The historic town of Plymouth stands as a gateway to some of the finest public beaches near the Atlantic coastline.
Although many of the beaches in this region require seasonal parking stickers, this guide only includes locations where access is either free or day-pass is available.
Plymouth Bay, Cape Cod Bay, and Buzzards Bay, all have excellent beaches with fun activities and convenient amenities.
From family-friendly spots like Onset Beach to surfing mecca – Nantasket Beach, there is an option for all types of beachgoers, even the four-legged ones.
Discover what Plymouth has to offer!
1. Plymouth Long Beach
- Distance from Plymouth: 3 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, kayaking, paddleboarding, walking
- Facilities: restrooms, parking, picnic tables, seasonal lifeguards, concessions, dog-friendly
Located just 3 miles from the town center, Plymouth Long Beach – the town’s largest – offers visitors an alluring mix of natural beauty, recreation, and conservation.
Stretching across three miles, this barrier beach is a haven for wildlife, hosting a variety of threatened and endangered shorebirds like the piping plover and roseate tern.
Amid this stunning setting, beachgoers can swim, walk, picnic, or fish while soaking in the stunning views of Plymouth Harbor.
With on-site parking, the beach provides seasonal lifeguards, restrooms, and concessions, making a day at the beach both safe and convenient.
Visitors can call the Beach Director for the availability of beach wheelchairs, ensuring the beach is accessible to all.
Plymouth Long Beach is a fun family-friendly destination where everyone is welcome, including the four-legged friends.
2. Nelson Memorial Park
- Distance from Plymouth: 1 mile
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, kayaking, paddleboarding, walking
- Facilities: restrooms, parking, picnic tables, seasonal lifeguards, concessions, playground, boat launch
Nestled in the heart of Plymouth, Nelson Memorial Park is an oasis of fun and relaxation.
As Plymouth’s nearest and completely free beach, this family-friendly locale has something for everyone.
Children can delight in the splash pad and playground, while adults may appreciate a leisurely stroll on the paved walking trail that hugs the coastline, offering breathtaking views of Plymouth Harbor.
Boasting ample parking options, this park is not only easily accessible but also inclusive, with handicap-friendly amenities.
Adventure seekers can utilize the boat launch for an exciting day on the water.
When hunger strikes, the seasonal concession stand serves up quick bites for a perfect picnic under the shade trees.
Nelson Memorial Park is more than just a beach – it’s a community haven, where memories are made every day.
3. Duxbury Beach Park
- Distance from Plymouth: 14 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, kayaking, paddleboarding, walking, beachcombing
- Facilities: restrooms, parking, picnic tables, concessions
Brimming with natural beauty, Duxbury Beach Park is the only way to access the greater Duxbury Beach without a sticker.
Extending a stunning 7.5 miles, this family-friendly beach offers pristine views between Duxbury Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
The public access makes it an irresistible choice for beachgoers, providing parking for a nominal daily fee and ensuring facilities are ADA accessible.
Leisure activities abound, visitors can go swimming, paddling, beachcombing, or just stroll along the expansive shoreline.
The park doesn’t fall short on amenities either, boasting the beloved Blakeman’s Restaurant and a snack bar to keep hunger at bay.
Driving on the beach is possible but requires stickers that are available to residents and non-residents alike.
Snatching a sticker at the start of the season opens up the whole length of the beach, as well as a unique opportunity for car picnics with Atlantic views.
4. Brant Rock Beach
- Distance from Plymouth: 14 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, walking, beachcombing
- Facilities: restrooms, parking, concessions
Located in Marshfield, Brant Rock Beach is another option where a seasonal sticker is not required.
Yet, this is not your average beach – think less sand and more dramatic rocks creating a captivating and unique seascape.
A parking area welcomes visitors, ensuring hassle-free access to this coastal haven.
Additional facilities include well-maintained restrooms, making your visit convenient and comfortable.
A sturdy jetty stretches out into the sea, offering splendid views, as well as a haven for enthusiastic fishermen.
The beach is also notably dog-friendly, inviting beachgoers to share this scenic escapade with their four-legged friends (on leash).
Perhaps not the best option for swimming, this beach is excellent for beachcombing and exploring tide pools at low tide.
5. Rexhame Beach
- Distance from Plymouth: 15 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, walking, beachcombing
- Facilities: parking, picnic tables, dog-friendly
Located just 15 miles from Plymouth, Rexhame Beach is a sandy retreat perfect for family escapades, easily accessible with non-resident day passes.
Transformed from an inlet by a 19th-century storm, the beach now bustles with lively activity.
Pet-friendly, it hosts a special dog bag stand and hiking trail access, with dog-dedicated benches for tranquil rest.
Besides welcoming furry companions, the beach invites swimmers and beachcombers for a delightful day against the Atlantic’s backdrop.
On-site amenities include parking, a seasonal snack bar, restrooms, and a toddler playground.
Seasonal lifeguards ensure safety while trails leading to the South River and Humarock Beach add an adventurous note.
Rexhame Beach – a highly-rated escape, is one of the best in Massachusetts.
6. Ellisville Harbor State Park
- Distance from Plymouth: 16 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, hiking, beachcombing
- Facilities: restrooms, parking, picnic tables, trails
Located just 16 miles from Plymouth, Ellisville Harbor State Park offers a unique coastal encounter unlike any other on the South Shore.
This scenic 100-acre property, once home to prehistoric Native Americans, presents a stunning blend of rolling meadows, red pine forests, and a rocky beach bordering the expanse of Cape Cod Bay.
From the half-mile trail, visitors can admire the spectacular panorama of the bay, spot fishing boats, harbor seals, and a variety of birds.
Although swimming is permitted, caution is advised due to the absence of lifeguards and rocky terrain.
Facilities like picnic tables, benches, and an informational kiosk enhance visitor comfort.
The park, open from dawn to dusk, with ample parking, is an ideal retreat for hiking, bird-watching, or swimming, all absolutely free of charge.
7. Scusset Beach State Reservation
- Distance from Plymouth: 17 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, hiking, beachcombing, camping
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, trails, campground, fire pits
Situated at the eastern end of Cape Cod Canal, Scusset Beach State Reservation stands as a captivating blend of history and natural beauty in Sandwich, Massachusetts.
The park extends across a half-mile stretch of sandy beach, seamlessly blending with the dunes on Cape Cod Bay.
A state-of-the-art ADA-compliant boardwalk ensures accessibility, enhanced by wheelchair-friendly restrooms and showers.
Visitors can enjoy a quick bite from the snack bars or indulge in a cooling swim, supervised by seasonal lifeguards.
Hiking enthusiasts can explore the .7-mile trail leading to the historically significant Sagamore Hill.
Meanwhile, fishing enthusiasts have ample spots, including a pier and a breakwater.
The park also offers camping facilities with 98 RV and five tent-only pitches.
Scusset Beach is an enticing seaside haven catering to diverse interests.
Daily fee for residents and non-residents is charged.
8. Onset Beach
- Distance from Plymouth: 21 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, beachcombing, kayaking, paddleboarding
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, rentals, concessions
Renowned as one of Buzzards Bay’s prime coastal gems, Onset Beach in Wareham captivates with its sandy expanses and stunning scenery.
Enclosed within historic Onset Village, this beach is highly regarded by families, owing to its safeguarded waters and child-friendly activities.
Its strategic location, coupled with a kayak outfitter right at the beach, makes it a popular spot for enthralling paddling adventures around Onset Bay.
From clam digging to crab spotting, Onset Beach’s diverse shoreline teems with life, offering a fascinating exploration experience for children.
Bird watchers can revel in the changing avian populations, with species ranging from ducks to ospreys.
The beach offers ample parking and seasonal facilities like restrooms and showers.
Onset Beach’s allure lies in its effortless fusion of recreation and nature, making it a must-visit seaside retreat.
9. Old Silver Beach
- Distance from Plymouth: 30 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, beachcombing, kayaking, paddleboarding
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, rentals, concessions
Famous for its powdery sands and crystal-clear waters, Old Silver Beach in Falmouth is a quintessential summer hotspot loved by both locals and tourists.
Divided into two parts – one for Falmouth residents and the other for visitors – the beach offers ample parking, food options, and a bathhouse, making it perfect for an all-day family outing.
However, visitors are encouraged to arrive early to avoid summer crowds.
Its picturesque view encompasses sights stretching across the Bay to Marion, Mattapoisett, and West Island, with the distinctive Cleveland Ledge Lighthouse marking the horizon.
Packed with marine life, including barnacles and silvery fish, it’s a treasure for nature enthusiasts.
Also, the salt marsh along Herring Brook, close to the beach, offers a unique wildlife observation point.
The beach is well-equipped with seasonal facilities like restrooms, showers, and lifeguards, and is ADA accessible.
10. Nantasket Beach
- Distance from Plymouth: 31 miles
- Activities: swimming, sunbathing, fishing, picnics, beachcombing, surfing, bodyboarding, volleyball
- Facilities: restrooms, showers, parking, picnic tables, rentals, concessions, volleyball nets
Nestled on the Atlantic shoreline in Hull, Nantasket Beach promises a vibrant and fulfilling coastal retreat.
From swimming in the azure waves to biking and hiking along picturesque trails, this popular beach spot presents a range of exciting activities, including surfing that beaches around Plymouth lack.
But the fun doesn’t stop at water sports. The beach also houses athletic fields, setting the stage for lively volleyball games.
Comfort is prioritized, with facilities including a bathhouse, playground, and restrooms readily available to visitors.
Food lovers can delight in the local restaurants, while accommodation needs are met by nearby hotels.
Ample parking facilities make this New England beach destination easily accessible for all.
Operating from dawn to dusk, Nantasket Beach even hosts concerts and public dance lessons in summer, further enhancing its appeal as a perfect summer haven.
