Great beach! We love coming here for the soft sand and fun waves. During low tide there are tide pools and a river the kids can explore, plus an island you can reach via a sandbar. During high tide there's still plenty of beach. The parking is great - plentiful and stretches across the whole beach, making it easier to spread out and you never have to walk far. read more

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Good Harbor is still one of my all-time favorite New England beaches, but I haven't been going as often since they switched to the app-based reservation system and we moved further away. I understand why they did it, as it's one of the most popular beaches in the area and for good reason. Our recent visit was amazing. We arrived while the tide was low and crossed over to the island, and what an amazing view it was. It was fantastic, but don't stay too long or miss when the tide is coming back, or you might have a hard time getting back and get soaked. If you haven't visited, do yourself a favor and enjoy! read more

Beautiful beach, very clear water. Mostly clean there was only one group of people that had littered while there for a few hours, most respect the beach. read more

Good harbor beach is a beautiful beach located in north east Massachusetts near Gloucester. It's super busy in the summer, but there's always plenty of room on the beach for families. There's a shack right off the beach that sells snacks and seafood. The line at the shack is usually pretty long, wait it about 10-15 minutes on average. I love this beach because of how spacious it is and close it is to the city, compared to other beaches on the cape. Parking in the summer is $25 per day. Overall rating: 10/10 read more

Good Harbor Beach - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

I love this beach! I almost drowned here once! It was so fun! If I was choosing a place to drop a corpse here, it would be here! I love the service they provide too! I wish I worked here so at least I would be having fun working my minimum wage job as a housekeeper! Oh, and your nasty ass tourists don't clean up after yourselves. read more

Anyone coming to Gloucester or Rockport has to see this Beach!!! Just gorgeous and HUGEEE- don't miss it!! read more

Good Harbor Beach - Pet friendly winter schedule too!! - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Good harbor beach might be Massachusetts best kept secret. This is the best beach I have found thus far. The parking is $35, a bit more expensive than other beaches but worth it in my opinion! Make sure you get there early because the lot fills up quickly. The nice part about the lot filling up, is that it keeps the beach from becoming overcrowded. The sand is soft and the water is clear! There are pretty houses along the coast that make the view very scenic. I also liked that there were food options and restrooms available. Overall I had a fantastic time and think this would be worthwhile for a day trip to the beach! read more

Good Harbor Beach - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Did I just find the best beach in Mass? I think yes! Good Harbor has it all. From soft sand to clear waters and rolling waves. I will 100% be back and back again. This beach is about 45 minutes from Boston, so really a quick drive in comparison to going to the Cape for the day. They had a "Beach Pit" food counter with so many options and a good size parking lot. The one caveat with all the COVID restrictions is trying to get into the beach especially as a non-resident. I would bank on getting here before 8 am. They open the lot at 8 am so you need to be in line before or you risk them running out of space the lot becoming full. We had two cars worth of people come to the beach and we left Boston at 7 am and were able to make it in without any problems. Navigating this was a little tricky with so many people but it ended up being a total success. read more

Good Harbor Beach - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Sort of a nice beach but $30 damn dollars for weekend parking and $25 on weekdays??!! That's worse than parking in Boston for a Red So game! That's kind of ridiculous. Not bad for a family who will stay there all day ... But if you want to spend a couple hours at a beach in Gloucester, you'll need a resident parking permit at the smaller, rocky beaches or pay a third of $100 to park at the larger beaches. And despite the town website saying it's a 'white sand' beach, it looks pretty brown/muddy when the tide goes out. For some reason the beach almost looks like a lake beach vs. an ocean beach. This def. isn't picturesque like Cape Cod National Seashore, although you pay more to park here. The coolest part of the beach is that when the tide is right, you can walk across to a rocky island. Not quite sure what goes on at the island ... Looks like mostly kids climbing on the rocks but it's interesting you can just walk through ankle deep water to get there. The crowd was fairly upscale. Lots of yuppie families ... It wasn't packed with loud teenagers drinking or riff raff blaring music from speakers. Sort of a small beach though ... You can walk from one end to the next easily. Definitely not the nicest or most picturesque beach I've been to and for $30 ... what a rip off! I can't imagine it would be good for anyone other than families who want to walk over to the 'island' or lay on the beach all day. read more

Good Harbor Beach - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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I'll give the beach a 5 star rating but what I don't like is there are no prices listed at the concession stand, and it's not cheap.

It was my pleasure to visit Gloucester again recently and I enjoyed the beautiful story book town and all the friendly people I met. This beach is serene and beautiful with so many kind and warmhearted people. I never ran out of people to talk to and look forward to visiting again. read more

Good Harbor Beach - Says it all. - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

One of my favorite beaches. Love the waves for Boogie-boarding, the soft sands and also taking a walk out to the island at low tide. Very busy on Summer weekends, but always worth the trip! read more

Beautiful beach. Like every other reviewer says: get here early! If you do, you may even be able to find FREE parking in the area like we did and easily walk to the beach in less than 10 minutes. Unfortunately, those are top secret, so happy hunting ;). Sand/water was clear of trash, seaweed (mostly) and rocks. I will say there is a great lack of trash cans on the beach in general. Bring a trash bag. Only one dumpster by the restrooms where lines were surprisingly short. The tide comes in quick. Sand fleas were aplenty. Without a steady wind, those little bugs would be too much. PS: water is too cold to go past ankle deep in early June. I half-expected to see an iceberg drift by read more

Good Harbor Beach - Left side of beach from right end. 9am. Early June. 90 degree day. Got MUCH busier later - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Really pretty beach. Parking is close to the beach and it was a short walk compared to other beaches. read more

Good Harbor Beach - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

My favorite beach in Gloucester is Wingaersheek, but Good Harbor is a close second. I stayed across the street on Naultilus Rd. (Blue Shutters Inn-fantastic!) recently and learned a few tips I'll pass on to you. You're welcome. 1. The far right side of the beach (alongside Nautilus Rd. by the footbridge) is a lot less crowded than the part of the beach in front of the main beach parking lot/snack stand. 2. You can avoid paying the parking fee if you have someone drop you off/pick you up on Nautilus Rd. A ton of people were doing it. No parking, but cops let you "stand" as long as you want as long as there is one person in the car. I even saw a few people take cabs to the beach. 3. To avoid paying steep snack stand prices and waiting in line, bring food or better yet order pizza to be delivered to the footbridge. I saw a few people doing that, it was pretty funny. 4. High tide is an awesome tide for older kids and adults to float up/down the estuary (people call it the creek) the flows under the footbridge. (Take a right down the beach after you go down the boardwalk from the main parking lot or take a path to the right of the parking lot or just enter on Naultilus Rd.) Use a boogie board and you can float down like it's a river. Pretty cool. For little kids, avoid that area during high tide because there's a steep drop off- go to the ocean instead. During low tide it's a little kid's playground because it's shallow, warmer than the ocean, and perfect for digging/finding crabs/etc. 5. Don't leave your food uncovered while you walk away you idiot. The seagulls are crazy. I saw one dig an unopened lunchable out of a women's tote bag, fly 100 yards with it, and start to bury it in the sand. Yeah. 6. If you go to any Gloucester beach during high season (late June til end of Aug.) try to go on a weekday if you can. It's a lot less crowded and you don't have to get there before 9am to get a parking spot. But avoid the right side of the beach from 6-8am because that's when the crazy bootcampers exercise. There's a lot of yelling. read more

Great beach! $25 to park is steep, but for that you get: -beautiful, clean beach that is quite large -- even on a busy weekend day it felt busy, but not crowded -a cove that facilitates gentle waves -- enough that it's for more than kids/babies, but not so strong that you have to get paranoid about getting knocked down. (also good for body boarding or boogie boarding.) -access to bathrooms and outside shower (aka hose-down) area -access to a fairly substantial beach-side food stand that has salads and veggie burgers in addition to the standard fried fare -at popular times, italian ice carts on the beach Other notes: -bring your own food and drink if you can -- lines get long around lunch time. -alcohol is not allowed. That said, I saw several people with alcohol who were hardly subtle about it (beer in kozies, cans tied up in clear plastic bags, etc). -I got there at 9:45 am on a weekend day in June and the parking lot wasn't full, but it was getting there. -you can walk to the island at low tide -- fun for teens who get sick of their families! -the sand can get HOT. bring flip flops or something to walk on the beach -dig that umbrella in deeper than you think you need to Definitely looking forward to going back! ps. Love that another reviewer complained that the water was cold... welcome to New England, baby! ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE. read more

What a great find! Gorgeous eye candy beach with beautiful views of the rocks and ships, nice sized waves, little inlet of water to walk along, clean, just very pleasant. read more

My first time at Good Harbor and what a beautiful beach it is! It is like no other in New England! We arrived at 9 am had plenty of parking which is $30.00 and quickly found my beach spot. It is like something out of a magazine. They have a sand dune going right to the private island and to the right of the beach they have some sort of lagoon. They have bathrooms and a concession stand. I can't wait to go back to this Paradise of a beach! read more

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One of the most gorgeous beaches on the North Shore. Arrive by 10 AM on a gorgeous summer weekend otherwise you will wait to park. They have food available and assorted beach items you might have forgotten for purchase. Parking is $30 on the weekends but it's worth it since the beach is so clean and picturesque. Don't bother trying to park elsewhere since you will be towed. I was impressed with how clean the bathroom was too. Watch out for the seagulls, they will take food right out of your hands and will ravage your open snack bags if left unattended. read more

Driving 2hr to get there on weekend they say parking lot only for resident which is a bumper. There's no place to park at all for non-resident. read more

good beach!! nice waves like the waves are big so its fun!!! the sand is soft and basically the beach is clean!! not much seaweed in the waters too!! its kinda cold but its like managable if yoy stay in the water for long. there is ample parking and you dont have to be a resident!! it costs $35 to park so go with a lot of ppl lol!! there are bathrooms which arent the cleanest but you can change there and a shop where you can buy those boards. not far from boston!!! lots of ppl that dont wear masks tho so get ur vaccine read more

Good Harbor Beach - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

A day trip to Gloucester isn't complete until you have taken the time to dip your toes in the water before laying out in the sun. If this sounds appealing, then Good Harbor Beach is the place to do it. This beach has a gorgeous shoreline and the vibe here is cool and relaxed. We ended up walking the beach for a while and enjoyed watching the dogs run about since it was still off season. The next time we stop at this beach it will have to be in the heat of summer so that we can fully appreciate this special place. read more

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This beach is about 1/2 mile long and often gets very crowded on the weekends - and the parking on the weekends is outrageous! BUT, if you hit it up on a weeknight or late in the evening this beach is the best around. After 5 the parking is free. The sand is not so hot that you can hardly walk on it, the tide goes out so the waves hit a natural shelf (on part of the beach) so they're a good size for surfing, kayaking, etc. Dogs are allowed after hours and there are often people playing volleyball, Frisbee, etc. The sunsets here are beautiful... setting over sand dunes. So - if you hit it at the right time it's awesome. read more

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Beautiful beach. I grew up near here and love it year round--during the off season you can walk your dog (beware--it's like odd days are fine and even days aren't? Something like that.), during the summer it's crazy crowded, but the waves are fun if you can stand the chilly water. There are dunes to admire, a flat beach (which means at high tide the beach can get shallow, depending on how the winter storms treated the beach), there's a little estuary that runs under the bridge and goes into the wetland that's fun for kids to play in. If you're interested in surfing this is the spot to test it out. Surfari teaches early morning lessons before the beach opens up. Book in advance. Or just bring boogie boards and have fun in the surf. The side by the bridge is where the bigger waves are. It's trash in, trash out, so be prepared for that. There's a snack bar, locker room, and there are showers to rinse off before piling back in your car. Parking is $25/car, but if you pile in it's well worth it. And there are lifeguards. Get there early on popular days--the lot fills up and locals with their stickers take up a lot of spots. read more

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Alright, it's $25 to park. So just carpool and split the cost with friends. It's worth it. Good Harbor is that immaculately clean, soft, sandy, deep and dune-backed beach you dream about in February when you wonder if beach season will ever come again. The waves are good for beginner surfing but gentle enough to make this a good option for younger beach-lovers. And yeah, it's cold, but this is the North Atlantic, yo! I managed to go for a dip on a not-that-hot day in mid-June, and you should, too. Good Harbor is hugged on both sides by rocky coastal escarpments and the picturesque buildings that sit atop them. There's a (pricey) snack bar for your satiation needs, and the bathrooms aren't...glamorous (see my review for Singing Beach) but perfectly clean. Not particularly transit-accessible via the MBTA, though if you're willing to utilize the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, there's service Monday through Friday and limited service on Saturdays. read more

Good Harbor Beach - Good Hahbah in June. Instagrammed just a wee bit. - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Very clean beach with an iconic house perched up along the rock face. Ive been coming to this beach for years but you have to get there early. It can get crowded during the dog days of summer when the humidity is high. The white sands and gentle waves makes up for that. The parking lot is about $25 on weekdays and $30 on weekends. read more

Good Harbor Beach - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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I really love this beach. Its ever better when we come on a weekday because there aren't too many people here. There is plenty of sand and its spacious. You can spead out and not be crowded by others (although there's always that one family that wants to sit on top of you.) The surrounding views are gorgeous and remind me somewhat of Cape Cod. Its such a peaceful beach. I love it so much I'm going to marry it. read more

Beach is great for everyone! White, soft, clean sand. The water is clean and have and some strong awesome waves... Bring boogie boards and have fun in the surf. The side by the bridge is where the bigger waves are or If you're interested in surfing this is the spot to test it out. There's a snack bar and they have pizza burgers drinks etc. There are locker room, and there are showers to rinse off. It's trash in, trash out, so be prepared for that. Parking is $20/car on popular days--the lot fills up and there are lifeguards. read more

Good Harbor Beach - Beaches Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Best waves crashing on the shore I have seen so far in Massachussets. Very calming & peaceful. Not a lot to do but that's what I was looking for. With the high tide there are not too many empty spots for sun bathing. In the evening with a low tide, it's great for dog walking/running. read more

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Super clean, gorgeous beach. Lots of tide pools for kids to play in. Not too crowded. I can't wait to return!

I mean, this is the kind of beach you paint. This is a beach you propose on. Where you have a wedding. The sunsets are insanity. Enjoy & take your trash with you. read more

This is my favorite beach in MA!!! I have never been disappointed coming here... except the one time I came early in the season on a semi cool day. The water runs cold, so you have to come on a blazing hot day, unless you like your bones chilled! White, soft, clean sand and some strong awesome waves... CLEAN WATER! You can see the floor, no pools of nasty seaweed... Parking is $25 so go with friends and split the cost. You will have a great time! read more

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Consistently voted one of the best beaches in New England. Truly the softest sand of any beach I've been to, very popular and extremely busy. Popular surf spot on the southern end, nice break and great surf when the conditions are right. Carry in carry out policy, please clean up your trash and help keep this beach clean. read more

The $35 fee for parking definitely stings, but this is a beautiful beach. The sand is pristine and the water is crystal clear. All the things that normally blight New England beaches (rocks, seaweed, horseflies, etc.) are totally absent. There's a small island off the coast that you can wade to during low tide. I will definitely come back--as long as I can gather together some friends to split the parking fee with! read more

It's wonderful beach with great sand and beautiful views! When tide goes out, you can even walk out to Salt Island. Just watch the gulls- they will aggressively pick through your things if not attended read more

My review is from a visit a few years ago but still deserves a shout out. Great little beach. Clean and has a snack bar. Being from NY State I had to pay to park - think it was $20 or $25. People are friendly. This area is great parents of young children. Very simple and didn't have to compete with crowds. :) read more

Another beautiful New England beach. I came here on a whim and smack in the middle of winter and no one was around. This made it that much more pleasant. It is very picturesque and I bet it is bustling during the summer. They do have a huge parking lot but like any beach in the area, I am sure it fills up quite fast! read more

I went to this beach based on rave reviews; however I was somewhat disappointed. It's best for families with very young children since there are very few waves and the few waves that exist are very gentle, that is, if you can stand the water temperature. It is painfully numbing cold!! Looks pretty, but very few can withstand the freezing cold temperature, even in August. And you don't hear the ocean like you'd expect due to the lack of waves. Good for conversations i suppose. It was very windy with umbrellas blowing everywhere and hitting people. The seagulls are more aggressive than any I've seen. Packs of them would land on bags and just attack. They'd grab sandwiches right out of peoples hands. The water is clear, except when the tide drags seaweed in, but not bad compared to other beaches. The beach is very clean too with classy people, probably due to the cost of parking: $30 cash only. We felt very safe there. I read that you had to get there by 9 or there would be no parking. Not true. At 8:30am on a Sunday morning, it was wide open. By 10 it was pretty full though. It's a big beach compared to small town local beaches, but very small compared to Scarborough beaches in RI. There is one building with bathrooms and outdoor showers, as well as windows to buy basic food. I was waiting in line for the bathroom for quite some time when 2 teens cut the line and said they had to shut down the bathroom for 2 minutes. It would have been considerate to at least let the people already waiting in line use the facility. I ended up having to use the port-a-potty. There are lifeguards during regular beach hours. The sign at the entrance is small, so be on the lookout for it. read more

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I belong in the Caribbean, but I've learned to settle for New England beaches. I've been coming to Good Harbor Beach since I was a little kid and it has not lost any of its appeal (as things tend to do after the age of 12 and you realize your favorite boardgame is actually really boring, or that really cool slide at the park is kind of grimy and not all that fun, especially when you try sliding down on a hot day in short shorts. ow.) Good Harbor has a pretty decent parking lot. It costs $25 for the day on weekends. Not awesome, but not terrible if you go with a few friends and split the cost. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also park on a side street and walk 5-10 minutes into the beach. It's free, but it means you have to carry all your stuff a little ways and there's no sidewalk to speak of. So youre walking on a road with mean shrubbery on one side and angry drivers on the other. The food stand at the beach is great: grilled cheese, french fries, chicken tenders, watermelon cups, etc. Not ridiculously expensive. The bathrooms are kept pretty clean and there are some freezing showers to hop into before you head back to your car. The beach itself is clean and well-kept. There's a couple of volleyball nets set up. There are a few lifeguards around. There's an island you can walk/swim to at low tide (I'm yet to try this as I have a phobia of getting stranded out there should the tide suddenly change). The ocean is cold, per usual, but its clean and there's usually some good waves. read more

I generally don't go to the beach, unless it is with my dogs. Therefore, I went to Good Harbor a total of 1 time between May 1 and September 15. Since September 15, I've been going often. My dogs like to chase the waves and bite at the ocean. I like the quiet. What annoys me is the people that cannot control their dogs, yet still let them off-leash. I do not mind dogs running around free, given they are well trained. Why would you let your dog run around when they are not trained? If your dog is not fixed and enjoys lifting his or her leg on something, or in my case, someone, don't let them be unleashed. It's disrespectful, and gives the responsible dog owners a bad name. Once, my beach chair got peed on. Second time, I had a dog attempt to pee on me. Third time, I had a dog pee on my Coach purse. No apologies. "Oh he usually doesn't do that." That's not an apology. Anyway, Good Harbor is fine, except the shitty owners that can't control their dogs. They should be banned from the beach, not the well-behaved pups. read more