A 7-mile barrier beach protecting Duxbury Bay with both ocean and bay sides. Managed by a nonprofit organization for conservation and recreation, with areas for off-road vehicle access and wildlife protection.
Beaches for Swimming
South Cape Beach
A state park featuring a mile-long sandy beach on Nantucket Sound adjacent to the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Offers hiking trails through salt marshes and pine woods.
Head of the Meadow Beach
Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore featuring a wide sandy beach with access to bike trails. At low tide, visitors can sometimes see the remains of the shipwrecked Frances that ran aground in 1872.
Salisbury Beach
A 3.8-mile stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach with a campground and recreational facilities. Features a lively beachfront area with food stands, arcade, and entertainment adjacent to the state reservation.
Long Beach (Rockport)
A mile-long barrier beach connecting Rockport to Gloucester with views of Thacher Island’s twin lighthouses. Features a mix of sand and rock with good tide pooling opportunities at low tide.
Cisco Beach
A popular surfing beach on Nantucket’s south shore with consistent waves and extensive shoreline. Featured in the movie “Jaws” and accessible via the island’s bike path network with spectacular sunset views.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach
A 2-mile barrier beach connecting Oak Bluffs and Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. Features calm, shallow water ideal for families and the famous “Jaws Bridge” used for jumping into the channel.
Menemsha Beach
A small beach next to a working fishing village on Martha’s Vineyard, famous for having the island’s best sunset views. Known for fresh seafood available nearby and a relaxed, authentic atmosphere.
Sandy Neck Beach
A 6-mile barrier beach with diverse coastal habitats including maritime forest and salt marshes. Offers off-road vehicle access, primitive camping, and hiking trails through unique ecosystems.
Horseneck Beach
A 2-mile barrier beach on Buzzards Bay with panoramic views and rolling surf. Features camping facilities, excellent bird watching in adjacent salt marshes, and consistent breezes for windsurfing.