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South Coast Beaches

South Coast Green Spaces
South Coast Outdoor Activities
South Coast Arts and Culture

South Coast beaches boast some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. With nine South Coast communities bordering the water and adjacent to inland towns, there's always a beach within reach. The beaches highlighted here are listed east to west. Check the links for details about beach access and parking fees.

Looking for homes for sale on the South Coast? Start your South Coast home search here. Contact one of our agents to view listings.

 

A view of Onset Beach in Wareham, MA, on a cloudy day
Photo by David M. Green, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Onset Beach, Wareham

Onset Beach features a wide, long, and sandy stretch of town-owned beach facing the calm waters of Onset Bay. Great for children and families, Onset Beach amenities include a kayak rental and nearby parking at the town pier. Waterfront service and delicious food at the Onset Beach Patio and Grille restaurant create a beach experience to enjoy with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Local Tip: South Coast beaches overlook the many coves and inlets of Buzzards Bay. With an overall length of about 28 miles, this scenic bay supports tourism, boating, and fishing.

Shell Point Beach, Wareham

Onset Beach connects with Shell Point Beach along the same stretch of shoreline. Like Onset Beach, Shell Point Beach is owned by the Town of Wareham. Shallow water with no waves make Shell Point Beach a favorite for families with young children. The beach overlooks Sunset Cove and is a great place to enjoy a spectacular sunset.

A view of Little Harbor Beach in Wareham, MA

Little Harbor Beach, Wareham

Also owned by the Town of Wareham, Little Harbor Beach overlooks Buzzards Bay. Calm surf along the long shoreline offer plenty of room for beachgoers. Salt marshes around Little Harbor shelter birds and wildlife. Pair a visit to Little Harbor Beach with a stop at the nearly Mass Audubon's Great Neck Wildife Sanctuary.

Swift's Beach, Wareham

Swift's Beach sits along the mouth of the Wareham River that flows into Buzzards Bay. Shallow water and tide pools appeal to seaside explorers at this relaxed and quiet beach.

Silvershell Beach, Marion

Owned by the Town of Marion, Silvershell Beach overlooks Sippican Harbor, which offers a protected shoreline for swimming and wading. Beachgoers love Silvershell Beach for its scenic views and small-kid appeal.

Fort Phoenix State Reservation, Fairhaven

Fort Phoenix State Reservation is a small state park with a universally accessible beach and the remains of historic Fort Phoenix, which played a part in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Visitors can bike, swim, and stroll the hurricane barrier across New Bedford Harbor at this DCR-owned property.


West Island Town Beach in Westport, MA
Photo of West Island Town Beach by Eric Birkeland courtesy of Fairhaven, MA Office of Tourism

West Island Town Beach, Fairhaven

Owned by the Town of Fairhaven, West Island Town Beach sits at the south end of West Island State Reservation that juts into Buzzards Bay. Calm waters and wide-open vistas offer a beautiful setting for sunset watching, swimming, and fishing.

Local Tip: Public beaches along the Massachusetts South Coast charge for parking. Parking stickers for residents and day passes for nonresidents help towns maintain beaches for all to enjoy.

Demarest Lloyd State Park, Dartmouth

DCR, which owns and maintains this property, calls Demarest Lloyd State Park “one of the best-kept secrets in the Massachusetts forest and park system.” Dunes and a grassy picnic area border an 1,800-foot beach overlooking Buzzards Bay. Trails offer scenic beauty away from the beach and through tidal marshes and along salt marshes.

Jones Beach, Dartmouth

Located along Clarks Cove and owned by the Town of Dartmouth, Jones Beach features a sandy crescent-shaped beach and a grassy area with picnic tables, horeshoe pits, a playground, and atheltic fields.

Beach at Demarest Lloyd State Park in Dartmouth, MA
Photo by NewtonCourt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Apponagansett Beach, Dartmouth

Overlooking Apponagansett Bay, this town-owned beach is a great spot for collecting shells, launching kayaks and boats, and taking in scenic views. Amenities include a picnic area, gazebo, playground equipment, and volleyball and basketball courts.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport

With two miles of barrier beach where beachgoers can swim, fish, hike, and kayak, Horseneck Beach State Reservation is one of the most popular beaches in Massachustts. Walk across the causeway to explore and hike Gooseberry Island, known for its panoramic views.

Cherry and Webb Beach, Westport

Just west of Horseneck Beach, Cherry and Webb Beach borders Buzzards Bay and features a long beach accessible via a sand path through a stretch a grass-covered dunes. Owned by the Town of Westport, it's a peaceful spot for shelling, swimming, and sunning.