Gloucester's famous beaches are perfect spots to walk, swim or just relax. Bring a book and enjoy the day. Alcohol is not allowed on any beaches. Dogs are not allowed on beaches from May 1st to September 15th. Please respect our litter laws and help keep our beaches and parks clean. Gloucester has adopted a "Carry In, Carry Out" policy at Good Harbor Beach, Wingaersheek Beach, Niles Beach and Plum Cove Beach. Visitors should be prepared to carry any trash out with them when they leave.  Good Harbor and Wingaersheek both have a wheelchair designed to navigate over the sand.  If you have this need, contact the head lifeguard or ask one of the beach personnel. Many local accommodations offer special beach parking for guests and parking is always free in the evenings. You can also walk or bike to beaches at no charge. 

For any questions relating to resident beach stickers, use of beaches, etc. contact the Department of Public Works, Beach and Parks Department, at (978) 281-9785.  This is the number that should be used for school groups and private parties looking to use the parks and beaches for outings.





Good Harbor Beach
Located on Thatcher Road, Rte. 127A - This is a beautiful beach with lovely, white sand facing the Atlantic. There is a concession stand, rest rooms, and showers. Parking fee is $20 during the week per car; $25, weekends and holidays. Parking is limited so plan to arrive early. 

Driving Directions: Take Rte. 128 into Gloucester. Follow the signs for East Gloucester/Rockport. Go through two rotaries. Go through the first set of lights. At the second set of lights take a left onto Bass Avenue. Follow that for about a mile. At the intersection of Bass Avenue and Thatcher Rd. Take a left. You will see the beach off to the right. 

Reminder: This is a carry-in/carry-out beach. You must take your trash with you. Nothing should be left behind but your footprints.





Wingaersheek Beach
Situated in the western part of Gloucester on Atlantic Street off Rte. 133 and Concord Street, this beautiful beach is along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. There is a concession, rest rooms and showers. Parking fee is $20 during the week per car; $25, weekends and holidays. Parking is limited so plan to arrive early. Both Concord and Atlantic Streets are narrow roads with many curves. Please drive carefully and observe the speed limits for your own safety.

Directions: Take Rte. 128 to Exit 14. At the bottom of the ramp, take a right onto Rte. 133. About a mile on the left you will see a small traffic island with a sign saying Wingaersheek Beach. Take this left. This is Concord St. Follow until you reach another traffic island on the corner of Concord and Atlantic St. Take a right. Follow this along to the beach. 

Reminder: This is a carry-in/carry out beach. You must take your trash with you. Nothing should be left behind but your footprints.





Niles Beach
This beach is located on Eastern Point Road.  It has a wonderful view of Gloucester Harbor.

This beach is sticker parking only. 

Reminder: This is a carry-in/carry out beach. You must take your trash with you. Nothing should be left behind but your footprints.














Pavilion Beach
The beach is located on the eastern end of Stacy Boulevard. It can be accessed from the Boulevard or through Beach Court. There is no dedicated parking lot for this beach. Pavillion Beach is the site of Gloucester's annual Greasy Pole Walk Competition. The pole is shown in the photo at left.














Plum Cove Beach
Located on Washington Street in the northern section of the City, this beach looks out to Ipswich Bay. This beach is sticker parking only. 

 Reminder: This is a carry-in/carry out beach. You must take your trash with you. Nothing should be left behind but your footprints.














Cressy and Half Moon Beaches
Half Moon is a lovely small beach ideal for families with children. Cressy's Beach is a rocky, more natural beach. Both are accessed from Stage Fort Park. There is a fee for parking in the Stage Fort Park lot.

Directions: Take Exit 14 off Rte. 128. At the bottom of the ramp, take a right onto Rte. 133. Follow to the end with the harbor in front of you. Go right. The Park is located on the left. Parking is $10 per car weekdays, $15 weekends and holidays.














Long Beach
Gloucester shares Long Beach with the town of Rockport. It is a long, sandy beach perfect for picnics and long walks. It is located off of Thacher Road just beyond Good Harbor Beach. There is private parking in the area as well as motels and cottages which provide parking for their guests. Driving Directions: Take Rte. 128 into Gloucester. Follow the signs for East Gloucester/Rockport. Go through two rotaries. Go through the first set of lights. At the second set of lights take a left onto Bass Avenue. Follow that for about a mile. At the intersection of Bass Avenue and Thatcher Rd. Take a left. Proceed past Good Harbor Beach and take a right onto Rockport Road.