Good Harbor Beach
Dogs Prohibited: April 1st – September 30th
Located on Thatcher Road/Route 127A, Good Harbor is a beautiful beach with lovely white sand. At low tide, one can walk out to Salt Island, while at high tide, one can enjoy body surfing or boogie boards. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Surfing, inflatable objects, and all flotation devices (with the exception of Styrofoam boogie boards) are prohibited during the hours lifeguards are on duty. Alcohol is also prohibited. Gloucester has adopted a ’Carry In-Carry Out’ Policy for Good Harbor and Wingaersheek beaches so please be prepared to carry out any trash with you when you leave. Food, drinks, beach toys, and other beach necessities are available at the concession. Restrooms and showers are available as well from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. During periods of inclement weather, all facilities may close early. Parking is available during the week at a rate of $30 per vehicle, and on the weekends and holidays at $35 per vehicle. (After Labor Day, beaches may be open with reduced rates charged, weather permitting.)
Space is limited so you will need to arrive early on a nice day in order to get a parking space. For Beach Parking availability visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gloubeaches/. The gates open at 8:00 am and are locked at 9:00 pm. The beach is handicapped accessible with approximately 16 handicapped spaces in the lot and a drop-off space near the footbridge. A beach wheelchair is also available; ask at the collection booth upon arrival or ask the lifeguards for information. Buses are prohibited from the parking lot and any large groups must receive a permit ($25 per permit).
Directions: Take Route 128 North into Gloucester. Follow the signs for East Gloucester/Rockport. Go 3/4 of the way around the two rotaries (essentially taking the third right off of each rotary). At the first traffic light, you have two options: The first option is to turn left onto Eastern Avenue and follow Eastern Avenue for approximately 3/4 of a mile, the shopping/Shaw’s Plaza will be on your right; turn right onto Barn Lane after the plaza. At the end of Barn Lane, turn left onto Thatcher Road and the beach lot will be on your right. If you go straight through the first light, you will then take a left onto Bass Avenue at the next light. Follow Bass Avenue to Thatcher Road and turn left onto Thatcher Road. The parking lot will be on your right.