Erhen K.
Yelp
As far as city beaches go I think this might be my favorite, but seeing as it's a 10min T ride from my apartment near Govn't center, I may be a little bias.
Coming from Chicago I've grown accustom to having a verity of nice city beaches within walking distance from a train station...Boston, ironically, is not that kind of city....Who'd a thought? No, seriously, it's right on the ocean! So like, who'd a thought!!?! In fact, aside from Revere Beach, the location of most beaches in the city seem to be little pearls of wisdom held close and dear to the locals...which is great if you live in the neighborhood and are local, not so great if you are a Midwestern transplant who was to get her beach on! and for the most part, Constitution/Orient Heights Beach is no different. the beach area is small, it doesn't stretch for miles and miles like some of the north shore beaches and there's not "sand bars" like in Hull or Rhode Island, but what there is, is plenty of space to sit, put your feet in the sand, read a book and snack on an Italian Ice (from the really reasonably priced snack bar) the bathrooms and changing facilities are some of the cleanest I've ever seen and it's the height of beach season (July 30th) Someone posted pics and they were a totally accurate representation. The sand is a tiny bit rocky, but cleaner than Rhode Island beach, there was no obvious trash either in the water or in the sand...yes there are a few cigarette butts, which I agree is kinda gross, but all in all not bad!
This beach is also a great place to bring the kids for a couple different reasons; it's less crowed so there's room for them to run around and not kick sand in peoples face and because where it's situated there are no waves, which means no dangerous undertow to knock down and drag your 2 year old under. It's kinda like swimming in an inland lake. The views across into Winthrop are pretty and it's actually kinda neat to watch the planes take off and land. Overall this was exactly what I wanted, but I have to warn you, between the old Italian ladies in their swim dresses and the Latinos with their families, my pastey Irish ass was hands down the whitest on the beach! LOL but hey, even us whiteys want to get our beach on!
Now I can't speak for these infamous Southie beaches, but if what your looking for is a quick low key day at the beach, that doesn't entail a car, forget Revere and get off at Orient Heights, I don't think you'll be disappointed.