Nahant Beach

Nahant Beach is a hidden gem just outside of Boston! The beach is clean, spacious, and offers stunning views of the ocean. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing day out—whether you’re swimming, sunbathing, or just taking a peaceful walk along the shore. There’s plenty of parking, and the atmosphere is calm and family-friendly. It’s a great escape from the city without traveling too far. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Boston area!

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.

The sand is clean and fresh. It a beautiful place for taking great photos because the beach is quiet from distraction. Also, It is a short 15-20 min walk from MBTA Lynn Central Square. Take the #439 #441 and #442 bus from Blue Line Wonderland to Lynn Central Square and follow Northshore Community College down to the beach.

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.

This is the best beach in the Boston area. The water is clear, the waves are not too bad, and the sand is amazing. Very good vibes. Nice if you can find a way to bike in so you don’t need to worry about parking craziness

We went in Nov right after election day to cheer ourselves up and it was 81F. A lot of parking. I was mad that many dog owners did not pick poop up on the way to the beach. They should provide more garbage cans.

I’d say one of my favorite beaches near the city. Clean, ample parking and very spacious.

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..

A lovely beach on the North Shore--clean, spacious, and perfect for swimming or just relaxing on the sand. We arrived in the evening, so parking was free, however they do charge during the day. Even with the sun setting, the water was surprisingly comfortable and we were able to swim without freezing too badly. There's also a convenient bathhouse on site, and a restaurant just as you enter the parking lot. Definitely planning to come back on a hot summer day and soak in the sun.

Nice little playground next to beach with a small parking lot that fills up quickly. Basic play structures with slides and swings. You can't beat the ocean views and ability to go right to the beach though!

Beautiful beach anytime of day. Amazing sunsets. Great restaurant right next door called The Tides...and a Dunkin if you need a coffee fix...lol

Beautiful beach! Plenty of parking- one way though! You drive past the beach (seems incorrect), turn into the beach parking, and then it's one way back the other direction. It seems incorrect but it's right! Bathrooms are closed for the season when it's not beach season- that sucks because then you have to completely leave the beach. This is a wide beach too, so plenty of space for everyone to set up towels:)

This is hands down the best beach for surfing in the entirety of Massachusetts, on certain days waves can get really good and break at reasonable distance from shore not too close not too far just right, just be sure to check the surf forecast too and bring a 5/4mm wetsuit with 6mm gloves and boots for the winter

Pretty nice! I mostly stuck to the stretch of paved sidewalk bordering the beach but next time I'll be sure to plunk my toes into the sand and water. Everything seemed well-maintained. Here are some tips if you're thinking of coming by: 1. Try to come super early or super late to a) nab a parking spot and b) avoid the tangle of traffic leading into the beach area. We came towards the later end of prime time and getting in was fine but getting out, with the gazillion rotaries, was a pain (not to mention getting lost in downtown Boston but that's my bad). 2. For the parking lot, hang a left right before the turn off for Tides restaurant. We missed this the first go-around, had to do a u-turn, and then went through the rotary again. 3. They have two regular parking machines, one of which was broken, which caused a traffic jam getting into the parking lot. I felt bad for the driver who had to circle to the back of the line. 4. Prices are not bad. If you have a MA license plate, it's only $10 for the whole day. We've been researching other MA beaches and cheap, accessible non-resident parking seems ... non-existent. 5. There are Porta Potties and a halfway bathhouse, which had relatively clean bathrooms.

It's a really great beach for Massachusetts residents. $10 parking for residents, and $60 dollars for out of state. The beach is kept really well and there's no trash. Sand is really fine, and light winds will blow it everywhere on you. Most of the beaches on the East Coast are cold, so I would bring a wetsuit. I saw some people attempt to surf in September, but the waves looked very small. Depending on the season you go, maybe it is tough to get parking. I'll probably try to go during peak season when it is warmer next year and I might update the review. You might be lucky and some days it is free. The beach is big enough to play some music without bothering too many people.

Nahant is such a cool beach to visit, and one of the several beaches my Bostonian friend recommended we visit. From Everett to Nahant, it's about a 30 minute drive that was pretty straight away. the coastline and parking is very long, so be prepared to walk a long way depending where you park. The water was FREEZING even in a 93 degree heat wave in June, but overall a gorgeous view from anywhere on the beach. You can even see a good skyline view of Boston from the beach, too!

I just visited this beach and really enjoyed my time here. It's a quick drive from Boston...approximately 30 minutes. Unlike other reviews that mentioned parking being an issue, I had no problems here. There was plentiful parking and it was also free which was a plus! Beach was spacious so lots of room to spread out. The water was cool and refreshing and the views were nice. Only annoying thing was trying to leave. There were long lines backed up and the parking lot is extremely narrow/one way, so it was a little tight trying to get out, but I will be back!!

This beach is a hidden gem! Before this, I had gone to Carlson Beach which was not a great beach at all. There is a $10 entry fee if you have a Massachusetts's license plate and $40 if you're out of state. There parking lot is pretty big so parking wasn't an issue. The beach itself is amazing. The sand is soft and smooth and not full of sharp shells like Carlson Beach. There was not a lot of people on this beach at all for a Saturday. The closest people were like 50 feet away. I was also about to find some clams and other wildlife in the sand. There is a public bathroom, but it can be a walk depending on where you parked. There is also a paved trail along the beach that you can walk or bike on. This is the best beach that I've found in Massachusetts so far and it's only 30 minutes away!

I come to this beach often, both with and without family. It's $10 for MA residents; they accept card and the yodel app. BONUS TIP: Some local libraries have beach passes (you just have to reserve with time) Otherwise it's a pretty clean beach regarding the sand. The water can sometimes be filled with seaweed depending on the tides. During the weekends, arrive early for parking. It does get filled pretty quickly. The weekdays are more flexible. Limited food options so it's best to pack up food and bring a cooler. There are portable bathrooms on site -- further down on the front end of the beach there are bathroom stalls. Honestly, it's one of the best beaches in the North shore area. The water can be particularly cold but it's expected for the area and depending on the time of year. Note that there is a Lynn side to this beach (entrance of the rotary) and a Nahant side (after the parking entrance)

Pretty nice beach but the parking is pretty terrible. Be prepared to hoof it unless you get there very early. The problem is that the main parking lot is about a mile away from the building that has the bathrooms and showers. Otherwise the beach is very nice with fine sand. Beach is huge at low tide and tiny at high tide but that's life in New England.

Exquisite beach. Beautiful waves. Clean beach. Gorgeous sand. Sunrise & sunsets are the best here.

Expansive, nice slow grade with great views. parking lot is full length of beach but not free. Probably need to come very early. Residents of Nahant not friendly to outsiders and make it clear you can't park in their neighborhood even though it should be public streets? Lots and lots of trash washed up daily. I usually bring a bag and make 3-4 trips to trash cans/day with goodies that came ashore. Kite surfers fun to watch. There was a brown algae on other side of peninsula that was rough on the nose but less noticeable on this beach. Water appeared clean. This beach could really be a nice gem with a bit of clean up.

Perfect for dogs in the off season. It was clean, and full of friendly people and their dogs. Go during low tide and you'll have so much more beach to work with. I saw many responsible dog owners, cleaning up after their pets. I hope that this continues. No one wants to use a dirty beach. I have not tried this in the Summer yet, but I think parking could be a challenge if you do not arrive early. In the off season, parking didn't seem to be an issue.

Sunday ,6/26 , it took 25 minutes to get out of the parking lot at 3 pm. Saw one DCR employee sitting outside the bath house reading a book sunning himself. Does it make sense to close the lot if it's at capacity ? Is it really too hard to have a spotter in the lot to contact the entrance booth to close it off for awhile ? God knows they have enough employees riding around on their golf carts doing nothing. All these years and the DCR still can't get their act together.

What a beautiful beach! I was here today for the first time and loved it. This is the perfect beach for Bostonians who struggle to find clean beaches nearby. Super impressed with the strip of beach. The sand is clean, the water is crystal clear (albeit FREEZING) and I had no concern swimming in it! People were pretty respectful. Nothing major to report. You'll get your run of the mill people blaring their music for all to hear, but that's going to happen at any public beach around here. One thing I would advise is going as early as possible. Seriously, by 9 AM (when I got there) the lot was nearly full! Honestly, this beach is better than Duxbury!

I have to give this beach five stars just for the fact that I lifeguarded on this beach for five years back in high school and college. The beach is long and has a walking path you can use bicycles also. Lots of parking but beware it costs money. At the very end of Nahant Beach on one end you have the police station on the other you have the tides restaurant all in all a great place to spend a day in the summer

Wonderful beach, but parking 10$... and huge line for it...(in good sunny day of course) . clean pleasant sand, cold water. There are a toilet, a shower, a changing room. Nice place at all.

This is definitely one of my favorite beaches in or around Boston. The sand is soft & the water appears to be clean. There is a large parking lot with tons of spaces. It's pay to park ($10 for in state license plates; $20 for out of state). They take cash, credit, & debit. I typically come during the week & have always been able to find parking, but I hear the weekends get busier.

This is a beautiful beach! There is a lot and is only $10 to park! There are also bathrooms which are very important for a long day at the beach! The sand and water are super clean and the water actually does get warm...hard to find! Decent sized waves and games are allowed on the beach!

General point I have noticed with beaches in the northeast: these things are not really all sandy - they have some sandy parts but then there is hard packed mud for like 200 ft and then you have water. Very New England-ish so if you are from California or Miami don't get your hopes us. For the rest of the people in New England - not a bad beach. Parking is fairly easy (need to drive a loop out east and then back down west to park) and priced @ $3. Beach itself is a bit calmer than other areas closer to Boston and also fairly clean. We had enough space to play Frisbee on a nice Saturday afternoon. The homes on the bay seem to wrap this beach into a small bay and the water was quite calm. I did see some people kite-surfing so I guess its an option here. Overall - a nice option as far as New England beaches go.

Parking $3...12 Pack of Bud Light and Cups to conceal the beer $18...Walking by a hypodermic needle on your way to the beach PRICELESS. Yes parking is cheap and there isn't all that many people watching what you do. However the sand is hard and flat. The nearest bathroom could end up being a hell of a hike if you are excluding the ocean of course (yes I am admitting to peeing in the ocean). The food options are very minimal unless you bring your own. And the lot fills quickly on the weekends. But at the end of the day it's still only $3. Find a decent beach for $3 that close to Boston and please let me know. Until then Nahant it is or something like Gloucester if I am looking to drive the extra 15-20 min.

Yes came down for a looksie for I was told to come see the changes they made ,, yes it's much cleaner ,, new sand ,walk ways ,paths and flowers ! Thinking I was not going to be impressed but got to hand it to Nahant great job ! With the clean up ,, Let's hope the people whom visit keep it this way ,, may just keep coming down to walk ,,

If you fail to plan ahead to go to better beach such as Gloucester or below South of Duxbury, still want to enjoy somewhere nicer than Carlson Beach or Revere Beach, Nahant Beach is the solution for you. It's definitely far less crowded and cleaner than Revere Beach and it's only 20 minutes away from Boston if there is no traffic. Parking is really cheap. $3! There is public bathroom open during the season which is also equipped with showers outside to rinse of the sand. Hungry? Go to Tides or Dunkin at the end of the beach on Nahant side.

I don't understand the rage for this beach. Parking is limited. $10/MA plate. $20/out of state. Sand is dirty and smell of beach is tinged with the smell of oil. The additional star is for the clean bathroom. If you were to go, save some money by parking on the side street and walk in. Within 10 minutes, you will find your beach towel or blanket covered with a thick layer of dark sand.

For $5 to park right by the beach, it's hard to imagine a better deal. This beach is somewhat narrow but it's really long and parking is deceptively plentiful. You will easily find a place to layout here. Definitely worth checking out. The one downside though is that there isn't any food or stands that you can walk to.

Very unfriendly to dogs. In early May there were only about 20 cars in the entire expansive lot. Parking booth was still shut down because the beach was not open for the season, yet dogs are not allowed as of April 1st. Completely ridiculous and unnecessary.

Pretty mediocre beach. Kinda dirty and an oily feel to the sand. Water was freezing, but that's pretty typical of the area. Good crowd. Park on side streets and walk a 5-10 for free parking as opposed to paying $20.

this beach is not the worst to go swimming in. long stretch of just the road and beach. sand is of good quality for laying towels down etc

This is a standard beach where you walk through soft sand to get to the water, but without boardwalks. So you get pretty gritty, but there are outdoor showers with lower spigots to rinse off your feet. The restrooms are small - only 2 stalls for changing and 2 toilet stalls. They also have trash cans so you don't have to lug out everything you brought in. It is a ways to walk from some areas. Despite empty spots the lot was marked full late morning. We returned in the early afternoon and were able to get in. There are views straight out to the Atlantic as well as of some peninsular areas to the sides. Being somewhat closed in by these peninsulas the water was nice and warm. Across the road is the Boston skyline as you approach the parking lot. Signs give you options of pass, debit card or credit card, but in fact DCR, which runs this site, was accepting cash, which is faster and easier. Twenty somethings were overrepresented in the crowds. If you are into college age eye candy you will be pleased. I would return on a weekday when you're assured entrance and are more likely to get a spot close to the service building, but not on a weekend. The $10.00 parking fee is reasonable.

PRO: soft sand all the way into the water; clean beach (very little in the way of either trash or sea debris); clear, clean water; no biting insects (at least not on this breezy afternoon); small, gentle waves & a very slow depth increase, which makes this a good beach for kids or for folks who would rather wade than swim. Parking is only $5 for the day ($7 if you have out-of-state plates), or you can use the $60 annual DCR pass (which is good at 50-someodd MA state parks). I went at 3pm on a July weekday & parked without a problem. CON: *whoooooo-eeeeeeee* is the water cold! Not cold enough to keep me from going all the way in & swimming around, but definitely cold enough to make me wish air temp had been more than 84 degrees and/or that the wind hadn't been blowing quite so briskly. Note: If you plan on spending the day, set up camp above the seaweed line. The tide creeps up the sand fairly quickly once it decides to come in (but it doesn't swallow the whole beach up). All in all, would definitely drive out to read & swim again.

Dear Nahant Beach Ranger/Manager/Whathaveyou: I have an insane and novel idea. Post the open/closed status of your parking lot online somewhere. Anywhere. Do a twitter feed for god's sake. You will save hundreds of Bostonians each day from driving a half hour just to find a 'lot closed' sign, which I'm sure equates to thousands of gallons of gasoline each season. Save the planet, and save our collective sanities. Pretty please?

Please, please don't bring your entire extended family of 100 here. Please, please don't throw your coffee cups and empty six packs here. Please, please don't blast obnoxious music out from your radio here. I'm almost afraid to write a review, because I want to keep this secret all to myself. Nahant Beach is like the smarter, better looking and infinitely more successful sibling to Revere Beach. This place is such a hidden gem, because it never gets super crowded, the water is actually clear, and the beach is extremely clean. Oh, and $3 parking? Hell yeah! One of the best places to be on a hot, summer day.

I am not really sure I can get behind reviewing a beach because I'd like to think whoever creating this establishment knew what he or she was doing. I mean it really evolved into something great. What's next-reviewing that grassy knoll over here? But, Nahant does have people who keep it clean and safe and they deserve props too, so here goes. Nahant is not the nicest or cleanest beach in the world, but it will certainly do and sure beats Revere. You really can't beat $3.00 parking. I can justify coming here after work for a swim, because hey it is practically free. The water is of a decent temperature, does not have too much seaweed, and the waves are calm enough you feel safe but large enough you can body surf every now and then. So Big up to the intelligent wave designer. The lifeguards are attentive, which should go without saying, but doesn't always. Sure there are some Jersey Shore rejects hanging around waiting to prowl, but if you tell them you are not Italian they will go away right quick. Though maybe I shouldn't be so quick to shoo because there are a lot of couples falling in love and pawing each other here and it makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps a=b, but there are also a large amount of condom wrappers hanging around the ocean. This both baffles and annoys me. It is a family beach people. Also, are you all getting your thang on at the beach at the same time? That's just gross. The bathrooms are also really gross, but still nice to have around, though I bet everyone pees in the ocean anyway. Nahant gets four stars for being cheap, convenient, and lovely. It loses one star for having more rubber wrappers than Hugh Hefner's trashcan.

I'm giving this beach five stars for being about a 30 minute drive from my Somerville apartment, while retaining the quality and coziness of a small seaside town. I grew up in Jersey, about 5 minutes from the beach (Asbury Park area, not Seaside aka "The Jersey Shore"). I'm used to beautiful, sandy beaches with nice waves and plenty of room to toss a football or frisbee around with friends. I've checked out a few beaches since moving up to Massachusetts last summer, but most of the ones in a "short" drive from my apartment have tended to have more of an urban vibe, and have been more like a harbor/bay beach rather than an ocean beach. AKA - rocky shores and tiny waves. Nahant Beach was quite the surprise. The sand was gorgeous and soft, the water was perfectly cool, the beach was clean and not overcrowded. It was a very family oriented beach setting, with plenty of room to space out from other beach-goers and relax. After spending the day on the beach, my boyfriend and I biked around Nahant Island to check out some other gems of the area. We enjoyed subs at Seaside Pizza, lemon Italian Ice from Tides, swam by the huge rocks at 40 Steps Beach, and finished the night off with the sunset over the wharf. All-in-all, it was a perfectly relaxing day at the beach. Exactly what I am used to and absolutely my new go-to beach.

Sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex sex Pretty boring, huh? Yeah, just the same thing over and over. But still, that thing is interesting, so you keep looking back, letting out a smirk because it's kinda dirty and that's what makes it fun. This is Nahant Beach. Unlike repeated sex, though, getting to the beach is seriously cheap.

I really want to give this 3.5 stars but well, no half stars on yelp. It's close to Boston with super cheap parking that rarely fills up (like the good and $$ beach up north) It's a nice long stretch of sand, it gets rocky towards the bath house (scary by the way). There are porta-potties which are nasty, and a lame consession hot dog dude in the middle of the beach. It's pretty clean for a city beach, and big enough so you are not up in someone's sandy ass while trying to enjoy yourself.

I do have to say, I love this beach and I don't want to give it a good review because then you will come and take my parking space! The only bad thing about this beach. the SeaGulls ARE VULTURES!!!! DO NOT MESS UP MY DAY BY BRINGING YOUR SNACKS IN A FUCKING PLASTIC GROCERY BAG!!! THEY WILL RIP THE SHIT OUT OF IT AND OPEN UP ALL YOUR CHIPS!!!!! Get a backpack or a zippered top bag and put your stuff in it people!!!!! You need something with a lid!!! These fuckers will go right into your bag and take stuff out. I've seen them take bocce balls, flip flops and more. So don't think I'm foolin'. And stop feeding them! Are you insane??? This is my fourth year religiously going there...and I go like everyday... so I know the deal. Yes, this year and for the next two years there will be a shortage in parking. They are "widening" the causeway. They lost 300 parking spaces this year. And if you think 4 people per car...that's a lot of people that aren't at this beach that otherwise would be. This year has been VERY quiet and not overcrowded at all.

Ew. I'm not entirely sure why Nahant beach has such a good rep - maybe we went to a different part of the beach, but when I went this past weekend I was nothing short of repulsed. After getting stuck in traffic over the Tobin Bridge for an hour and a half, we finally made it to Nahant at around 11:30. Not surprisingly, the lot was completely full, so we drove down the road a little bit and found a spot nearby. The first thing we noticed upon walking up to the beach was the unavoidable, ever-so-permeating stench of fish. And not the kind that makes you want to eat it. We chose to ignore the smell, seeing the crowds of people, and walked onto the sand. The sand was sticky in the worst sense, so even the "dry" areas were damp and uninviting. After we set up shop a little bit away from the water, we surveyed the scene and noticed the next negative....the water legit looked like sewage. The cresting waves were brown. But given that we were determined to enjoy the experience, we eventually decided to head into the water. The temperature was pretty much the only good part about this place - it was very comfortable and really not cold at all. BUT....the seaweed swam around your ankles for a good five minutes as you waded in (but I mean, it's a beach, what do you expect?) and as we were deciding whether or not to take the plunge, my friend and I noticed three used love gloves floating around us. And then another one a few feet away. We promptly left, and I swear my bathroom STILL stinks of this place, even after my bathing suit was deep cleaned to the max...

Sitting here, while what feels like winter to me is only fall weather in boston, reminded me that I hadn't written about my trip to Nahant Beach yet! For a "beach" that is about 30 minutes away, the water temperature alone would have me coming back! Perfect water temperature. Just perfect!! Basically felt like a swimming pool with how warm it was!! I couldn't believe it! And this is coming from a CA girl ha ha BUT there aren't any waves here. This beach is a little more like a bay or lagoon or something along those lines. The waves are pretty much non existent, so if that is what you are looking for this is not the place. The funny thing about this beach though is how far up the beach the high tide is!! Literally we had to move our towels two times as the tide kept coming higher and higher up the beach. So if you go out swimming, be sure to come back sooner rather than later to move your stuff! Otherwise you will have to fight the seaguls in the water for your towels And the other thing this beach lacks is PARKING. Wow, we sat so long in the line to get into their parking lot, and you have to park there. You have no other options. It is such a pain, and you feel like you waste so much gas but ya...go EARLY to the beach for this reason! So go enjoy the warm warm atlantic ocean!! But this is no surf's up in the least bit for you CA natives ha ha

Best Beach near Boston... by far!!! Depending on the day and time, it can take 45min. to an hour to get there from Boston. 3 bucks to park is a steal, but on a weekend day be sure to get there early as there is limited parking. This also means that the beach never gets overly packed. Parking had also been more limited in recent years due to some major parking lot renovations... 3 years on the making and still not done. There's only one bath house which is moderately clean considering the volume. The water is always cold, but clean, the beach is usually really clean, but sometimes you have a lot of idiots who think the beach is a trashcan, can be hard to keep up. Usually the father away from the bathroom the more likely you'll encounter some beach trash. Bring a cooler with water and snacks, you'll want to stay awhile.

I've been living in the area for over two decades now and have never once come here. I'm not sure if it's because I'm spoiled from Revere Beach or Winthrop beach.. but i did not like Nahant Beach. First.. you had to pay?!? Really? I couldn't believe it.. it was mind boggling for me to pay for a public beach. As I stated earlier, it's most likely the fact that I am spoiled by Revere and Winthrop beach (both 5 stars by the way) that I was so flabbergasted by the charge. Also, the parking situation is horrible. I was stuck in a long line to get out of the parking area.. I'm talking 20 minutes stuck in the lot because it was so congested. There are so many other places to go to, Revere Beach, Winthrop Beach, Yirrel Beach or even Deer Island.. ALL FREE and equally as beautiful. This place is highly overrated.

"Hey, uh, you ladies from Lynn?" "Hmm. Not quite." "Oh really, wheh ah you from then?" "Well I'm from Jersey, my friend Heather is from New York, and Jaime here is from Shaaaaaaron." "Jersey. You Italian then?" "No, I'm ethnic but I'm not Italian...." The conversation continued for another ten minutes. I especially liked this part: "So, me and my boy here are going to go back to our friends there..." Me: "Oh yea, drink some Bud Light Limes?" "No. I don't really drink. You could say I'm in recovery." Aside from that fun conversation, I really enjoyed my time at Nahant Beach. Clean, except for the nasty Jersey-esque (but really Lynn) moms who smoke their Newports while yelling at their little girl to "get ovah heeeeeeuh." But that's to be expected. And apparently it's never completely packed. Awesome, because I LOVE to lay out and make sand angels. Or just spread out and pass out. I like lots of space. Worth the trip from Boston if you have a car! And if you have $3.

This beach would get five stars except for being shut out of parking. It happened twice to me this summer and only attempted to go here three times. I guess they used to have a lot more spaces (like thousands more) according to a regular. The beach is nice, the sand is soft and I really like it, when the high tide comes though you really lose almost the whole beach and people leave since there is no place to sit. I know there is a restaurant down the end of the beach but haven't gone, I just bring snacks, I think a snack bar would be a great idea here as I'd rather grab a burger from a snack bar then walk to a restaurant in my bathing suit! I do realllllly like this beach though. A OK!

Big fan of this beach. What's to like?? $3 parking short drive from Boston refurbished bathhouses food vendor relatively clean beaches This was my go-to beach for the summer 2012. I was a bit weary given some of the mentions of drug paraphernalia in reviews but I never saw that stuff in my many visits. I also dig on the shallow grade of the beach- during high tide you're left with only a few meters of beach but at low tide the beach is about 5 times bigger. And given how shallow it is, the water gets pretty warm comparatively. So stock your cooler and head down to Nahant. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the cops that cruise by looking for public drinking!

Went here for the first time yesterday and will definitely be back. Tons of open space, easy access, and parking is only $3! I'm sure it gets crowded on the weekends, which is why we came out on a Tuesday. There's a long stretch of sand that people were walking and running on. I'm going to bring a kite next time. It was relaxing to sit around and watch the tide fall until 6pm. Too bad there was so much trash on the beach. I knocked off a star for the multiple tampon applicators =/

Beautiful beach! I grew up on the north shore and have been coming here for years. Only $3 to park during the summer and free otherwise. It's almost as nice as the more expensive Cranes, Good harbor, Wingersheek, and costs a fraction of the price! One down side is there has been less parking due to continued construction which makes it difficult to park during the summer.

I think Nahant Beach is as good as it gets for a Boston-area beach, particularly when you're too lazy or last minute to go father out to RI and the Cape. Took us 30 min without traffic. I love Nahant Beach because it's a wide beach so there's lots of space -- you're not right up in your neighbors' grill. Sand is silky and nice. Very clean. Water is very calm and clear. There are clean restrooms, but the facilities could be a bit better (i.e., showers, changing rooms, etc.). Not a major issue, but not the most outstanding public facilities I've ever seen. There are restaurants nearby, but I'd definitely bring a cooler and snacks since the amenities aren't super convenient. Parking was $5 for the day, which I thought was reasonable. Overall, probably your best bet for a quick beach day.