Readers Say

This is the best beach in Massachusetts, according to Boston.com readers

You'll find it in Ipswich.

Crane Beach in Ipswich. file

May 28, 2024

Need help choosing your next Massachusetts beach day destination?

We asked Boston.com readers for their favorite Bay State beach and the clear winner of nearly 80 responses was Crane Beach in Ipswich.

A Cape Cod beach ranked among the 10 best in the U.S., according to ‘Dr. Beach’

Crane beach, which offers more than 1,200 acres of beachfront, maritime forest, hiking trails, and dunes, is billed as “one of the Northeast’s most spectacular beaches” and sees more than 350,000 visitors each year, according to the Trustees of Reservations, which owns and maintains the property.

Beach amenities include a store, bathhouse, outdoor rinsing stations, equipment rentals, and a snack shack operated by Relish Catering. CraneOutdoors also offers guided, weekend kayak excursions.

Last year, the Trustees phased out its beach parking permits at Crane Beach in favor of a new system of day passes released twice a week that it says “makes access to the beach more equitable for visitors.”

Here’s what some of our readers had to say about Crane Beach:

“Miles of perfect sand” — William R. from North Reading

“Clear water, perfect sand, tide in-lets, food, changing rooms. A dynamite beach to walk (early morning or late afternoon).” — Bud from North Dighton

Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester on July 18, 2020. – Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Our readers’ second-favorite beach in the state is Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester.

The sandy spot was named among the 10 best beaches in the Northeast by USA Today readers last year.

USA Today wrote, in part, about Good Harbor Beach, “Boasting a wide stretch of sandy shoreline and family-friendly amenities, this popular beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming and sandcastle building. The beach also offers picturesque views of the iconic Thacher Island Twin Lights and small islands off the shore that you can walk to at low tide.”

Here’s what one Boston.com reader had to say about Good Harbor Beach:

“Not too big, not too small, clean sand, beautiful sand, nice patrons, Good Harbor Beach Inn, snack stands, close to Rockport. Gloucester is a great town. Only 40 minutes from Boston.” — Stephen M. from Anaheim, California

Finally, three beaches tied for third place, according to readers, and they are: Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Horseneck Beach in Westport, and Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester.

Coast Guard beach, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, was just named among the 10 best beaches in America in 2024 by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, also known as “Dr. Beach.”