ROCKPORT BEACHES
Directly across from the Beach & King! A beautiful sandy beach on Sandy Bay in Rockport. From warm summer days to bright winter mornings, this beach is enjoyed by visitors and locals year round. The beach is also within an easy walk from the downtown Rockport village and is near a number of restaurants, eateries and shops, so you can combine some beach time with browsing and dining.
Steps away from the Beach & King , Back Beach offers great views and beautiful sand and surf. Back Beach is close to the downtown shopping area and is a renowned scuba divers destination. This is more of an explorer’s beach than a swimming beach. If you want a place to sit and enjoy the breeze, but not necessarily diving in the water, this is a really nice spot.
LONG BEACH
Long Beach, off Thatcher Road, is a long, protected stretch of ocean and sand, backed by a cement retaining wall and lined with summer cottages. From Long Beach you can easily view the twin lighthouses on Thacher’s Island. The Rockport beach side is resident sticker parking only but can be accessed from walking from Cape Hedge Beach.
CAPE HEDGE BEACH
Need a bit of solitude? Quietly tucked away, Cape Hedge Beach is perfect for the vacationer who wants to get away from it all. Relax in the gentle New England breeze as you take in the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean. There is on street parking for Rockport residents and vacationers, but parking here is very limited. Watch for resident parking only signs. This a beautiful beach, not found by many people. There are no services here.
PEBBLE BEACH
Pebble Beach, at the end of South Street, leaves no doubt as to why it is so named. Pebbles and stones cover this beach; however, they are not rough and jagged, but smooth and rounded as a result of the constant tidal motion. Sunbathe long enough and you just might see a diver in pursuit of an ocean atmosphere or a friendly seal playing in the waves.
OLD GARDEN BEACH
Old Garden Beach, a small sand and stone beach with an adjacent municipal park, offers a beautiful view over Sandy Bay and grassy areas for picnics with your friends and family. This intimate, very small beach is secluded enough to unwind from all of your vacation activities, yet easily walk-able from town. Eat your lunch at one of the picnic benches while taking in the great view.
GLOUCESTER BEACHES
Good Harbor is a beautiful beach with lovely white sand facing the Atlantic Ocean. At low tide, one can walk out to Salt Island while at high tide one can enjoy body surfing or boogie boards. Food, drinks, beach toys, and other beach necessities are available at the concession. Restrooms and showers are available as well from 9:00am to 6:00pm daily. Parking is available during the week at a rate of $25 per vehicle, and on the weekends and holidays at $30 per vehicle. (After Labor Day, beaches may be open with reduced rates charged, weather permitting.)
WINGAERSHEEK BEACH
This beautiful beach runs along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. At low tide the beach extends out for hundreds of yards and a long sandbar is exposed that makes for a great place to walk. Food, drinks, beach toys, and other beach necessities are available at the concession. Restrooms and showers are available as well from 9:00am to 6:00pm daily. Parking is available during the week at a rate of $25 per vehicle, and on the weekends and holidays at $30 per vehicle. After Labor Day, beaches may be open with reduced rates charges, weather permitting. The gates open at 8:00am and are locked at 9:00pm. The beach is handicapped accessible with approximately 16 handicapped spaces in the lot. A beach wheelchair is available – ask at the collection booth upon arrival or ask the lifeguards.
NILES BEACH
Tucked away from the busy crowds, Niles Beach is located on Eastern Point Road in East Gloucester and is primarily enjoyed by residents, (a resident sticker is required for beachside parking) unless you can walk from another location. Not usually crowded, you can enjoy a quiet family beach day without the typical commotion that comes with a summer beach day with breathtaking vistas over Gloucester Harbor and the Boston skyline on the horizon.
Pavilion Beach is located on the Eastern end of Stacey Boulevard in the area known as “The Fort”. Parking is very limited and there are no restrooms.
CRESSY BEACH
Located at the lower end of Historic Stage Fort Park, this rocky beach overlooks the beautiful Gloucester Harbor. This is a great place to spend the day as you can sit and observe the activities on the Harbor, have a picnic or cookout, play games in the park, or just relax with a good book. Restrooms are located nearby in the park and there is a privately owned restaurant that is open to the public. Parking is available in the park lot at a rate of $10 per vehicle weekdays and $15 weekends and holidays.
HALF MOON BEACH
Half Moon is a small quiet beach located in historic Stage Fort Park. It gets its' name from the crescent shape of the beach. Lifeguards Restrooms are located nearby at the Visitors Center and there are plenty of areas to enjoy a picnic or cookout. Parking is available in the parking lot for $10 per vehicle weekdays and $15 weekends and holidays. The beach is handicapped accessible with a concrete ramp leading down to the beach area.
PLUM COVE BEACH
Located on Washington Street in the northern section of the City, this small, quiet beach has been enjoyed by families in Lanesville for many years. It is a great place to bring small children due to the small confines of the beach. Parking is limited and restricted to vehicles with a current Gloucester beach sticker.
Manchester-By-The-Sea Beach
SINGING BEACH
his beautiful spacious beach is one of the hidden gems of Cape Ann with its soft sand and deep blue waters. Although parking requires resident stickers most park at the train station and walk on ($5 walk on fee)