Best Beaches in Gloucester, MA
Searching for the best beaches in Gloucester, Massachusetts to visit on your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! I’ve found that Gloucester’s beaches are some of the most scenic and welcoming when I moved to the East Coast. I've enjoyed discovering everything from wide sandy stretches to quiet coves perfect for relaxation, and I hope you like them too.
1. Good Harbor Beach
I thought that this is one of the best beaches in Gloucester! Why? First off, Good Harbor Beach felt like stepping into one of New England’s most iconic seaside postcards! In addition, I loved its wide sweep of soft, white sand opening onto the Atlantic ( framed by dunes and Salt Island just offshore!). About a 45-minute drive north of Boston, I checked into 4-star Beauport Hotel Gloucester for two relaxing days.
Located just minutes from downtown Gloucester near Route 127, this spectacular stretch of sand feels both accessible and like a hidden gem at the same time.
I love how the soft white sand and rolling Atlantic waves create an amazing, joyful atmosphere that works perfectly for a family weekend or a romantic getaway.
One of my favorite things about Good Harbor Beach is the stunning view of Salt Island, which you can actually walk to at low tide for a cool and unusual adventure.
We always find this beach to be an underrated Massachusetts gem, especially when the light hits the water and everything looks vibrant and magical.
The experience here feels relaxed yet exciting, with locals playing volleyball, kids splashing in the shallows, and couples strolling along the shoreline.
I think this beach offers the absolute best mix of beauty and comfort, with lifeguards on duty, restrooms nearby, and plenty of space to spread out.
Parking can take a little planning, but for me it’s a brilliant idea to arrive early and enjoy the peaceful morning calm.
We’ve spent entire afternoons here watching the waves crash and spotting seabirds, and it always feels like time slows down in the best way.
What makes Good Harbor Beach truly special is how it balances being popular with still feeling like a unique, personal escape.
What I loved best:
The rhythm - it was classic New England (of course!), my favorite highlight.
2. Pavillion Beach
We absolutely love Pavillion Beach, and have been many times. Stretching along Gloucester Harbor with a clear, gentle shoreline, this beach feels like one of Massachusetts’ most underrated coastal gems. Unlike the broad expanses of Good Harbor, this beach sits right in the heart of town. I loved the way fishing boats, schooners, and ferries passed close by, reminding us that Gloucester is still very much an active seaport!
Just steps from downtown Gloucester, I discovered the compact shoreline where we enjoyed an easy beach day, followed by a comfortable night at the famous 4-star Beauport Hotel (from $257/night) right at the edge of the beach.
What I love about visiting Pavilion Beach is how easy it is to reach and how much you can enjoy in just a few hours. Located right in the heart of Gloucester, it’s a perfect spot if you want a classic New England coastal experience without needing to plan a full beach day. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and arriving early in the summer, especially on weekends, since the beach is small and fills up quickly.
Getting to Pavilion Beach is simple. If you’re coming from Boston, the easiest option is taking the MBTA Commuter Rail (Newburyport/Rockport Line) from North Station to Gloucester, which takes about an hour. From the station, Pavilion Beach is roughly a 10-minute walk through downtown. If you’re driving, there’s limited street parking nearby, so timing matters. I prefer the train whenever possible—it’s relaxing, scenic, and avoids parking headaches.
Once you’re there, Pavilion Beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, or just sitting on the sand and watching boats come in and out of the harbor. Because it’s tucked into Gloucester Harbor, the water is usually calmer than the open-ocean beaches nearby. You’ll also be steps away from downtown, which makes it easy to grab coffee, seafood, or ice cream without ever moving your car.
If you visit Pavilion Beach, I highly recommend walking along Harbor Loop or heading toward Stage Fort Park for incredible ocean views and a bit more space to explore. Gloucester is rich in maritime history, and you’ll see it everywhere—from fishing boats to historic buildings and monuments. There are also plenty of local seafood spots nearby where you can try fresh lobster rolls, fried clams, or chowder.
One thing to keep in mind is that Gloucester has a lot to offer beyond the beach, and it’s easy to wander without a plan and miss some highlights. On our first visit, we joined a guided experience to better understand the area and make the most of our time.
What I loved best:
From the sand, I could see the historic Ten Pound Island Lighthouse in the distance, my favorite highlight.
3. Half Moon Beach
I was easily won over by this beach tucked within Stage Fort Park! I loved that the beach was clearly shaped by a half moon curve that gives it its name!
I loved visiting Half Moon Beach during our early years on the East Coast—it quickly became one of those places that felt both refreshing and grounding. Getting there from New York City was surprisingly easy by car, usually around four to five hours depending on traffic, and the drive itself felt like a gradual exhale as city streets gave way to winding coastal roads.
Tucked along Cape Ann, Gloucester had a timeless, salt-in-the-air charm. The town felt authentic and unpretentious, with weathered fishing boats, clapboard houses, and a deep connection to the sea that made everything feel real and lived-in.
Half Moon Beach itself was a quiet treasure. Framed by smooth granite rocks and the steady rhythm of the Atlantic, it felt secluded and intimate—perfect for slow walks along the shoreline, collecting shells, and sitting together listening to the waves crash against the rocks.
One of my favorite moments was watching the light change over the water near sunset, when the sky softened into pastel blues and pinks and the ocean seemed to glow. It felt peaceful in a way that stayed with me long after we left.
We loved how easy it was to mix nature with small-town pleasures. After a beach walk, we’d wander back into town for clam chowder or lobster rolls at cozy seafood spots, lingering over meals without any sense of hurry.
Nearby coastal trails offered gentle hikes with sweeping ocean views, and we often found ourselves stopping just to take it all in—the wind, the sound of seabirds, and the endless horizon.
Evenings were simple and perfect: quiet dinners, salty air drifting through open windows, and nighttime walks where the lighthouse beams in the distance made everything feel cinematic and calm.
What I loved best:
Sitting together on the rocks at Half Moon Beach, wrapped in a light jacket, watching the waves roll in—it felt private, grounding, and deeply romantic, like a shared secret along the Massachusetts coast.
A downside? Parking for non-residents requires reservation in advance, and there are parking fees.
4. Front Beach
Tucked along Rockport’s shoreline, this feels like one of the most inviting and perfectly sized beaches on Cape Ann. In addition, I thought that it was the perfect “in-town” escape — a sandy crescent just steps from Rockport’s quaint Main Street.
Unlike Gloucester’s wide, windswept Good Harbor or the tucked-away Half Moon, this one had a lively, village feel. The sound of waves mingled with church bells, gallery doors swinging open, and the chatter of visitors exploring the shops nearby.
What I loved best:
I love that it’s the kind of beach where I can swim in the morning, then stroll a few steps for a delicious ice cream or a lobster roll at lunch - It completely won me over!
5. Wingaersheek Beach
Stretching along the Annisquam River with its famously soft white sand, this is one of the most breathtaking coastal spots I’ve visited in Massachusetts. When I visited this month, I thought I was discovering Cape Ann’s softer, gentler side — a long expanse of pale sand, calm waters, and giant sculpted boulders scattered like art along the shoreline. I came on a sunlit morning and instantly felt the hush of calm waters on Ipswich Bay.
- Location: In Gloucester, Massachusetts, along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay on Cape Ann
- Map & Directions
- Wingaersheek Beach website
What I loved best:
For me, Wingaersheek Beach is one of the best beaches in Gloucester, MA because it's so soft and unique!
At low tide, the beach seemed to stretch endlessly, with sandbars and tidal pools opening up like a natural playground for wandering, wading, and exploring.
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