Do you have an eye for the smooth edges of tide-worn stones, the bright flash of sea glass, or the delicate whorls of shells? The coasts of Buzzards Bay offer a banquet for the beachcomber! Its exposed ocean beaches and protected coves pull in everything from local favorites — like moon snail shells, scallops, and mermaid’s purses — to more exciting finds like antique pottery, bright starfish, and even the occasional “washashore” carried by the Gulf Stream from the tropics. Best of all, beachcombing is a four-season sport on the Bay, with winter storms often bringing some of the best finds up onshore.
Local history and natural beauty come together on Barges Beach, a one-of-a-kind barrier beach on the east end of Cuttyhunk Island.
Size: 24 acres
Parking: None
Facilities: None
Parking: None
Facilities: None
Have an island adventure on the pristine beaches and shallow waters of Bourne's Bassetts Island.
Parking: None
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch (shoreline), Picnic Tables
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch (shoreline), Picnic Tables
Escape the summer crowds at Falmouth's Black Beach or with a paddle through Great Sippewissett Marsh.
Size: 190 acres
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area at Chapoquoit Beach; resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: None; Restrooms, Trash, Shower at Chapoquoit Beach (seasonal)
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking area at Chapoquoit Beach; resident beach sticker required to park in summer
Facilities: None; Restrooms, Trash, Shower at Chapoquoit Beach (seasonal)
Take a peaceful picnic or stretch your legs with a picturesque walk on Bull Island, nestled inside Naushon’s Hadley Harbor.
Parking: None
Facilities: Dock (floating)
Facilities: Dock (floating)
Sample the diversity of Martha’s Vineyard habitats with a visit to Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary.
Size: 400 acres
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable toilet
Parking: Medium-sized unpaved parking area
Facilities: Portable toilet
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)
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
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
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
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)
A stellar spot to spend a summer day, splashing in the cove’s warm waters or watching sailboats breeze by.
Size: .3 acres
Parking: 2-3 small pull-offs on the east side of Circuit Avenue
Facilities: None
Parking: 2-3 small pull-offs on the east side of Circuit Avenue
Facilities: None
Swim, soak up the sun, cast out a fishing line, or take a long walk along the rock-scattered shore at this Little Compton beach.
Size: 9.6 acres
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Kayak launch (shoreline), RV camping with town permit
Parking: Large unpaved parking lot
Facilities: Restrooms (seasonal), Kayak launch (shoreline), RV camping with town permit
Swim, kayak, snorkel, and beachcomb while enjoying a sweeping lighthouse view Tarpaulin Cove Beach, a public beach on private Naushon Island.
Facilities: None
Explore the remnants of a 19th century industrial site perched on the rocky shores of Vineyard Sound.
Size: 20 acres
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking ara
Facilities: Portable toilets
Parking: Medium-sized, unpaved parking ara
Facilities: Portable toilets
Discover island adventures on the untamed shores of the Weepecket Islands, a small island chain north of Naushon.
Parking: None
Facilities: Kayak launch (shoreline)
Facilities: Kayak launch (shoreline)
Enjoy unrivaled seclusion on sandy shores along a wildlife-rich salt marsh at West Beach, a public beach on private Naushon Island.
Facilities: None
Boat out to this tree-covered island in Onset Bay to enjoy a day of swimming, shellfishing, and beachcombing, ending with one of the best sunsets around.
Size: 4.4 acres
Parking: None
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch (Shoreline), Pier/Dock (Stone)
Parking: None
Facilities: Canoe/Kayak Launch (Shoreline), Pier/Dock (Stone)
