New England Travel

Your top 10 New England beaches

By Legacy User

August 23, 2012

3 minutes to read

Earlier this month, you helped determine the best beaches in New England during out Beach Bonanza tournament. Here are the beaches that finished with the top 10 votes in that competition.
10. Sandy Neck, West Barnstable – You don’t have to sing camp songs or toast marshmallows, but a small fire on the beach can be fun and romantic. Problem is, most beaches prohibit them. Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable is a notable exception, but you have to check with the staff (508-362-8300) to see if weather conditions permit fires, which are limited to the area east of the public beach.
9. Chatham Light Beach, Chatham – Swimmers often spot them congregating on sand bars off Chatham Lighthouse Beach; haul-outs on the beach occur farther south where the sands continue toward Monomoy. They are wild animals, so keep your distance.
8. Marconi Beach, Wellfleet – The height of the land at Marconi Beach offers stunning views of the Atlantic here from atop the cliffs. Below, the expanse of land creates a quiet, relaxing environment, no matter how crowded.
7. Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit, Maine – Ogunquit’s three-and-a-half miles of beach were rated by TripAdvisor as being one of the top 25 in the nation. The beach’s grassy dunes are a natural barrier between the Ogunquit River and the ocean.
6. Race Point Beach, Provincetown – The sand is a little whiter and brighter at the tip of the Cape, where Provincetown’s crown jewel provides the final stop on the historic Cape Cod National Seashore.
5. Singing Beach, Manchester-by-the-Sea – The pristine sand makes this a favorite North Shore destination, while the stunning views provide a soothing atmosphere.
4. Cahoon Hollow, Wellfleet – Stare out at the ocean from atop this Wellfleet classic’s sand cliffs for one of Cape Cod’s most breathtaking views. Then make your way – slowly – down the adjacent embankment and it will seem like the beach swallowed you into its beauty.
3. Coast Guard Beach, Eastham – One of the first stops on the Cape Cod National Seashore, this Eastham favorite places annually on beach guru Dr. Stephen Leatherman’s list of the top 10 cleanest beaches in the country thanks to pristine ocean conditions, fine, powdery sand, and a concerted effort to protect the nesting piping plovers.
2. Crane Beach, Ipswich – This gorgeous stretch of land on the North Shore features fine powdery sand, clear ocean water, and some impressively clean changing and food facilities. The short walk across the parking lot boardwalk to the beach provides beachgoers with a variety of sights, from the plentiful mounds of sand dunes to the immaculate view of one of the state’s most beloved summer spots. It was also last year’s Beach Bonanza winner.
1. Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester – One of the many beaches in Gloucester, Good Harbor beach has become a local favorite due to its white sand, great surf, and stunning views. This year’s Beach Bonanza winner is also a hotspot for dog walkers during the early morning and at sundown.