Rockport MA Beaches Our Top 5 List
Our Favorite Beaches In Rockport, Massachusetts
New Englanders take Summer seriously. We know that we have to suck the marrow out of our fleeting halcyon days before crawling back into our frigid cave of seasonal depression. Overly dramatic, maybe, but the struggle is most definitely real.
By Memorial Day (much earlier for Summer devotees) the boats are in the water and the beaches are getting combed, even if it’s still a bit on the cool side.
Here in Rockport, Massachusetts we love our beaches. There is no better feeling than soaking up some rays, exploring a local tide pool and taking a refreshing dip in the Atlantic. Followed posthaste, of course, with nursing a Vitamin D overload with a few cocktails and some salty crustaceans.
So, if you’re thinking about heading to the beaches in Rockport here is our guide to the Top 5 Rockport MA Beaches.
Right in the heart of the seaside village you will find the special little stretch of soft sand known as Front Beach. Situated on beloved Sandy Bay, Front Beach is nestled right behind the shops and Shalin Liu Performance Center.
The beach is on the smaller side but still offers ample space to set up your beach towel and chairs and take some time to relax. It is also a great spot to bring the kids. They can find a nice variety of seashells, climb on the rocks, and hunt for some aquatic treasures in the tide pools.
At high tide, the beach is a great spot for a swim because the tide actually comes up to overtake much of the beachfront.
There are lifeguards on duty, metered parking available and there are bathrooms on site for beachgoers. If you come to walk the beach in the morning you can swing over to Nate’s (just across the street) for a tasty breakfast to get your day rolling.
But, the best part of Front Beach is its location. Since it’s so close to the local shops, restaurants, entertainment, and art galleries, it’s a convenient stop to add into your day.
In addition, if you’re staying with us at Addison Choate, it’s only a short walk or bike ride away at 0.3 miles! It’s a no-brainer for one of our favorite Rockport MA Beaches!
On the other side of the rocky outcropping on Front Beach you will find the aptly named Back Beach. If you’re looking for the perfect sandy beach to roll out your beach towel and break out your Grishams, Back Beach may not be the right spot for you.
It is primarily a rocky beach with some sandy spots; however, it’s a great spot to put down a beach chair and enjoy the view and enjoy a tipple on the sly.
Back beach is also well-known for its scuba diving. So, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous this may a great addition to your, hopefully, loose agenda.
There are metered parking spots and it’s a great spot for beginner divers to start exploring the Atlantic. If you’re in need of some equipment and training, Cape Ann Divers, in Gloucester, will be able to point you in the right direction.
You can keep an eye out on your dive for flounder, pollack, as well as an impressive array of lobsters.
Conveniently located, Back Beach is just 1.0 Miles from the Addison Choate and easily walkable for bikeable. If you decide to drive, you can take advantage of the convenient metered spots that are available.
If you’re looking for a quiet secluded beach, Old Garden Beach in Rockport may be the perfect little nook for some rest and relaxation. The small beach is a combination of sand and rocks and has a grassy park adjacent to it where you can relax at the picnic tables or enjoy the scenery from the benches.
We think Old Garden Beach is a great part of a walk from Addison Choate. Walk down Broadway, take a right on Mount Pleasant and a left on Atlantic.
At the end of Atlantic Ave., you will come to the Headlands, a rocky outcropping overlooking Sandy Bay, Bearskin Neck and Rockport Harbor. The Perfect Place to snap a few pics.
Follow the trail over to Old Garden Beach where you can enjoy a picnic or just enjoy the ocean view.
Old Garden Beach is another great place to dive. You can explore the ocean and find some lobsters of all different shapes and sizes. Here is a great video of some diving off the coast.
If the seaside village of Rockport is the hidden gem of Massachusetts, then Cape Hedge Beach is a hidden gem within a hidden gem. Dare we say it’s Matryoshka R&R at its finest.
The beach is not as well-known as other local beaches like Front Beach, Wingaersheek and Good Harbor, so it is a great place for a quiet escape. It’s located off 127A in between Pebble Beach and Long Beach and is shielded by a giant wall of pebbles.
Parking can be tricky because it is only for residents or seasonal pass holders so we would recommend biking in. You can always grab a nice rental bike from us here at Addison Choate and cruise on over! Upon arrival you will be greeted with a massive sea of pebbles and a nice view of the twin lighthouses.
Another beautiful beach, with a relaxed vibe in Rockport (and Gloucester) is Long Beach. This is one of the largest Rockport beaches and is backed by a retaining wall that is lined with summer cottages. You can get a nice view of Thatcher Island and the twin light houses from here.
Like many beaches, when the tide rolls in the beach can get a tad small, but once it rolls back out there is a good amount of room for football, frisbee, spike ball or any other beach entertainment that you enjoy.
There are some great food vendors for snacks and ice cream and some waves that the kids can enjoy with boogie boards. The parking can be a bit tricky, so biking in is always a good bet. The local residents are more than willing to rent out their driveways or lawns for parking in the $20-$25 range.
This is one of our favorite Rockport MA Beaches but be sure to get there early because it can get a little crowded in peak season.
So there is our overview of the Top 5 Rockport MA Beaches. The list does not include every beach in the area and there are so many other great beaches on Cape Ann to explore. But if you’re in the area for a day or two these are some can’t miss stops to get your dose of Vitamin Sea!
