Monica F.
Yelp
I've been going to Horseneck for about 30 years now so I can definitely say that this place has come a LONG way! It used to be really gross, but a lot of care has gone into the grounds, facilities, and staff, especially over the last few years.
Sand and Surf - Let's just get this out right away: there are rocks on this beach. I personally don't need water shoes, but, like I said, I've been coming here and traversing the rocks for decades, so it's not a big deal. Some beaches have rocks, some don't. This doesn't make it a bad beach, it just makes it a beach with different terrain. Also, it's not all rocks! Most of the beach is sand, especially once you get in the water. Just walk carefully and you'll be fine.
The water is cold in June and warms up in July. It's wonderfully refreshing on a hot, humid day. There is seaweed, but I don't remember the last time I was deterred from going in. The red tide is sometimes off-putting, but once I make my way past it, the water is clear and clean. I just make sure to take my bathing suit off in the shower when I get home as I know I'll be covered in seaweed.
Again, this is nature. It's not going to be sanitized and purified. And it's not a Caribbean beach like pictures in a calendar. It's a Massachusetts beach. This is what it looks like.
Facilities - The welcoming area to the right has outdoor shower stalls, restrooms, a place to rinse your feet, and some benches. The toilets are composting toilets which is a little strange to some, but is a great option for such a location.
The walkway through the dunes is wonderful and has a pagoda halfway where you can sit in the shade. There is also a new walkway through the sand on the beach that is super helpful in walking toward the water and also helps in remembering where your chair is.
The facilities to the left of the entrance are nice, too. This is where the first aid office is and there are restrooms as well.
What really prompted me to write a review after all these years is that I recently saw a staff member set up a table near the walkway stairs and put out a "game" with shells and questions. It was an educational quiz to get kids interested in single-shelled and two-shelled animals and how to tell the difference. At the end of the game, the kids would get the shell they chose put on a cord as a necklace. How awesome is that!?
The $13 parking fee kills me and I either have to go with someone to split the cost or ride along with someone who has a season pass. Otherwise, it may not always be in the budget. But at least I feel the hike in price is being put to good use.