The 7 Best Beaches in Boston

A South Boston peninsula with a real 19th-century fort (Fort Independence), a flat waterfront loop walk around Pleasure Bay, a small beach, and Sullivan's for hot dogs and fried clams. Free, beloved by locals, and off most tourist radars. Best by car or bus.

America's first public beach, Revere Beach is a wide, mile-long stretch of sand just a short Blue Line ride from downtown Boston. It's best known for its summer sandcastle festival and the beloved Kelly's Roast Beef stand nearby. The water can be chilly and the beach gets extremely crowded on hot summer weekends, so aim for weekday mornings.

Nantasket Beach is a stunning four-mile stretch of open Atlantic coastline in Hull, widely considered the best full beach experience within reach of Boston. It has real waves, a classic seaside strip with food shacks and an amusement park remnant, and a ferry connection from Long Wharf that makes for a scenic summer excursion. The ferry runs seasonally and the drive can be slow on summer weekends, so plan accordingly.

Constitution Beach is a hidden gem in East Boston/Winthrop with calm, protected water ideal for families with young children, plus a lifeguarded swimming area and a lovely grassy picnic area. The beach sits directly under the Logan Airport flight path, which creates a unique and surprisingly thrilling atmosphere as planes pass low overhead. It's reachable by Blue Line to Orient Heights plus a short bus or bike ride.

Carson Beach is a well-maintained urban beach along the South Boston waterfront, part of the Boston Harbor Islands State Park system. It offers calm, relatively clean harbor water, a paved walking path, and stunning views of the Boston skyline. Parking is available but fills quickly on summer weekends, and the water quality has improved dramatically thanks to decades of harbor cleanup.

Nahant Beach is a beautiful barrier beach connecting the small peninsula town of Nahant to Lynn, offering open Atlantic surf and a wilder feel than the calmer harbor beaches closer to Boston. The beach is wide and sandy with strong waves that attract bodyboarders and casual surfers. Getting there requires a car or a bus connection, and parking fills up fast on summer weekends.

Wollaston Beach is one of the longest public beaches in the Boston metro area, stretching nearly two miles along Quincy Bay with easy Red Line access at Wollaston station. The beach has a relaxed, neighborhood feel with a dedicated bike path and great views of the Boston Harbor Islands. It can get weedy at low tide and the water is best for wading rather than serious swimming.