East Beach (New Bedford)
A wide, sandy beach on the western shore of New Bedford Harbor, East Beach is a summertime destination for city families. Swim and beachcomb along the shore while you enjoy views of ships and sailboats on Buzzards Bay. A bike path runs past the beach, offering a gateway to scenic waterfront spots up and down the harbor.
Features
Even in winter, East Beach is a great destination for kids to get outside and discover signs of life in Buzzards Bay.
The best part about East Beach in New Bedford is the view: from these sandy shores, take in sights of Butler Flats Lighthouse and fishing boats traveling in and out of the harbor. The fishing pier at East Beach is also popular spot, though anglers should only practice catch-and-release fishing here.
There’s much more to explore around East Beach, too. Bring a bike and ride along the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail, which traces the tip of Clark’s Point on Rodney French Boulevard. The ride around the peninsula to West Beach is only a few miles, but includes gorgeous views from Fort Taber Park and the New Bedford Harbor Walk.
Habitats & Wildlife
Observant visitors to East Beach can read the story of the sea by looking for shells that have reached the shore on the waves. Colorful mermaid’s toenails, clams, oysters, whelks, and slipper shells are often found here by curious explorers – a sign of the wealth of shellfish life in Buzzards Bay. Seagulls share the sky with terns and ospreys in summer. In the winter months, look out on the water for brant geese, a species of migratory waterfowl that visits from the north.
