Cape Cod beach makes Condé Nast list of best Mass. beaches to visit this summer. List.

Summertime means beach time.

Massachusetts has 15 state-owned saltwater beaches bordering the ocean and over 50 freshwater beaches, according to Visit New England. Cape Cod alone has over 100 beaches managed by either the individual towns or the National Park Service. With so many options, how can one person be expected to figure out which ones to visit?

Condé Nast Traveler has created a list of the top seven most enjoyable Massachusetts beaches to visit. The famed publication chose beaches relatively close to Boston.

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Here are the beaches near Boston Condé Nastsaid are worth visiting.

Race Point Beach in Provincetown

PROVINCETOWN--(10/24/09) Race Point Beach at sunset.

Condé Nastsaid that this Provincetown beach is one of the best to visit near Boston because of the elegant displays of nature that are on offer when you walk the shore of Race Point Beach. At the tip of the Cape, it is a bit of a drive to get out to Race Point Beach from Boston. There are also ferries from Boston to Provincetown.

Here's what Condé Nastsaid about it: "From the wharf, it’s a quick three-mile cab or bike ride north to Race Point Beach, and if you make the journey you’ll be rewarded with one of the most secluded, serene, unsoiled beaches in the Northeast. At certain times of year, it’s even possible to witness humpback whales swimming by from the comfort of your towel on the sand. Back in P-Town, spend some time perusing the bars and shops of Commercial Street before catching the ferry back to Boston—this is one of the most energetic and welcoming waterfront communities in all of New England."

Cape Cod Beach Guide 2025: Over 100 beaches from Bourne to Provincetown

Crane Beach in Ipswich

Crane Beach is a popular summer destination in Ipswich.

Condé Nastsaid that Crane Beach, in the coastal town of Ipswich, Massachusetts, is one of the best beaches near Boston because of its sheer beauty.

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Here's what Condé Nastsaid about it: "Stretched over four miles of pristine sand, this beach features miles of trails, as well as one of the largest remaining pitch pine forests on the North Shore. If you really want the full experience, book a tour of the adjacentCastle Hill on the Crane Estate,a Gilded Age mansion often used as a film set. Driving here can be a bit of a hassle—there’s a cut-throat car parking permit release system that’s almost not worth getting into here—but the good news is that the Cape Ann Transportation Authority operates an easy-to-navigate shuttle system that brings you right from Ipswich’s Commuter Rail station to the Crane Beach entrance, making for a seamless journey straight from Boston’s North Station."

Condé Nastalso said that Crane Beach is where the Cher classic "Witches of Eastwick" was filmed.

Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester

Finley has a blast at Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester

Condé Nastsaid that Wingaersheek Beach is one of the best beaches to visit in the area because it's just so much fun to traverse as a beachgoer.

Here's what Condé Nastsaid about it: "There are sandbars and tidal pools, endless opportunities for exploration, and the gentle waters and soft white sands here are suitable for little ones. In the summer months, Wingaersheek is staffed with a lifeguard, a concession stand with snacks, and restrooms. If you’re arriving by car, just note that you’ll need to reserve anon-resident beach parking passin advance."

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One should note that the Gloucester website said that dogs are prohibited from May 1 to Sept. 30. Unleashed dogs are allowed on Wingaersheek Beach from Oct. 1 to April 30 but only on odd-numbered days.

Revere Beach in Revere

View the sand sculptures at Revere Beach.

Condé Nastsaid that this is one of the best beaches near Boston to visit because of its historical significance as the first public beach in the country.

Here's what Condé Nastsaid about it: "Since a rail station opened there in 1875, Bostonians have been making the five-mile journey north to beat the heat at this impressively wide beach. Today, it’s still easily accessed via a quick ride on the Blue Line."

Duxbury Beach in Duxbury

A rainbow stretches down over Duxbury Beach where the roses are in bloom along the dunes.

Condé Nastpicked Duxbury as one of the best Greater-Boston-area beaches to visit because it of its simple, sandy beauty and all the coastal conveniences nearby.

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Here's what Condé Nastsaid about it: "The scenery is stunning, the sunsets unforgettable, and the geography is reminiscent of Cape Cod, but all in all, it’s much more doable as a day trip from Boston. While locals and season pass holders can enjoy driving on to the dunes all the way to the peninsula’s end, there is a small parking lot where out-of-towners can pay to park per day."

Carson Beach in South Boston

June 19, 2024: People take refuge at Carson beach from the blazing sun during a heatwave in Boston, Massachusetts. Extreme heat and high humidity smothered the central and northeastern US, with temperature records expected to melt away in the coming days, authorities warned. Forecasters predicted temperatures could hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 Celsius) in parts of New England by June 20.

Condé Nastsaid that this South Boston beach is the perfect way to spend a lovely summer day with the family without going outside of the city.

Here's what Condé Nastsaid about it: "On a hot summer day, neighboring M Street Beach fills with young people in search of a party scene, but Carson Beach always has a bit more of a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can walk from here to the far east end of Southie, where you’ll find Sullivan’s Castle Island (“Sully’s”), a seafood restaurant dating back to 1951 which just took home a 2025 James Beard America’s Classics Award."

Plum Island in Newburyport

Condé Nastchose Newburyport's Plum Island as one of the best towns to visit because of its great food scene, specifically recommending Bar 25 for its Middle Eastern fare, located at 38 State St.

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Here's what Condé Nastsaid about it: "Named for the wild beach plums which grow in its dunes, Plum Island is a an eleven-mile barrier island accessed via bridge through Newburyport, one hour north of Boston. There is an abundance of sandy beachfront here if you’re looking to just plop down and soak up the sun; but Plum Island is also home to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, a 4,662-acre sanctuary criss-crossed by an excellent network of hiking trails. Venture all the way to the southern tip of the island and you’ll reach Sandy Point State Reservation, a particularly scenic area."

Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: These 7 MA beaches were called best to visit this summer. Here's why