Samuel de Champlain visited Gloucester in 1604 and was so impressed, he named the harbor “Le Beauport”, or beautiful harbor. Indeed, our deep protected harbor made it a natural place for early English settlers to come to fish. Half Moon Beach at Stage FortPark was where they set up their first fish drying stages.

The Massachusetts Bay Compact was signed here in 1623, making Gloucester the oldest seaport in the United States, even older than neighboring Salem & Boston. Since then many generations of Gloucestermen have gone to sea in search of cod, haddock, halibut, swordfish, and lobster.

Gloucester boasts stunning beaches, suitable for strolling, sunning, swimming, or body surfing. 
Wingaersheek Beach: Flour soft white sand, tide pools, lighthouse views, calm water. Lifeguards, food, changing rooms, fee for parking.

Good Harbor Beach / Back Shore: Wide flat beach excellent for walking, body surfing, volleyball. Lifeguards, food, changing rooms, fee for parking.

Niles Beach / East Gloucester: Beautiful views of harbor, Boston. Walk-ins only.

Pavilion Beach & Stacy Blvd. / Downtown: Harbor & lighthouse views, free on street parking.

Cressy’s & Half Moon Beaches /at Stage Fort Park: Cressy’s: rocky, scenicHalf Moon: Small, harbor views, excellent for families. Lifeguards, visitor center, playground, restrooms, picnic area, walking trails, fee for More information on Gloucester's beaches: http://www.discovergloucester.com/things-to-do/free-fun/the-beaches-free.html

You can’t beat Gloucester for great food. Whether you have an elegant function, a taste for fresh from the boat seafood enjoyed with water views or you’re in the mood for Portugese steak or tapas. Gloucester boasts upscale bistros, casual eat in the rough spots, and everything in between. And of course, cozy coffee, tea & pastry shops (or a cool gelato) if you just need a snack.

Check out our restaurants: http://www.discovergloucester.com/foodies/restaurants/

Gloucester is rated as one of the top 10 places to see whales by USA TODAY, and one of the top 5 places in the world for whale watching by the World Wildlife Foundation.

This is because Gloucester is in close proximity to two major feeding areas for the great whales. No other New England port has closer access to so many whales and such a wide variety of whale species, so we should not be suprised that Gloucester boasts some of the best whale watching companies and finest research organizations in the world.

So how do you choose which whale watch company to sail with when you want to see these whales for yourself?

The truth is, it's the whales that you are here to see and it is they who will make your time on the water special no matter what.  That being said...