With its clear, cool waters, Buzzards Bay is a swimmer’s dream. From salty waves to calm, sheltered coves, you can find a swimming spot that you’ll love. Practice your stroke for the Buzzards Bay Swim, or wade into the water at a sandy beach with your kids. No matter your swimming ability, you can make a splash here on Buzzards Bay!
Explore nature, history, and spectacular coastal beauty along the rugged shores of Gooseberry Island in Westport.
Size: 73 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot (vehicles and trailers)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal)
Escape the crowds for windswept dunes and crashing waves at Little Compton's Goosewing Beach Preserve.
Size: 75 acres
Parking: Large paved lot at South Shore Beach; fee to park, Memorial Day – Labor Day
Facilities: Learning Center (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved lot at South Shore Beach; fee to park, Memorial Day – Labor Day
Facilities: Learning Center (seasonal)
This sandy beach in Bourne is a local favorite thanks to its cozy neighborhood vibe and fascinating views of Cape Cod Canal.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking lot
Facilities: Trash
Facilities: Trash
Great Rock Bight Preserve offers a secluded beach great swimming, sunbathing, surfcasting and sunsets, plus other habitat treasures.
Size: 28.5 acres
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking area
Facilities: None
Discover Plymouth’s peaceful ponds and woodlands by foot or canoe at Halfway Pond Conservation Area.
Size: 409.6 acres
Parking: Small unpaved parking areas on Mast Road and at the intersection of Gallows Pond Road and West Long Point Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
Parking: Small unpaved parking areas on Mast Road and at the intersection of Gallows Pond Road and West Long Point Road
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch
With calm waters and a roped-off swimming area, Hen Cove Beach in Bourne is perfect for families with small children.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area
Facilities: Trash
Facilities: Trash
In summer, Hiller's Cove Beach is a favorite destination for Mattapoisett families to splash in warm, calm waters.
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area; parking pass required in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Restrooms
Facilities: Restrooms
With two miles of sand and surf, the 600-acre Horseneck Beach State Reservation is a recreational paradise in Westport.
Size: 600 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables
Parking: Large paved parking lots
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Showers (seasonal), Picnic Tables
Discover Massachusetts' maritime history at Westport's Horseneck Point Life-Saving Station, one of the last of its kind in the state.
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking lot across East Beach Rd.
Facilities: Learning Center, Restrooms (seasonal)
Facilities: Learning Center, Restrooms (seasonal)
Cool off at Falmouth’s Ice House Pond, a 7-acre kettle pond that's open for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and ice skating.
Size: 7 acres
Parking: Small paved parking area
Facilities: Canoe Launch
Parking: Small paved parking area
Facilities: Canoe Launch
Local residents can come to Jones Beach in Dartmouth enjoy the calm waters of Clarks Cove and fresh air off Buzzards Bay.
Size: 2 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Large paved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Picnic Tables, Playground
This pristine crescent of sand is a peaceful place for boaters to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and beachcombing on private Naushon Island.
Facilities: None
Escape the bustle of summer crowds on the quiet shores of Knowles Beach in Dartmouth.
Parking: Unpaved roadside parking along Smith Neck Road (space for 6-7 cars)
Facilities: None
Facilities: None
The sandy shores and gentle waves at Little Harbor Beach in Wareham are a wonderful way to enjoy life by the Bay.
Size: 22 acres
Parking: Large paved parking lot; resident parking sticker required
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking lot; resident parking sticker required
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal)
This diverse paradise of woods, wetlands, and salt marshes in Plymouth shelters rare sea-run brook trout in Red Brook.
Size: 210 acres
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Trash
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking area
Facilities: Picnic Tables, Trash
In the heart of this quiet waterfront village, Mattapoisett Town Beach offers sandy shores and picturesque harbor views.
Size: 1.9 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; fee to park in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Shower, Picnic Tables, Playground
Parking: Large unpaved parking area; fee to park in summer (first week of July through last week of August)
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Shower, Picnic Tables, Playground
With its wide expanse of sand, Megansett Beach is a great spot for Falmouth residents to sit and watch sailboats on the harbor.
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area; resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Pier (wood), Restrooms (seasonal), Trash
Hike through Martha's Vineyard's diverse habitats and take in stunning views of Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands at this large Chilmark preserve.
Size: 211 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable Toilets (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable Toilets (seasonal)
For a full day of swimming, boating, and playing by the Bay, look no further than Monument Beach in Bourne.
Parking: Large paved parking area
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Food/Concession (seasonal)
Facilities: Boat Ramp, Kayak Launch, Restrooms (seasonal), Trash, Food/Concession (seasonal)
Find a perfect summer beach day or ample year-round exploration on this secluded coast beneath Martha's Vineyard's Gay Head Cliffs.
Size: 17 acres
Parking: Large paved parking area on Aquinnah Circle
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Benches, Restrooms (seasonal)
Parking: Large paved parking area on Aquinnah Circle
Facilities: Bicycle Rack, Benches, Restrooms (seasonal)