The formerly exclusive Crane Estate in Ipswich is where Crane Beach is located. This beautiful public beach is now more than just a place to enjoy the sun; it serves as an important nesting location for the nearly extinct piping plover bird and has a shorebird protection program to ensure the safety of these feathered friends. Crane Beach has long been a favorite of the ocean-loving public, thanks to its clear, inviting water, miles of shoreline, and breathtaking views.

Visited by more than 350,000 people annually, Crane Beach remains a national model for balancing the conservation of diverse natural habitats and wildlife—more than 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest grace the property—with the management of active public recreation. Whether you want to take a refreshing plunge, play in the sand, or bask in the sun, this unparalleled seaside experience has provided fun and lasting memories for generations.

Crane Beach has received national recognition for its effective shorebird protection program and is one of the most significant nesting locations in the world for piping plovers, a threatened bird that was almost hunted to extinction in the 19th century for its eggs and feathers. You must stay away from the fenced nesting areas and the wrack, a line of washed-up organic debris where the threatened shorebirds feed and hide, if you want to preserve them during your visit. Crane Beach is unquestionably one of the best beaches near Boston.

• Getting there: Drive the scenic coastal road, or take the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail from North Station to Ipswich.
• Google rating: 4.6/5.0
  
• Location: 310 Argilla Rd Ipswich, MA 01938

Located about four miles from Salem, the quiet and less witchy town of Marblehead is among America's oldest settlements. Devereux Beach may be a bit out of the way, but this top Marblehead beach is considered one of the best beaches within easy reach of Boston. A 45-minute jaunt northeast will reward visitors with a scenic coastal journey, as well as an enjoyable sandy beach to lounge upon during a warm, sunny day.

Summer is the best time to visit Devereux Beach for numerous reasons: the temperature is much better, of course, but this is also the point at which lifeguards go on duty. You'll find them watching the surf between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm.

On-site, you'll find a concession stand and picnic pavilion. The restrooms are open from early morning (about 7 am) to late afternoon (about 4 pm) during the summer season, as long as the weather cooperates. An access mat makes it easy for those in wheelchairs or pushing strollers to get right on the sand.

• Getting there: Take the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail from North Station to Lynn, then take bus 441/442/448/449.
• Google rating: 4.5/5.0
  
• Address: 155 Ocean Ave Marblehead, MA 01945

Nantasket Beach, one of Greater Boston's busiest beaches, is a well-liked summer vacation spot for families looking to escape the heat. About an hour from Boston, in Hull, Massachusetts, is where you'll find Nantasket Beach. Its beach has about a mile of shoreline and soft, light gray sands. The beach also features a large number of tide pools at low tide.

The Wampanoag Indians gave it a name that refers to the sandy shores "where tides meet." At low tide, there is a ton of extra sand to explore along the Atlantic coastline, where tide pools are revealed. This beach is popular with families because children of all ages enjoy spending time searching for sea life in the shallow waters.

The beach is great for partaking in the typical beach activities such as swimming, sunbathing and sandcastles, but there are also many other ways to pass the day. There’s the 1.5 mile promenade trial, perfect for walking, biking or jogging. And during the summers, there are a number of public concerts to enjoy in the evening. There are also restrooms, a bathhouse and restaurants nearby.

• Getting there: Take the Greenbush commuter rail from South Station to West Hingham.
• Google rating: 4.6/5.0
  
• Address: 213 Nantasket Ave Hull, MA 02045

Carson Beach as well as the M and L Street Beaches form a three-mile stretch lining Dorchester Bay, just south of Pleasure Bay and Castle Island. At its most southern point, the beach widens and borders Joe Moakley Park, where you can take a break from the sand to play some pick-up basketball, bring the kids to the playground, or just relax on the grass. The L Street Brownies' annual New Year's Day polar plunge is launched from the Carson Beach during the off-peak months.

It is a public beach and an excellent location for swimming, playing volleyball, walking along the shoreline, or sunbathing and also offers an excellent view of the Boston Financial District. The beach is a popular spot for South Boston residents and their best canine pals.

A great place to take your dog for a walk along the water's edge is on the sandy shores. You can also go looking for sea glass to bring home as a souvenir of your amazing beach trip. You can bring a snack or light meal from home to share with Fido and the entire family, or there is a nearby concession stand selling food and beverages if you're in the mood for something smaller. Refillable water bottles and trash bags should be brought along.

• Getting there: Take the Red Line to the JFK/UMass station, approximately a half-mile away.
• Google rating: 4.3/5.0
  
• Address: Babe Ruth Road and William J. Day Boulevard Boston, MA 02127

Gloucester is basically beach city, with seven oceanside areas that attract locals and almost too many tourists each summer. All are within a few minutes from the city center, which lets you have the best of both worlds: a day at the beach, followed by a night out on the town.

The best beaches in Gloucester offer a variety of experiences, from small, secluded charmers with silky soft sand to large, pebbly wonders with impressive views and kaleidoscopic sunsets. Gloucester's varied beaches are simple to enjoy in any season because they are conveniently located on the enthrallingly beautiful Cape Ann. They're also a major draw for Bostonians on weekends who want to enjoy the sunshine and clean sea air in a charming setting. So, expect to share the sand, especially if you're visiting on a summer weekend.

If you're looking to swim, it's best to visit during summer, or at least between Memorial and Labor Days. That's when the lifeguards come on duty, and the water temperatures become a bit less frigid. It's also when the ice-cream trucks reopen, and who says "no" to ice cream at the shore? Stage Fort Park and Good Harbor beaches flank the city to the north and south, and offer a day-long adventure with picnic and grilling areas.

• Getting there: Take the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail from North Station to Gloucester.
• Google rating: N/A
  
• Address: Gloucester, MA 01930

Pleasure Bay, one of the best beaches near Boston, is located along the harbor walk right next to City Point beach. Picnic tables, ball fields and a playground are available for your enjoyment. Lifeguards are on duty for the summer season, and there is plenty of free parking available. Along the shore, Pleasure Bay beach offers access to the water. Visitors will find it best at low tide, when more beach is revealed, along with tide pools. There are also plenty of benches and shaded areas of grass perfect for picnicking.

It’s hard to imagine that South Boston’s Pleasure Bay was once literally just that: an entertainment center with ballrooms, restaurants and a beach. A waterside walking trail connects Pleasure Bay, a narrow sliver of white sand that caresses the sloping bay, to nearby Castle Island and its 1851 Fort Independence. The hordes of Southie locals and yuppies can wash off after a dip in the ocean thanks to the availability of public restrooms and showers. Grilling is permitted in the picnic area, and the well-known neighborhood landmark Sullivan's sells fried seafood, lobster rolls, and hot dogs.

• Getting there: Take the Red Line to Broadway, then walk or take bus 9 or 11 to City Point station.
• Google rating: 4.7/5.0
  
• Location: Pleasure Bay, South Boston, Massachusetts

A 30-minute ride south of the city will take you to Quincy, a destination known for its historical landmarks. After touring and brushing up on your presidential knowledge, make your way to Wollaston Beach.

Wollaston Beach, which is a part of the Quincy Shore Reservation, was established in 1908 and is made up of the three distinct sand dunes of Wollaston, Atlantic, and Fenno that were joined together to form the largest beach on Boston Harbor. Discover the more than two miles of shoreline, the uninterrupted waterside walkway, and the numerous concession stands dotted along Quincy Shore Drive. This well-liked location is on Quincy Bay and offers a two-mile continuous walkway, making it ideal for those who prefer their exercise facility served with a view of the water. The crowd is mixed and family-friendly.

The beach runs along Quincy Shore Drive, which boasts street parking. Across the street are several well-known seafood shacks, where you can get your fill of fresh New England fish. Views from the beach include Boston, several of the Harbor Islands, and nearby Hull. Be sure to charge your camera.

• Getting there: Take the Red Line to North Quincy, then take the 211 bus
• Google rating: 4.3/5.0
  
• Address: Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, MA 02169

The three-mile, crescent-shaped Revere Beach is America’s oldest public beach, dating back to 1896. It was designed by Charles Eliot, a Cambridge native and protégée of Frederick Law Olmsted.

The roller coasters and carousels might be attractions of the past at Revere Beach, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of action on this stretch of sand that lies five miles north of Boston.

Pavilions with a Victorian flair, food vendors, and a heavy beat from the radios of passing cars all contribute to the ambience of what is known as the first public beach in America. This two-mile crescent is an ideal swimming beach, with gentle waves curling into shore. Views in the distance of lighthouses and passing boats add depth to the horizon.

This is a place where people are likely to spend the entire day because it has athletic fields, a bandstand, restrooms, and seasonal lifeguards. Revere Beach is also home to the flagship Revere Beach International Sand-Sculpting Festival (ISSF), which draws thousands to the area to view amazing sand sculptures from sculptors around the world. This free and family-friendly beach festival also brings along with it live entertainment, fireworks and food vendors.

• Getting there: Take the Blue Line to Wonderland.
• Google rating: 4.5/5.0
  
• Address: Blue Line Revere Beach Revere, MA 02151

One of the best beaches near Boston in the Dorchester neighborhood is Malibu Beach, which is next to Savin Hill Beach. For those who want to spend a day outside of the city without traveling too far, it is a fantastic option. Boston is located just south of Malibu Beach. The Dorchester Bay Basin is visible from the east end of Malibu Beach, which makes for an excellent view. On the National Grid Gas tank, there is a famous Corita Kent painting that is visible.

The beach is still ideal for participating in beach sports like volleyball or playing with a beach ball even though it isn't particularly sandy. The perfect spot for visitors to sit and enjoy their picnics while admiring Malibu Beach is one of the beach's few grassy patches. Along with water fountains that guests can use, there are also a number of picnic tables available. Also accessible to visitors is the beachside snack bar.

The sands of Malibu Beach are also dog-friendly for visitors to stroll their pets. activities that involve the water, such as kayaking, surfing, and water paddling. Visitors can relax knowing they are safe thanks to the presence of lifeguards. To reenergize yourself, all it takes is a stroll along the beach's edge.

• Getting there: You can avail the Subway via two lines. The MBTA Redline drops the passengers off at the Savin Hill Station. Another option is coming through the Fairmount train. If you’re at Savin Hill Beach, then you can easily walk till here.
• Google rating: 4.4/5.0
  
• Address: Malibu Rd Malibu, CA 90265

One of the few Boston Beaches, Constitution Beach is located in the Harborview Neighborhood of the East Boston area. East Boston might seem like an odd place to create a beach, but Constitution Beach is indeed a man-made, sandy oasis tucked into an inlet just opposite Logan Airport.

If you're looking for a nearby, less crowded public beach to spend the day at, this is the ideal getaway for Boston residents. Because of the passing planes and subway trains, Constitution Beach is very noisy due to its proximity to Logan Airport and the blue T's line tracks. The sand still serves its purpose as a base for walking, sunning, building sandcastles, and other activities even though it has a gritty rather than a soft feel to it.

Constitution Beach is not a particularly large beach, but it is wide and roomy enough for families to enjoy the gentle sand and bright sunshine. The beach has calm waves, so it might be a secure choice for kids who want to go swimming. It also adds an additional layer of security because lifeguards are always on patrol. Constitution Beach also received an upgrade recently. Concession stands, basketball and tennis courts, a large playground, a picnic area, etc. are now available.

• Getting there: You can easily reach Constitution Beach through the subway by taking the Blue Line T to Orient Heights station. After that, walk a short distance from Bennington Street to the beach.
• Google rating: 4.5/5.0
  
• Address: 799 Bennington St Boston, MA 02128