shops and restaurants nearby. It’s also home to the famous Greasy Pole Challenge held during the St. Peter’s Fiesta. There is free parking along nearby streets.

Rockport

Back Beach

Back Beach is minutes away from downtown Rockport and is known as a popular place for scuba divers because of its sandy and rocky structure. There is paid-on-street parking available along the surrounding streets.

Cape Hedge Beach

This secluded beach is a quiet oasis that is separated from Long Beach by a seasonal footbridge. There is limited non-resident parking along nearby streets.

Front Beach

Front Beach is the perfect spot to swim and sunbathe. End the day shopping and grabbing a bite to eat at the many stores and restaurants a couple of steps away. You’ll find paid non-resident parking adjacent to the beach. 

Old Garden Beach

This sandy beach also offers a park close by, making it a popular destination for families with small children. There is limited on-street parking located nearby. 

Pebble Beach 

At this crescent beach, you’ll discover rocks, sand, shells, and a rocky reef just offshore. Pebble Beach is also a great place to birdwatch. You’ll find limited parking near the beach on Penzance Road.  

Marblehead

Gas House Beach 

Gas House Beach is a lesser-known beach with a unique charm, located on Little Harbor in Marblehead. This rocky beach is perfect for swimming and shell collecting. Plus, when it’s low tide, a sand and rock bar emerges that lets you walk to Gerry Island. 

Devereux Beach

As a popular destination for residents and tourists alike, Devereux Beach spans 5.48 acres with a sandy and cobblestone shoreline. It’s a perfect spot to swim, sunbathe, fish, and even kayak. For non-residents, parking is $25 from Monday to Thursday and $30 on Friday, Saturday, and holidays.

Fort Beach

Fort Beach is located at the entrance of Fort Sewall and offers visitors a view of Marblehead Neck. This small rocky beach is home to fishermen’s boats and wooden shacks.

Grace Oliver Beach

This beach is a great location for small children because of its shallow waters. It is limited to street parking.

Riverhead Beach

Located on Marblehead Harbor, Riverhead Beach offers both a beach area and a boat ramp. Parking permits are required.

Stramski’s Beach

Stramski’s Beach sits right on Salem’s Harbor and offers visitors a tranquil atmosphere. All can park for free in the beach parking lot.

Manchester-by-the-Sea 

Black and White Beaches 

These two beaches are located on Crow Island Peninsula in Manchester-by-the-Sea. White Beach is a smaller spot with only resident parking. Black Beach is a larger beach with darker sand and limited parking. 

Singing Beach

Singing Beach is the area’s largest beach, offering a crescent shape with a unique squeaking/”singing” sound when walking along the sand. Non-resident parking is $25. Cash or check only.  

Tuck’s Point

Bordering Manchester Harbor, Tuck’s Point offers a pebble beach, pier, benches, swing set, gazebo, and picnic tables. This beach is for resident parking only. 

Beverly

Brackenbury Beach

As a small sandy strip of shore nestled between two private beaches, Brackenbury Beach is a great spot to swim and relax in the sun. Parking is very limited. 

Dane Street Beach

Located in Lyons Park, Dane Beach is a beautiful sandy beach that also features open grass fields. You’ll find scenic views of Beverly Harbor and Salem’s Waterfront. There is limited free public parking and on-street parking. 

Independence Park

Independence Park offers breathtaking ocean views and a rich local history, and an accompanying beach where you can relax, swim, and have a picnic. You’ll find on-street parking. 

Lynch Park Beach

Enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean at Lynch Park Beach, located in Lynch Park. Paid parking is offered during seasonal months like the summer. 

Obear Park

At Obear Park, you’ll uncover a playground, baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, and a beach. There is free parking at the park. 

Pleasant View Beach

Located behind the beautiful cliffside park, Pleasant View Beach is a quaint little beach that is a great spot for sunbathing. You’ll find street parking near the park.  

Essex

Chebacco Lake

Chebacco Lake is a public lake in Essex where you can swim, boat, fish, canoe, and kayak. You can also explore several hiking trails near the lake.

Clammer’s Beach

This beach is used mostly by locals as there is restricted parking for Essex residents. You’ll find a boat launching area here as well.  

Ipswich 

Crane Beach

This is Ipswich’s most popular beach, filled with miles of shoreline and unforgettable views. It’s the perfect destination to go for a swim, play in the sand, or even go for a beach stroll. Non-residential parking fee from Memorial Day to Labor Day is $20 per car on weekends and holidays and $15 on weekdays. 

Pavillion Beach

Pavilion Beach in Ipswich is a town-owned beach with a sandy shoreline and gorgeous views of the water. Parking is limited and can be restricted to Ipswich residents. 

Swampscott 

Fisherman’s Beach

This beach holds a lot of historical significance due to its role in the fishing industry. Here, you’ll discover memorable views of the harbor, and you can swim, boat, or sail. Non-residents can park for free on Humphrey Street. 

King’s Beach

King’s Beach stretches across Lynn and Swampscott and is a great place to walk the beach and boardwalk while exploring tide pools. Like Fisherman’s Beach, you’ll find free parking on Humphrey Street.

Phillips Beach

As a family-friendly spot, Phillips Beach has sand dunes that create a sense of seclusion for those who want more privacy. A recreational sticker is required to park near the beach on Ocean Ave. and Humphrey Street.

Preston Beach

Preston Beach is right on the border of Marblehead and Swampscott. Swim, sunbathe, and walk along the beautiful shoreline. A recreational parking sticker is required for parking near the beach. 

Whale’s and Eisman’s Beach

These two small adjacent beaches are only separated by a rock wall. Whale’s Beach is a tranquil experience, while Eisman’s Beach brings more visitors to its waters for swimming. Both of these beaches require a recreational sticker to park on Humphrey Street.

Salem 

Misery Island

Misery Island is located in Salem Sound.  You’ll find transportation available via Sun Line Cruises from Salem Willows Park.  Here, you can birdwatch, boat, sail, canoe, kayak, fish, hike, nature study, picnic, swim and take tours. 

Salem Willows Park

Salem Willows Park has three sandy beaches, park paths, basketball and tennis courts, picnic grounds, and pizza concession stands that offer foods like pizza and ice cream. Free parking is available around the basketball and tennis courts. 

Waikiki Beach 

Waikiki Beach on Winter Island is a public beach where visitors can swim, sunbathe, fish, camp, and boat. Parking is $10 for non-residents. At the park, you’ll also find a playground and pier. 

Collins Cove Beach

Located in Salem’s Collins Cove neighborhood, Collins Cove Beach is a nice place to picnic, swim, and relax. Plus, the beach is a short walk from Collins Cove Park, which includes a playground. There is metered parking along the street. 

Forest River Park

Forest River Park offers two beaches, bike paths, picnic areas, a playground, a swimming pool, and a baseball field. Parking is available at Forest River Park from Monday to Sunday for 4 hours max, $0.50/hr, from April 1 – October 31.

Newburyport

Plum Island Beach

Off the coast of Newburyport is Plum Island Beach, a place where you can birdwatch, fish, boat, kayak, or chill out on the beach. Non-resident parking costs $15 on weekdays and $20 on the weekend. During your trip to Plum Island, make sure to check out all the great restaurants nearby. 

Salisbury

Salisbury Beach

At Salisbury Beach, you’ll find six miles of sandy beaches, arcades, batting cages, miniature golf courses, go-cart tracks, amusement parks, and fast-food booths.  Salisbury Beach State Reservation features a playground for children, nature trails, and a ramp for boaters. Parking costs $7 per day.

Danvers

Sandy Beach

Sandy Beach is located directly across John George Park. There is free parking and a lifeguard on duty three hours before and after high tide from June 21 to Labor Day.

During your beach journey, make sure to explore things to do North of Boston!