Beaches in Plymouth, MA
Searching for the best beach spots in Plymouth, MA to visit on your next day trip or longer vacation? Well, you are in the right place! I think that Plymouth’s beaches combine New England’s coastal beauty with a rich sense of history, making them some of the most unique spots along Massachusetts’ shoreline. Here are the beaches I recommend, and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Plymouth Long Beach - 10 minutes from Plymouth, MA
This is one of my favorite beaches in Plymouth, MA, offering that quintessential Cape Cod atmosphere! We loved the salty sea breezes, seagulls overhead, and the rhythmic crash of waves against the shoreline.
I thought it was the best change of scenery after such a short scenic 45-minute drive down the South Shore from Boston!
In addition, I thought that Plymouth Long Beach was impressive, a three-mile barrier beach peninsula stretching into Cape Cod Bay, forming a "long arm" of sand and dunes that helps protect Plymouth Harbor from the open ocean.
Plymouth Long Beach is an easy day trip from Boston but we decided to make it a weekend getaway and I stayed two days at Iris Hotel-Cape Cod- Falmouth. While there, we made the most of it, strolling along Plymouth’s historic waterfront with its mix of seafood shacks and boutiques, visiting and the Mayflower II, and (of course!) spending lazy days on Plymouth Long Beach.
- Location: Along the southern shoreline of Plymouth Harbor on the Atlantic coast
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays in summer for smaller crowds
- Location Map
- Plymouth Long Beach website
What I loved best:
Visiting the iconic Plymouth Rock in the morning before our beach day was my favorite highlight!
A downside? We had to walk further down the peninsula at high tide to find a nice stretch of beach because near the parking lot the beach was quite narrow and rocky.
2. Ellisville Harbor State Park - 20 minutes from Plymouth
Tucked away along a quiet stretch of Cape Cod Bay, to me, this place felt like one of those hidden New England gems — raw, windswept, and wonderfully wild - definitely one of my favorite beaches in Plymouth.!
I loved how with its mix of rolling meadows, coastal forest, salt marsh, and a crescent-shaped beach, Ellisville Harbor State Park offered a side of Massachusetts that felt untouched and serene.
- Location: In Plymouth, Massachusetts, along the western shore of Cape Cod Bay, featuring coastal dunes, salt marshes, and beachfront
- Map & Directions
- Ellisville Harbor State Park website
What I loved best:
A peaceful half-mile trail led me through fields of wildflowers and tall grasses before opening suddenly to the sight of the broad salt marsh and, beyond it, the shimmering blue of Cape Cod Bay.
3. Stephens Field Park, Downtown
I think this one of the best beaches in Plymouth for families or anyone who wants calm, scenic space by the sea. This is the closest beach to downtown Plymouth and I loved how it offered a blend of small-town charm and coastal relaxation. It was just renovated in 2025 and offers two new clean bathrooms. We found Stephens Field Park nestled right along Plymouth Harbor, a community green space where locals gather, kids play, and the water views stretch out endlessly in a way that completely won me over.
I came here after checking out the historic streets around Main and Court Street, and within minutes I was sitting under a shady tree with a salty breeze drifting in off the harbor.
We spent seven blissful days here in a vacation rental nearby. The park is dotted with benches, picnic tables, and great new playground, which our son enjoyed.
- Location: In downtown Plymouth, Massachusetts, along the Plymouth waterfront near Plymouth Harbor
- Map & Directions
- Stephens Field Park website
What I loved best:
There’s a simplicity to Stephen’s Field Park that I really enjoyed — it’s not a major tourist stop, but it feels like a place where you can slow down and take in the rhythm of the town.
The best part for me was the wide-open lawn that slopes down to the shoreline, where I lingered watching boats moving across the harbor.
4. Nelson Memorial Park - easily walkable from the town center
Looking for a coastal escape steeped in local history? Just a few blocks from Plymouth’s bustling downtown and harbor, this place felt like a welcoming, family-friendly spot to enjoy the bay at a slower pace.
The park has a broad stretch of grassy space perfect for spreading out a blanket, and at low tide you can walk along the sand and watch small boats bobbing out in the harbor.
It’s not a “big-ticket” attraction, but that’s what I liked most — Nelson Memorial Park feels lived-in and loved, with a strong sense of community.
- Location: In Plymouth, Massachusetts, along the Plymouth waterfront just north of downtown, overlooking Plymouth Harbor
- Map & Directions
- Nelson Memorial Park website
What I loved best:
For me, Nelson Memorial Park is one of the best beaches in Plymouth, MA because it's peaceful and unique!
It’s the kind of place that gives you a glimpse of everyday Plymouth life right alongside the postcard harbor views.
5. Nantasket Beach - 1 hour from Plymouth, MA
While we had to drive for an hour from Plymouth to get here on a day trip, this classic New England beach was awesome and is one of my favorites near Plymouth! Why? Nantasket Beach is a long, sandy and family-friendly. Our son loved running down the wide shoreline, and my husband and I savored the sunset at the end of the day.
We enjoyed the turn-of-the-century boardwalk and easygoing coastal vibe. For me, it felt like stepping into a timeless Massachusetts beach town.
We checked into the 3-star Nantasket Beach Resort, where our room for four days had a cozy fireplace and a balcony overlooking the waves, the perfect place to unwind.
- Location: In Hull, Massachusetts, along Nantasket Beach on the Atlantic coast, just south of Boston
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
For me, Nantasket Beach is one of the beach beaches near Plymouth, MA. The sight of the long crescent of Nantasket Beach, with its mix of kite flyers, sunbathers, and surfers, immediately set the tone for a relaxing seaside retreat.
A downside? Peak-season beach crowds in July were overwhelming. We came back in the off season in October and it was lovely!
In addition, summer parking for non-MA-residents (determined by the vehicle license plate) is $40 which I thought was high. $15 for residents is more reasonable.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
