The Atlantic coastline of Massachusetts can mean stumbling upon hidden stairways tucked between wild rose bushes and the grasses atop sand dunes, inspecting tiny hermit crabs out by the jetty, or flying kites on a breezy day. Farther out, lobster-pot buoys bob and a historic lighthouse stands guard. This being New England, ocean water hasn't quite warmed up by June, so if you find warmer water more inviting, wait until July and August to visit.
Focus on Cape Cod
- A peninsula shaped like a fish hook juts out into the Atlantic, with long stretches of uninterrupted beaches such as the Cape Cod National Seashore along the Cape's far end. A century-old canal anchors the Cape to the mainland via two busily trafficked routes over Bourne Bridge and Sagamore Bridge. A summer destination within a two-hour drive of Boston, there are plenty of saltwater beaches before you reach the largest one: Cape Cod National Seashore. All the way out to the end, the exposed land's end at Provincetown has the coldest water. The warmest water of the Cape's 40 public beaches are mid-Cape along Nantucket Sound.
Catch an Island Ferry
- From Wood's Hole and Hyannis on the Cape, ferry boats depart for Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, the two main islands off the Cape. Although Martha's Vineyard is 6 miles offshore and the former whaling town of Nantucket is 30 miles out, temperatures are moderate and the water is warmer than elsewhere on the mainland. On both islands, warmer protected beaches line the north shore, and Atlantic Ocean beaches line the south shore. For public access, try Aquinnet and South Beach/Katama on the Vineyard. On Nantucket, hit the ocean waves at Madaket, Tom Nevers, Nobadeer and Surfside. The islands have the warmest ocean beaches in the state.
Go Retro in Revere
- Along the Atlantic north of Boston and south of Cape Ann, the warmest ocean water often is at Revere Beach. Established in 1896, it's the nation's oldest public beach. Just 5 miles north of Boston, you can be at the ocean quickly and easily via the MBTA's Blue Line stop one block away. In mid-July, talented competitors from coast to coast draw admiring crowds for the weekend-long annual sandcastle-sculpting festival with a big money prize.
Nip Over to Nahant
- Drive 15 miles north of Boston to the small beach community of Nahant, connected to the mainland via a scenic causeway. Long Beach, off Nahant Road, has public access and is on the Atlantic Ocean. It's a perfect choice for unfolding your wooden deck chair to relax and watch kids playing with buckets and shovels at the water's edge. During low tide, the water is fairly shallow, the waves are gentle, there's room to spread out, and parking for 1,300 cars is cheap.
