Top beaches
BeachCoast Guard Beach
BeachRevere Beach
BeachNantasket Beach
BeachCrane Beach
BeachWinthrop Beach
BeachWingaersheek Beach
BeachCraigville Beach
BeachWest Beach, Beverly, Massachusetts
BeachDuxbury Beach
BeachNew Silver Beach
BeachCarson Beach, South Boston
BeachNauset Beach
Beaches by county
All beaches (26)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coast Guard BeachCape Cod | Barnstable County | 3 m | Eastham | 5 |
| Revere Beach | Suffolk County | 3 m | Revere | 9 |
| Nantasket Beach | Plymouth County | — | Hingham | 7 |
| Crane Beach | Essex County | 3 m | Essex | 5 |
| Winthrop BeachBoston Harbor Islands | Suffolk County | 1 m | Winthrop | 9 |
| Wingaersheek Beach | Essex County | 2 m | Gloucester | 6 |
| Craigville Beach | Barnstable County | — | Centerville | 6 |
| West Beach, Beverly, Massachusetts | Essex County | 5 m | Manchester-by-the-Sea | 7 |
| Duxbury Beach | Plymouth County | — | Duxbury | 6 |
| New Silver Beach | Barnstable County | — | North Falmouth | 5 |
| Carson Beach, South Boston | Suffolk County | 3 m | South Boston | 9 |
| Nauset Beach | Barnstable County | 3 m | Eastham | 5 |
| Marconi BeachCape Cod | Barnstable County | 4 m | North Eastham | 4 |
| Cooks Brook BeachCape Cod | Barnstable County | 3 m | North Eastham | 4 |
| Magazine BeachJohn Fitzgerald Kennedy | Middlesex County | 4 m | Cambridgeport | 9 |
| Savin Hill Beach | Suffolk County | 3 m | Savin Hill | 9 |
| Cahoon Hollow BeachCape Cod | Barnstable County | 8 m | Wellfleet | 4 |
| Peggotty Beach | Plymouth County | 1 m | Scituate | 6 |
| White Crest BeachCape Cod | Barnstable County | 15 m | Wellfleet | 4 |
| Wollaston BeachBoston Harbor Islands | Norfolk County | — | Quincy | 9 |
| Nauset Light Beach | Barnstable County | 18 m | North Eastham | 5 |
| Yirrell BeachBoston Harbor Islands | Suffolk County | — | Winthrop | 9 |
| North Scituate Beach | Plymouth County | — | North Scituate | 6 |
| Lambert's Cove Beach | Dukes County | — | Vineyard Haven | 4 |
| Attaquin Beach | Barnstable County | — | Mashpee | 6 |
| Constitution Beach | Suffolk County | — | Orient Heights | 9 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph beaches
Beaches facing east suit sunrise and west-facing beaches suit sunset; wet sand mirrors the sky color during golden hour.
- Time visits around low tide to reveal tide pools, sea stacks and reflective sand — check the tide widget below.
- Slow shutter speeds (0.5–2 s) turn receding waves into streaks that lead toward the horizon.
- Watch for sneaker waves; never turn your back on the ocean on exposed coasts.
- Salt spray coats lenses quickly; wipe often and rinse gear afterward.
- Fog and marine layers can make minimalist images; don't give up on grey days.
Season: Winter storms bring dramatic surf on Pacific coasts; summer and autumn sunsets are popular on Atlantic and Gulf beaches.