With nearly 200 miles of coastline in America’s Northeast region, Massachusetts is a prime spot for a summer beach vacation. Temperatures are reasonable for this peak season so New Englanders flock to the state’s seashores. Consider visiting one of MA’s top beaches during the off-season and experience the charming communities that reside by them.
12 Best Beach Towns to Live in Massachusetts
With 192 miles of coastline (1,519 miles according to the NOAA), it’s not shocking that Massachusetts is home to some of the East Coast’s best and most well-known beach towns. Whether you’re looking for a new homestead by the sea or a vacation spot to stuff yourself with fresh seafood, the Old Bay State has …
Top Beaches and Coastal Towns in MA
There are a lot of choices in beach towns as well as island communities. Consider coastal cities like Glouchester and Salem located north of Boston, or head southeast out to Cape Cod to visit hot spots like Barnstable and Falmouth. Popular islands include Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. All make lovely places to visit and escape the bustling capital city during any time of year.
Guide to Visiting the Beaches in Massachusetts
From the sands of Cape Cod Bay to the cliffs of Martha’s Vineyard, all along Massachusetts’s 192 miles of coastline (1,519 miles, according to the NOAA), you’ll find some gorgeous beaches. Some beaches are crowded with bars and restaurants, while others are more secluded and wild.
Cape Cod has more than 100 beaches and has long been considered one of the top places to go on vacation in the summer in the United States. Massachusetts’s hook-shaped peninsula is well-known for its stunning sands, quaint little villages, and thriving arts and culture scenes.
Finding the perfect beach to spend your time at might be challenging given the plethora of choices. Ballston has a laid-back vibe and a long beach with a lot of sand, making it a great place to relax and hang out. On the other hand, Massachusetts’ Sandy Neck Beach is the longest and one of the most beautiful seasides in the state.
Nauset Light is one of the most popular beaches on the Outer Cape, and the public can go there from April to October.
Gray’s Beach in Yarmouth, often known as “Bass Hole” by the locals, has a boardwalk that stretches 800 feet out over the salt marsh and into Cape Cod Bay. Martha’s Vineyard is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, and its beaches are a major draw. The northern and eastern sides of the Island provide calm, clean water, while the southern side is home to expansive waves.
Massachusetts Coastal Climate
The Massachusetts Coast is most beautiful in the months of April, May, June, September, and October. The weather is mild enough for outdoor activities, there are fewer tourists than in the summer, and hotel costs are lower.
Cape Cod’s whole region blossoms in May and June, providing an extra visual treat. January is the coldest month with average high/low temperatures of 38°/21°, while July is the warmest with average high/low temperatures of 79°/64°.
Sharks
Sharks do inhabit the Massachusetts shore. During the height of summer, you may see them in popular tourist destinations like Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.
Cape Cod’s warm seas and constantly migrating seals and fish provide the perfect environment for sharks. In recent years, “shark tourism” has attracted hundreds of people from throughout the area to see these beautiful and dangerous animals.
The great white shark is one of the most prevalent kinds found in Massachusetts’s waters. The basking, tiger, blue, bull, and mako sharks are also common sightings.
Keep a sharp lookout for sharks at all times of day, although they are most active in the morning and evening. The lifeguards should be listened to very carefully.
Activities
Even though the beaches along the coast of Massachusetts are a big reason for the state’s popularity, the shoreline has a lot more to offer tourists.
A wide variety of recreational opportunities are provided on Martha’s Island, including boating and other water sports, horseback riding, and even fitness training. Nantucket Sound may have fun in various ways, including swimming, golfing, hiking, tennis, kayaking, meditating, and windsurfing.
Cape Cod is a playground for the creative and the daring. The Cape is consistently ranked among the world’s best places for whale watching, paddle boarding, fishing, and more.
Accommodations
All of your lodging needs will be met by the options along the coast of Massachusetts. Every tourist destination, and even some of the smaller, calmer communities, has hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, inns, and bed and breakfasts on the water’s edge.
The months of June, July, and August, as well as the weeks around spring break, tend to have higher prices. Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard are popular summer vacation spots, and many visitors book their accommodations early to get the best rates and most desirable dates. You should start searching for hotels in Massachusetts now if you plan on visiting the coast soon.
Visit one of the numerous world-class beaches along the coast of Massachusetts and make the most of your vacation. Enjoy some of the best seafood in the United States while looking out at the Atlantic Ocean and the beautiful coastline of New England.
