Nahant Beach

Weeranat Wilaiwan

2024-04

We were in search of a place to relax on our weekends, and Nahant Beach turned out to be the perfect spot for us. It's incredibly beautiful and not too crowded, allowing us to unwind in a calm atmosphere.Despite its proximity to the city, the beach offers a peaceful retreat, with only a few residences relaxing at the shoreline, all enjoying their weekends just like us.Near the beach, there are several cool restaurants and shops where we could grab a meal and souvenirs. We picked up some sandwiches and drinks and found a nice spot on a bench from where we could watch the waves and let the gentle breeze calm our minds.In our opinion, Nahant Beach is truly a wonderful escape from the busy city life of Boston.

Kathy Applin

2024-04

We went to Nahant because my husband’s uncle lived there many years ago and my husband remembers his visits with joy. We parked at a church parking lot and walked our two golden doodles all around the island. It was absolutely beautiful!! Our visit was in April on a nice day so there wasn’t the summer traffic. I would highly recommend a visit to this lovely island.

Victor Olaore Omoshehin

2023-09

Let me take you through the brief history of Nahant Beach and Town!The Town of Nahant is a resort town of rocky coasts in the southernmost part of Essex County. Used in early colonial days as a grazing area for cattle, sheep, and goat flocks owned by Lynn residents, Nahant very soon became a maritime community with a small population devoted to fishing. Settlers were granted land for homesites, but only if they also spent time fishing and small boat fishing developed before 1640. Disputed land claims were the hallmark of the town’s early years since the Sachem of Nahant, Poquanum (also called Duke William, Black Will or Dark-skin) apparently sold the same town site to three different sets of people.By 1657, Nahant was laid out in planting lots of equal shares for all residents of Lynn with the requirement that all lots were to be cleared of wood in 6 years. This mandate effectively stripped Nahant of all its first growth woodlands.The town became a resort mecca very early on with chaises coming from Lynn. Visitors stayed in boarding houses or private homes, and the first hotel was built by 1803. In 1817, a steamboat sailed from Boston to Nahant daily, and by 1826, a stage from the Nahant Hotel connected twice a day with coaches running between Boston and Salem. Fishing and several shoe shops were the major businesses aside from agriculture and tourism, and even up to 1830 year-round residents were very few. Thomas Handyside Perkins, a prominent Boston businessman, built a hotel in Nahant in 1823, which featured a bowling alley, and by the 1840’s the town was already celebrated as the summer resort of Boston’s elite.Incorporated in 1853, the town was the site of the most massive hotel complex on the Atlantic Coast and the location of an annual regatta. By the end of the 19th century, there was a visible shift away from hotels and toward residences. An era of skyrocketing growth began about 1870 and continued unabated for the next four decades, with construction firms putting up hundreds of summer homes for visitors to the town. In the modern era, Nahant has protected its residential status, and farming and industrial activity have disappeared.Nahant is located in Eastern Massachusetts. It is a peninsula jutting south of Lynn and surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean.Nahant is 14 miles north of Boston; 98 miles south of Portland, Maine; and 232 miles from New York City. Nahant has a land area of 1.24 square miles and a total area of 15.48 square miles.Let me share some pictures with you as well.For your update, do not attempt to swim in the beach, as life guards are not available, no alcohol is allowed on the beach. The beach has lots of parking spaces for over 2,000 vehicles, and that's super amazing. There are two standard public rest rooms, including a changing room for babies.Enjoy the pictures I have for you..

Sara Ansari

2023-05

Beautiful beach only half hour outside boston and can see the skyline so you still feel at home. Paid parking but plenty of spots available. Small restaurant where you can get great tasting pizza and drinks but we always bring our own food and drinks. Can go pretty far out into the water before hitting waist deep and i’m only 5’2. Lots of shore space, no sharks! But plenty of sunshine. This beach does its job for those of us who are local.

Riaj Mahamud

2022-05

It is a beautiful beach. This beach has longest areas. It’s very clean. It doesn’t have rocks. It has a parking fees of 10$. I guess you can’t do fishing at this beach.

Gauge Carter

2024-01

Good for surfing, I do believe the dirty water has gotten me sick a handful of times 🙁

Voyageuse Yogi L

2023-07

Best beach to go any day. It is a sandy beach with beautiful shells and sunsets are breathtaking. Seagulls are very friendly lol!!

Bas Barath

2022-05

Beautiful beach. We could go pretty far into the sea at hip level of water. I wish they had washing facilities nearby. They charge $10, a public shower every few miles could have been nice.

Gaurav Daga

2018-05

Soft sand, clean water and nice view of city. Only thing which can be improved is to provide a more washroom and shower area on this long beach. This is perfect gateway for a n evening trip. I'll definitely visit again here, soon !

Yifu Hu

2020-05

Beautiful beach. Water too cold for swimming even in early August. Saw a sea dog while swimming near the shore. Plenty of parking spots ($10) along the beach. Good place for playing card games with friends in a Sunday afternoon.

Sarah Ikerd

2021-05

This is beautiful beach very accessible from North Station by the MBTA commuter rail, Lynn stop. It is much cleaner than most public beaches the times I have been there. This could be better for public beaches in general though! We need to protect and respect these ecosystems and wildlife that so enrich our lives, like the seagulls that eat all the leftover potato chips! 😆 Anyways, Nahant has multiple public bathhouses, a playground, nearby restaurants, a walkway along the shore, and the swimming is great when the water temps cooperate. I have taken some truly epic photos of this beach like the one included because it is so beautiful! There is something wild about NE beaches that can’t be tamed. It may be all the rocks, the jagged shorelines and curves and inlets one can explore!

B W

2023-07

Lots of parking, $10 for MA residents. Long beach with usually clear water. Check postings after rainstorms though for bacteria warnings

Sarah Rydgren

2019-05

This is a lovely beach to walk on but there needs to be more enforcement of the rules. There is an abundance of dogs on the beach and dog poop even after April 1, and after April 1 dogs are prohibited from this beach by MA CMR.There are endangered birds that nest in the sand that attempt to nest here every summer but are frequently disturbed by dogs and people, which is unfortunate.This is a good place to surf, kite surf, and jog as there is a path adjacent to the beach. (Where dogs are welcome year round)

Mary Carmona

2023-12

Did a little photoshoot for my girlfriend. Always come up to relax and sunbathe.

Neeraj Singh

2021-05

Went on Labor Day. Full parking. MA resident $10. Sand ambience and water was good. Lot many people. It was too windy. People were mindful and maintaining distance.

Cher Young

2023-07

Such a beautiful beach! It does get a bit crowded but we like to go on overcast days when there's less of a crowd.

Linimberg Oliveira

2023-08

Beautiful beach, clean sand and water. Plenty of parking if you arrive really early

Alechka

2021-05

Nice long beach with very fine grey sand, which is so light that it gets everywhere- in your clothes, in your eyes, in your mouth😄The water is always freezing cold, but clean. There is a lovely path alongside the beach adorned with wild roses; it’s perfect for walking. So even if you can’t stand cold water, you’ll still enjoy the landscape, fresh breeze and unity with nature.

Mercedes Corvera

2023-05

I love the place especially early morning when the sun light is just about to shine and combined with pinkish color of the horizon.❤❤❤

Ranjeeta Bhattacharjee

2021-05

What a beautiful beach. Perfect for safely lazing around and swim as the water level is appropriate for kids too. The scenic drive to the beach is another plus point for sure.

Luisa LaSalle

2018-05

Clean beach outside of Boston. Parking is generally limited, but we went for the sunset after 6pm, so were able to grab a spot from a family heading home. Bring your own food and drinks, as there aren't many options around. Beautiful views!

stephanie estevao

2022-05

my favorite beach. a great place to go with family. on weekends the parking lot is usually full, but there is always space. during the week it is very calm. Nahant Beach is very clean and calm, clean toilets and no trash as seen on Revere Beach. i really love this beach...Note: parking costs 8 dollars, which can only be paid with a debit card.

Tara Tai

2019-05

This is a really nice beach that is fairly accessible from Boston, right outside of Lynn/Saugus, maybe a 10-mile bike ride from Malden. You can take the Northern Strand Community Trail although be forewarned that the latter half of that bike trail is gravel, not paved. If driving, it costs $10 per car with MA plate. Amenities are basic but good -- showers and toilets, and there are lifeguards during the day as well as lots of surfers.

Michal Bieniek

2020-05

A nice getaway from the busy city, if you wish to relax. Do not expect much though - there is little to choose as far as any close by entertainment or food. Parking is also limited and requires a pass purchase ,- do your research! Beware, if you hope to park around the "island" instead, there is nowhere around you can park without seeing "residents only" signs.

Cecilia Cordova

2023-08

Great place! I like how quiet and peaceful it was.

Uladzislau Kulakevich

2021-05

Very nice beach, the sand is not of the best colour (it is grey), but very soft (100 feet off the ocean line), and the beach is long enough for a long stroll

Gerald Jakaitis

2018-05

Beach is quite nice here and very busy in the summer, but most important for me is that part of this beach available for dogs to run and play although dogs are not allowed in the human swimming areas.There is no free parking here only one parking lot that you have to pay for.

Olga Talroze

2021-05

Very spacious, safe in terms of social distancing. Water was was amazing- refreshing but not too cold. The bottom of the ocean is very even and comfortable , no rocks, it gets deeper very gradually.Had to wait a bit for parking but considering it was Sunday on the hot day it is probably better on other these days.

sharat menon

2021-05

Got there early to avoid crowds..within an hour or so the whole place was packed with canopies all over the place. Awesome beach , plenty of parking. Just be careful with so many people around you without masks.

Shardul Telharkar

2021-05

This place is quite apt to be visited specially during the pandemic.No crowding, very spacious.We got amazing sunlight for photography.Quite close-by to residents on northern side of Boston area (Somerville, Medford, Malden, etc.)Must visit.