Essex County Hidden Gems – Plum Cove Beach
Plum Cove Beach – A Closer Look At This Gloucester Hidden Gem
If you polled visitors to the Cape Ann area on their favorite beaches you would likely see the bulk of the votes go to a select few, well-known, coastal enclaves.
Some of the usual suspects would surely include Good Harbor & Wingaersheek in Gloucester, Crane’s Beach in Ipswich, and maybe Singing Beach in Manchester. These are some of our favorite beaches on Cape Ann but there are so many other fantastic, smaller beaches to explore.
Today we will take a closer look at the Essex County Hidden Gem: Plum Cove Beach.
Just around the bend from Rockport on 127, past Halibut Point, you will find the Lanesville neighborhood of Gloucester. Lanesville is a close-knit community with only a few hundred residents and is home to the pretty little slice of coastal heaven known as Plum Cove beach.
Plum Cove beach is very well protected by bluffs on both sides keeping the water nice and calm. As you set foot on the beach you will find some soft sand at the top of the beach as well as some water worn pebbles as you get closer to the water.
If you plan on doing some exploring we’d recommend a pair of water shoes or some rugged, adventure-worn, hobbit feet!
There are no vendors or changing rooms or places to get a quick snack so come prepared. It’s just a no frills intimate little cove that is a fantastic place to relax for a few hours.
The calm waters offer a safe space for children to swim, without having to worry about the waves that can sometimes kick up a little bit a Good Harbor or Long Beach. In the summer months there is a lifeguard on duty, from 9am – 5pm, to provide some additional peace of mind.
The beach is also quite small which makes it easy to keep an eye on the little ones.
For those who like to explore at the beach, the cove is teeming with sea life like little hermit crabs and it has some nice rocks for climbing.
Parking at Plum Cove can be a challenge. There are a few spots available for those with beach stickers, so you will have to get creative!
If you are staying at the Addison Choate, in Rockport, you could always take one of our rental bikes over to the beach
It’s a great little ride and good place to stop off for a dip after hiking Halibut Point, which is just around the corner.
It’s no secret that the light on Cape Ann is special. It has drawn painters, photographers and artists to the area for many years. If you are looking to capture a beautiful sunset, there are no shortages of incredible locations to choose from. But we’d submit that one that is worth considering is Plum Cove Beach.
With beautiful framing from the bluffs and trees and an incredible view out to Ipswich Bay, this little inlet will inspire you to break out our Nikon, Canon or perhaps your Google Pixel to memorialize the occasion.
After a few hours in the summer sun you will likely be in need of some proper refreshments. Not to worry there are some great dining options nearby.
If you are looking to cap off your day at the beach with a seafood fix, look no further than the Lobster Pool.
About 1.5 miles up the road in Rockport you can get a delicious lobster roll, fried clams, and clam chowder and sit out back and enjoy a world class sunset.
The Lobster Pool is BYOB, so thirsty travelers would be wise to pop into the Lanesville Package store for all of their libation needs.
If you’re looking for cuisine that is a little more adventurous and refined, you may consider Talise, a beautiful independent restaurant right on Lobster Cove in Annisquam. They offer a thoughtful, limited menu that can be paired with a well-curated wine and beer list.
If weather permits, we recommend sitting out on the deck and taking in the sunset. If you are thinking about this option, you should probably plan ahead and make a reservation because seating is limited.
Essex County Hidden Gems is a new blog series that we will be running throughout the winter to showcase all of the incredible things that Cape Ann has to offer and whet your palate for some traveling and exploration! Keep an eye out for new posts on our site every week.
If you liked the Plum Cove feature, be sure to check out other great hidden gems such as Chebacco Lake!
