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The Best Beaches in Boston's South Shore

From Quincy down through Plymouth, the South Shore mixes easy-to-reach city beaches with long barrier strands — but many of the best are resident-sticker or small town lots, so parking is the whole game on a hot weekend.

7 beaches mapped · Summer 2026 · updated June 14, 2026

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Featured

Top beaches & swimming spots

  1. Nantasket Beach

    Hull

    The South Shore’s marquee beach — a long crescent with a classic carousel and arcade strip, paid DCR lots, and a seasonal commuter ferry straight from Boston.

    Public beachTicketed
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  2. Wollaston Beach

    Quincy

    Boston’s closest real beach — a Quincy Bay strand you can reach on the Red Line plus a short bus, with free roadside parking along Quincy Shore Drive.

    Public beachFree
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  3. Duxbury Beach

    Duxbury

    A six-mile barrier beach with dunes and an ORV trail; nonresident access is tight (a few daily passes), so most go with a sticker or arrive early.

    Family beachTicketed
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  4. Rexhame Beach

    Marshfield

    Marshfield’s big dune-backed town beach at the mouth of the South River — a town lot with a daily nonresident fee that caps out on summer Saturdays.

    Public beachTicketed
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  5. Plymouth Long Beach

    Plymouth

    A three-mile barrier spit curling across Plymouth Harbor — calm bay side, open ocean side, a paid lot at the gateway, and ORV access further out.

    Family beachTicketed
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Hidden gems & dog beaches

  1. White Horse Beach

    Manomet

    A beloved Manomet pocket beach with a real summer-village feel; there’s no lot, just scarce residential street parking, so locals walk or bike in.

    Hidden gemFree
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  2. Peggotty Beach

    Scituate

    A rugged Scituate beach below the cliffs — quieter and scenic, but parking is resident-only street spots, so it rewards an early arrival or a walk.

    Hidden gemFree
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Boston's South Shore beaches — FAQ

Which South Shore beach can I reach without a car?
Wollaston Beach in Quincy is the easiest — Red Line to a short bus — and Nantasket Beach in Hull has a seasonal commuter ferry from Boston plus paid DCR lots.
Which South Shore beaches need a resident sticker?
Duxbury and Peggotty (Scituate) are largely resident-parking; Rexhame and Plymouth Long Beach have paid town lots with nonresident fees. The live map shows which lots are open right now.
Which is best for families?
Nantasket and Plymouth Long Beach have lifeguards, restrooms, and calmer water; Nantasket also has the carousel and arcades for a classic beach day.
Can I report parking or add a beach?
Yes — tap a beach on the live map to report its current parking, or drop a pin to add one. It updates for everyone instantly.

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