Best Dog Beaches in Massachusetts

Singing Beach, located in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, is a unique destination known for its sand that 'sings' when walked upon. This phenomenon occurs due to the sand's specific size, shape, and mineral composition, creating a musical sound when dry grains slide over each other. The beach is about 0.5 miles long and features white sand with a slight yellow tint, offering a serene and peaceful environment. Visitors can enjoy activities like swimming, sunbathing, and paddleboarding in the calm waters. The beach is also famous for its historic pavilion, built in 1930, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The area around Singing Beach is rich in history and natural beauty, with nearby hiking trails like the Manchester-Essex Woods Trail and the Coolidge Reservation. The town itself has a charming atmosphere, with beautiful residential areas and a yacht port. The beach is accessible by train via the MBTA's Commuter Rail, making it a convenient day trip from Boston.

Singing Beach offers a tranquil escape from urban life, with its clear waters and clean surroundings. It's a place where one can enjoy nature's sounds, including the singing sand and seagulls, creating a truly relaxing experience.

Sandy Neck Beach is a scenic barrier beach located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It stretches 6.5 miles along Cape Cod Bay and is known for its undulating sand dunes and picturesque salt marshes. This beach offers a variety of leisure activities, including swimming, hiking, and saltwater fishing. The dunes, reaching heights of 100 feet, are home to wildlife like red foxes, deer, and shorebirds.
Visitors can explore walking paths that cross the dunes and lead to trails that bypass the marsh. The area is rich in cultural and historical significance, with multiple antique dune shacks and the historic Sandy Neck Lighthouse.
Sandy Neck Beach Park covers 4,700 acres, offering a mix of dunes, maritime forests, and marshes. It is recognized as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern due to its diverse habitats and multiple endangered species.

Marconi Beach is a stunning part of the Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. It is named after the Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi, who successfully transmitted the first transatlantic wireless communication from nearby Marconi Station in 1903. The beach offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay from atop a steep sand cliff. It is popular for surfing, skimboarding, and swimming, with ample space for beachgoers to spread out. The area is also known for frequent sightings of grey seals. At night, the beach is a great spot for stargazing due to its dark skies.
The beach is well-equipped with seasonal restrooms, showers, and lifeguards, making it a family-friendly destination. It is also pet-friendly, allowing dogs beyond the lifeguarded areas. Visitors can enjoy long walks along the beach, exploring the vast stretch of sand and dunes.
Marconi Beach is a must-visit for those looking to experience the natural beauty of Cape Cod, with its pristine white sand and rolling dunes offering a serene and picturesque setting for relaxation and adventure.

Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts, is a picturesque destination known for its wide, flat sandy shores and Atlantic Ocean views. It offers a variety of activities such as swimming, body surfing, and boogie boarding. At low tide, visitors can walk out to Salt Island, providing a unique exploration experience. The beach is equipped with amenities like restrooms, showers, and a concession stand offering food and beach supplies. Lifeguards are on duty during peak summer months, ensuring a safe environment for families and beachgoers alike. Good Harbor Beach is also recognized for its handicap accessibility and 'Carry In-Carry Out' policy, promoting environmental sustainability.
The beach's proximity to Gloucester and Rockport makes it an ideal spot for those looking to explore local shops, art galleries, and seafood restaurants. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of the Annisquam River to the right of the beach, adding to its natural beauty.
With its rich history and natural charm, Good Harbor Beach is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best of Cape Ann's coastline.

Skaket Beach, located in Orleans, Massachusetts, is renowned for its warm and shallow waters, making it an ideal destination for families. The beach features expansive sand flats at low tide, perfect for long walks and exploring tidal pools. At high tide, the waters are calm and suitable for swimming and floating. The beach offers a snack bar, restrooms, outdoor showers, and lifeguards during peak season, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience for visitors. The stunning sunsets over Cape Cod Bay add to the allure of this picturesque beach.
Skaket Beach is easily accessible, with a parking lot nearby, though parking passes are required during peak season. The beach's proximity to Orleans Village and the Cape Cod National Seashore makes it a central point for exploring the area.
Overall, Skaket Beach combines natural beauty with family-friendly amenities, making it a must-visit for those looking to enjoy the best of Cape Cod.

Nahant Beach Reservation is a picturesque coastal area located in Nahant, Massachusetts, offering a serene blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. The reservation spans 67 acres and includes the 7,000-foot-long Long Beach, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, providing a tranquil escape from urban life with its clean sand and clear waters. The beach is easily accessible by car and public transportation, making it a convenient day trip from Boston.

The area has a rich history, having been a resort destination for Boston's elite in the 19th century. Today, it offers a range of activities such as swimming, boating, and walking along the paved promenade. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views, engage in water sports, or simply relax on the beach.

Nahant Beach Reservation is part of the Metropolitan Park System of Greater Boston, ensuring that it remains a protected and accessible public space for generations to come.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation is a 815-acre public recreation area located in Westport, Massachusetts, offering a two-mile stretch of sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most popular beaches in Massachusetts, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The reservation features a diverse landscape, including salt marshes, a protected estuary, and the barrier island of Gooseberry Neck. Visitors can enjoy swimming, camping, fishing, boating, and birdwatching, making it a versatile destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The beach is known for its rolling dunes and is a significant habitat for wildlife, including rare piping plovers.
The area is rich in history, with the name 'Horseneck' possibly derived from the Algonquin word for 'a house made of stone.' The beach has been a popular spot since the early 20th century, with summer homes being built after a bridge connected it to Westport Point in 1893. However, many of these homes were destroyed by hurricanes, leading the state to acquire the land in the mid-20th century.
Today, Horseneck Beach State Reservation offers a 100-site campground, accessible trails, and various amenities, making it an ideal location for both relaxation and adventure.

Nauset Light Beach is a picturesque beach located in Eastham, Massachusetts, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It is renowned for its wide, clean sandy shores and massive sand dunes, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is a favorite among families and adventure seekers alike, providing excellent opportunities for swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding. The iconic Nauset Lighthouse, a historic landmark, is situated nearby and offers tours during the season. The beach is well-equipped with restrooms and a bathhouse, though public showers are not available. Lifeguards are present from July to Labor Day, ensuring a safe experience for visitors.

The beach's proximity to other attractions like Coast Guard Beach and the Cape Cod Rail Trail makes it an ideal base for exploring the region. Visitors can enjoy the serene beauty of the beach during the off-season, with fewer crowds and a peaceful atmosphere. The area is also known for its wildlife, including frequent sightings of seals.

Overall, Nauset Light Beach offers a unique blend of natural beauty, recreational activities, and historical charm, making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Cape Cod.

Nahant Beach Reservation is a picturesque coastal area located in Nahant, Massachusetts, offering a serene blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. The reservation spans 67 acres and includes the 7,000-foot-long Long Beach, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, providing a tranquil escape from urban life with its clean sand and clear waters. The beach is easily accessible by car and public transportation, making it a convenient day trip from Boston.

The area has a rich history, having been a resort destination for Boston's elite in the 19th century. Today, it offers a range of activities such as swimming, boating, and walking along the paved promenade. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views, engage in water sports, or simply relax on the beach.

Nahant Beach Reservation is part of the Metropolitan Park System of Greater Boston, ensuring that it remains a protected and accessible public space for generations to come.

Crane Beach, located in Ipswich, Massachusetts, is a stunning four-mile-long sandy beachfront that is part of the larger Crane Estate. It features dunes, a maritime pitch pine forest, and offers five and a half miles of hiking trails. The beach is open year-round and is known for its pristine natural beauty and wildlife, including being a significant nesting site for the threatened piping plover. Visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and exploring the surrounding landscape. The beach has been featured in several films, adding to its allure.

The Crane Estate, which includes Crane Beach, Castle Hill, and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, is managed by The Trustees of Reservations, a nonprofit conservation organization. This setup ensures that the area is preserved for both recreation and conservation. The beach offers amenities like restrooms, showers, and a refreshment bar during the summer months.

Crane Beach has a rich history, having been gifted by Florence Higinbotham Crane in 1945. It hosts an annual celebration, Crane Beach Day, which began as a tradition by the Crane family in 1911 to celebrate their son's birthday. Today, it remains a beloved event for local school children.

Plum Island Beach, located in Newburyport, Massachusetts, is a picturesque barrier island stretching 11 miles along the Atlantic coast. It is renowned for its beautiful beaches, natural wildlife refuges, and historic landmarks like the Plum Island Lighthouse. The island offers a mix of relaxation and adventure, with activities such as bird watching, fishing, and boating. Visitors can explore the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, which spans over 4,700 acres and is home to over 300 species of birds. The beach is also known for its vibrant community, with nearby restaurants and shops adding to its charm.
Plum Island is named after the beach plum shrubs that grow in its dunes, and it is part of four municipalities: Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley, and Ipswich. The island's unique geography includes sand dunes reaching up to 50 feet high and a diverse range of flora and fauna.
The combination of natural beauty, recreational activities, and cultural attractions makes Plum Island Beach a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Plum Cove Beach is a serene and picturesque beach located in the Lanesville neighborhood of Gloucester, Massachusetts. It is nestled between bluffs, providing a calm and protected environment, making it ideal for families with small children. The beach features soft sand and water-worn pebbles near the water's edge, offering a peaceful atmosphere for relaxation and exploration. Visitors can enjoy swimming, exploring sea life like hermit crabs, and climbing on rocks. The beach is small, allowing for easy supervision of children, and lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Plum Cove Beach is also renowned for its stunning sunsets, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers.

One of the unique aspects of Plum Cove Beach is its intimate setting, which lacks commercial amenities like vendors or changing rooms. This simplicity adds to its charm, providing a no-frills beach experience. For those looking to combine a beach visit with other activities, the nearby Lobster Pool offers delicious seafood options, and the Lanesville Package store is available for beverages.

Plum Cove Beach is accessible via Washington Street in Gloucester. While parking is limited and generally requires a beach sticker, the scenic route and nearby attractions make it a worthwhile destination for those visiting Cape Ann.

Head of the Meadow Beach, located in Truro, Massachusetts, is a stunning ocean beach known for its boogie-board friendly waves, massive sandbars, and frequent seal sightings. The beach offers an accessible mat for individuals with disabilities, making it a standout among other Cape Cod beaches. It is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore but also includes a town-operated section, providing a mix of natural beauty and amenities like food vendors and lifeguards during the peak season. The area is less crowded compared to other beaches in the region, offering a serene and laid-back atmosphere perfect for families and those seeking a peaceful beach experience.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing. The beach is also a great spot for relaxation, with plenty of space for beach games and picnics. During low tide, large tide pools form, making it an exciting place for children to explore.

The surrounding area of Truro offers a charming town center with artisanal coffee shops, chocolate stores, and made-to-order sandwiches, providing everything needed for a day at the beach.

Cisco Beach, located on the south shore of Nantucket, is renowned for its wide white sands and heavy surf, making it a paradise for surfers. The beach is part of a beautiful area with abundant wildlife, especially during the winter months, and is a popular spot for dog walking in the off-season. It offers stunning sunsets and is accessible via the Hummock Pond Road bike path. The area also features attractions like the Cisco Brewery, known for its live music and local beverages, and Bartlett's Oceanside Farm, which provides fresh produce and homemade treats.

The beach itself is a hub for various beach activities, including surfing, swimming, and fishing. In the summer, it's bustling with people of all ages enjoying these activities. However, the allure of Cisco extends beyond the summer, with year-round residents often enjoying the sunset views from the parking lot.

Despite its popularity, Cisco Beach faces challenges like coastal erosion, which has reshaped the shoreline over time. Efforts are being made to adapt to these changes while maintaining public access to the beach.

Crowes Pasture is a stunning conservation area located in East Dennis, Massachusetts, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Situated on the banks of Quivett Creek, it extends to Cape Cod Bay, providing direct ocean access and breathtaking views. The area features miles of trails, including paths to Coles Pond and scenic overlooks, making it perfect for hiking and nature photography. Visitors can enjoy the vibrant colors of beach plums and marsh grasses, though they should be mindful of poison ivy and ticks. The beach itself is a haven for families, with shallow waters ideal for children and a picturesque setting for picnics and relaxation.

Crowes Pasture is also notable for its off-road vehicle access, allowing visitors to explore the beach and surrounding areas with the right permits. However, this access is periodically restricted to protect piping plover habitats. The area's unique landscape, which includes sandbars and tidal flats, offers a fascinating environment for exploring marine life at low tide.

Overall, Crowes Pasture is a must-visit destination for those seeking a mix of adventure, natural beauty, and tranquility on Cape Cod.

Plum Cove Beach is a serene and picturesque beach located in the Lanesville neighborhood of Gloucester, Massachusetts. It is nestled between bluffs, providing a calm and protected environment, making it ideal for families with small children. The beach features soft sand and water-worn pebbles near the water's edge, offering a peaceful atmosphere for relaxation and exploration. Visitors can enjoy swimming, exploring sea life like hermit crabs, and climbing on rocks. The beach is small, allowing for easy supervision of children, and lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Plum Cove Beach is also renowned for its stunning sunsets, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers.

One of the unique aspects of Plum Cove Beach is its intimate setting, which lacks commercial amenities like vendors or changing rooms. This simplicity adds to its charm, providing a no-frills beach experience. For those looking to combine a beach visit with other activities, the nearby Lobster Pool offers delicious seafood options, and the Lanesville Package store is available for beverages.

Plum Cove Beach is accessible via Washington Street in Gloucester. While parking is limited and generally requires a beach sticker, the scenic route and nearby attractions make it a worthwhile destination for those visiting Cape Ann.

Crane Beach, located in Ipswich, Massachusetts, is a stunning four-mile-long sandy beachfront that is part of the larger Crane Estate. It features dunes, a maritime pitch pine forest, and offers five and a half miles of hiking trails. The beach is open year-round and is known for its pristine natural beauty and wildlife, including being a significant nesting site for the threatened piping plover. Visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and exploring the surrounding landscape. The beach has been featured in several films, adding to its allure.

The Crane Estate, which includes Crane Beach, Castle Hill, and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, is managed by The Trustees of Reservations, a nonprofit conservation organization. This setup ensures that the area is preserved for both recreation and conservation. The beach offers amenities like restrooms, showers, and a refreshment bar during the summer months.

Crane Beach has a rich history, having been gifted by Florence Higinbotham Crane in 1945. It hosts an annual celebration, Crane Beach Day, which began as a tradition by the Crane family in 1911 to celebrate their son's birthday. Today, it remains a beloved event for local school children.