Wollaston Beach

Beach · Quincy

Wollaston Beach

Beach · Quincy

1

Quincy, MA

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Highlights

Historic beach with paved promenade, seafood, and sunset views  

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Last updated

Sep 8, 2025

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Greater Boston’s longest beach fronts Quincy Bay with a shoreline path and nearby Caddy Park. Recent reports note improved water quality, and DCR posts seasonal lifeguard schedules for this convenient South Shore option.

https://www.mass.gov/locations/quincy-shores-reservation
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View Postcard for Wollaston Beach

Krissy M

Google
Free, adequate parking and great seafood (Tony’s > Clam Box, always). Great for walking and watching the sunset but not the ideal beach day as the sand is pretty rocky and water is often unsafe to swim in due to bacteria levels. Draws a big crowd in the summer.

Peter Zografos

Google
Wollaston Beach is the perfect place to go for a nice, inexpensive day of fun in the sun. Read from the beach there is a beautiful view of the city! There is free parking for Miles along the seawall. Public restrooms, lifeguards on duty during season. Nice restaurants with great lobster rolls, seafood & drinks. Handicap parking and ramps are available.

Elizabeth S

Google
It’s a decent beach for the city. Across the street from the beach, there’s an ice cream pallet and two clam shacks where you can get everything and anything pizza salad salads fried food lobster rolls. They have indoor and outdoor dining as well. Plenty of parking one or two lifeguards on duty during the day . they have cleaned up the sand and added more sand.

Kathryn Carter

Google
Fine beach, not for swimming, wouldn’t recommend for families.

Joshua

Google
The beach is very long with plenty of areas for people to relax. Sometimes the water quality isn't perfect, and the sand isn't the best, but there is free parking all along the road which is nice! But I guess it could be a bit noisy. There are also public bathrooms but might need to walk a bit to get to them.

Kevin Rousseau

Google
Enjoyed a nice walk along the beach. Plenty of wildlife and good views. Free parking along the seawall and a few choices of restaurants right across the street.

Arijit Choudhury

Google
I love this beach nice clam . However day by day I can see more crowd . It a nice walk in the seashore . Since I live in Quincy so this is a close proximity . Water is not that clean however my son love to play in the sand .

David C

Google
An excellent area for walking and jogging in the afternoons. The distance of 4+ miles is just right for a good workout without feeling overwhelmed. Of course, the good view along the beach adds points to the experience. Being a city dude from out of town, I could have easily given an higher review if not because of amount of smoking in the parking areas... I guess I can't ask for too much. 😅😅😅
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Lizzie Y.

Yelp
I grew up walking distance from Wolly Beach so it was a nightly routine after dinner for us to walk as a family, up and down the beach haha. This isn't a swimming beach. Water is pretty dirty here & sand... not great. The sand has lots of rocks but I mean I have brought a towel and tanned here before, so it's fine. Just wouldn't recommend going in the water. It's great place to just stop by and watch the sunset or grab some nice food from Tony's or the Clam Box. If you live nearby, it's a great 2 mile jogging route ;) Parking: Plenty of parking! & free too!
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Jacki R.

Yelp
Very few people and free parking. During the week, the birds outnumbered the sunbathers (July). Not super soft sand-certainly some small rocks and shells, but not boulders like elsewhere on the coast of Mass. Apparently not for swimming, according to some of the other reviews but there was a lifeguard walking up and down and people in the water. I put my feet in-SUPER cold water!!!
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Ronnie C.

Yelp
Always an amazing time out here--unbeatable views, great food, and miles of hiking trails right along the ocean. Grateful for the peace, the fresh air, and the reset it brings every time.

Bonnie T.

Yelp
I felt compelled to write a review for the 4 awesome familiar faced lifeguards at Wollaston Beach; Colleen, Ethan, Colin, and Michael. These Lifeguards were alert attentive and diligent. Always politely patrolling the beach keeping safety a priority. It is nice to see responsible hard work young people displaying such traits and values that came natural to them. They made quite an impression. Thank you Colleen, Ethan, Colin, and Michael. keep up the great work. You should be commended. Looking forward to seeing you again this season. Bonnie and Mike Kimball

Katie O.

Yelp
Nice spot.. easy parking.. good if you don't want to hike to the beach in the south shore!
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Mark T.

Yelp
Two words: "Free Parking". I'll let you in on a secret: I don't like the beach, at least not in the traditional sense. The water up here is quite cold for swimming, and via doing nothing, I go mad within the hour. When I go to the beach, I go to walk or bike and breath some fresh air while I'm at it. The path alongside the beach is great for a walk or bike ride... though depending on your bike, those lines in the concrete (contraction joints, as it turns out they are named) may make for a less than stellar ride. It's about four miles long, which is just between "wait, I finished it already?" and "Oh Wow! I can see the Great Wall of China from here... now how to I get back?" Alas, there's not too many places to get a bite to eat, but there are a couple if you work up an appetite from all that biking. Baja Box is a favorite, at least with me and a friend of mine. They also have restrooms open during the season. Just basic, clean facilities run by DCR, nothing fancy-shamancy, but certainly enough to get the job done. Of yes, did I mention there is free parking!? There may be beaches with more pristine waters and sands, beaches that have boardwalks teeming with cute little shops and restaurants, this is not it. This is not a beach you spend a whole day at... then again, I'm not a beach lover, so how would I know? For a couple hours though, it is perfect!
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Jane C.

Yelp
I came here with a few friends to watch the sunset and hang out. There's free parking along the street. The distance from the street to the water is pretty short but the beach itself is long enough that you can safely social distance as long as it's not super crowded. It wasn't too crowded when I went (Thursday 8pm). The sunset is really pretty and you can see the Boston skyline from certain angles.
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Fox E.

Yelp
Not to be confused with the Swole-Last-One beach, which is the Last One I reviewed, and had lots of sexy swole guys on it. One of the very best beaches in the Boston area - it's gorgeous and lush and long and perfect and a little bit more quiet than Revere Beach at times. I definitely love Quincy Beach, it has a name that reminds me of Australia, and I definitely like hanging out here. It's a little on the old people side, whereas Revere is a little more exciting.
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Bunyaporn T.

Yelp
Beach is ok. It is not a sandy beach, very . We ended up at another beach for the rest of our trip.
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Karen 2.

Yelp
pretty nice & scenic views at this beach. wasn't very busy. probs wouldn't swim here tho. sand had some rocks & shells.
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Sergio F.

Yelp
I went to the famous "Wolly Beach" this July 4th weekend with Sharon to check out the fireworks at a less congested space than the Esplanade. Being located on Quincy Harbor, we gain the added benefit of checking out the pyrotechnics from Marina Point and Waltham as well as individual fireworks on the beach. It's located right off Quincy Shore Drive, so parking can be a challenge. There are a few spots, and if you're lucky you can find parking in some of the residential streets a few blocks west, since they aren't marked for residents only. Having read her review about water quality, I understand why we didn't go for an evening swim :) It's similar to Matheson Hammock in the Gables that it's somewhat closed. Great company not withstanding, I'm giving Wolly just 4 stars. Besides the parking issue, there could be a few more food stands. Though I enjoyed the raspberry lime Rickey, they only two restaurants are an ice cream shop and crab place. There were long lines at both. Some culinary variety would be nice. Still and all, this must be a great place to catch an Indian Summer Full Moon!
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Julie M.

Yelp
I really like this beach because you can do so many things. you can set up a spot to sun bathe, you can push in a small row boat or kayak, or even put a net up and play a game with friends. The beach is lined with parking spots and a sidewalk to walk the entire length of without having to get your feet sandy. There's a few seafood places that are great eats also.
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Tracy B.

Yelp
Have grown up frequenting Wollaston, my Dad grew up on the beach (Literally - he lived in the house across from the Yacht Club) so he was always taking me there to see it & hang out.... It hasnt changed much except they have improved on the Parking & Washing Stations... Went the other day & the beach was all rocky & dirty & I was soo disappointed... I want to love it more than Revere (closer to home), but it wasnt all pretty like it used to be... Maybe it was just due to High Tide... But am often in the area & trying to get my son used to the beach & the water, so will def be back to visit... Just some tips:Park near the wash off station so you dont have to track sand into your car... And Tonys is the better shop for Clams...
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Marty R.

Yelp
The good: 1) Wollaston Beach is BEAUTIFUL - all year round. Nice cool running path in the warmer months. Great to walk around a dog in the cooler months. 2) There's plenty of activities going on in the summer: beach yoga, movies, festivals. 3) There are decent food options - Tony's Clam Shop, Cafe Maddie, the Baja Box (cheap ice cream) 4) Lots of free parking. If you get there before 10am, it's very likely you'll find a spot. The bad: 1) To swim or not to swim? Yes, there may be the occasional feces outbreak or pathogen watch, so actually swimming in the water may not be recommended, but the Water Authority did say that Wolly Beach met swimming standards 90% of the time in the past five years (see link below). They also post no swimming signs when the water levels aren't monitored. In sum, swimming there probably won't kill you. 2) There are no public bathrooms!! And you wonder why fecal matter is sometimes found in the ocean?!? This is seriously a problem. I mean, yes, you can probably find a nearby restaurant, buy a burger and use their bathroom, but there are some 1/2 miles stretches where there is NOTHING but houses. I'd recommend emptying your bowels before you take a trip there. Trust me, you won't regret it. (http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/harbor/pdf/wollaston_factsheet.pdf)
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Renee L.

Yelp
I am not a Quincy native, nor am I a native of any neighboring Boston city, and even I know this beach is NOT meant for swimming. You can forego my warning, but you'd run the risk of crawling out of the water with an extra arm, leg, or tail. Although the bacteria levels of the water are concerning, the beach serves as a brilliant jogging route that spans about 2 miles each way and is home to an incredible sunset. The people of Quincy are lucky to have had this gem around them while growing up! It doesn't matter if it's a weekday or weekend, the beach walkway is full of residents who want to get out and wind down after a long day.
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Henry P.

Yelp
New England Classic! I would not go in the water, but it is great for a walk and cigar. Lots of places to eat food or ice cream and a good place to people watch.
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Nandanie S.

Yelp
I'm from Boston. Dorchester, to be exact. As most of you know, Dorchester is just right across the Neponset, and with Wolly Beach being so close, my family and I often frequented the area during the summer months. I now live in Quincy, and it's quite close to my apartment. When I was younger, we would play in the water all the time. Then it got polluted at some point with sewage, there was red tide for a few summers, then it was eventually cleaned up well and filled with clean sand. I don't go in the water anymore...I just walk on the sand if I want to or just sit and people watch. More than anything, I walk the length of beach for exercise, and it's a great place to do just that. It's roughly 3 miles one way, and it's quite refreshing. Other reasons for visiting Wolly Beach are The Clam Box, The Ice Box, and Tony's Clam Shoppe. People are usually divided about which clam spot to go to, but I'm a neutral kinda person, and I happen to like both. Prices and portions are similar and the food is just so good. Wolly Beach is a spot to hang, go for a walk, people watch or a place to gaze at the skyline to the west, Harbor Islands to the east, and the lighthouse that's dead center of the beach. People go fishing all the time too, which I won't ever ever do - I just don't trust the water to be clean enough. Oh! There's also a playground across the street up on a tiny hill. If you want to bring your kids to play, it's a good spot. Not so great at night because it's not very well lit. It's cute, and tucked away from the summer beach craziness.
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Trish F.

Yelp
I uh.. I uh.. yeah. I came here one night (chicky check out the picture.. pretty) and it was fricking MAKE OUT central. People were sitting in the lifeguard chair making out.. there was a couple tumbling around on a blanket by the water.. another few couples were playing feelsies on the concrete divide between the road and the beach.. and I saw a few couples totally doing whoknowswhat in their cars parked along the beach. Whatsahappening? Wollaston Beach baby boom? So I've heard they've done some major renovations on this beach.. even importing sand.. but.. I don't know. Once bad water.. always bad water to me. If they somehow go one hundred years without polluting it further.. I'll let my cryogenically frozen self (well.. recently unfrozen of course) wander along the beach. Until then.. I'll keep out. I wanted to walk along the beach but after seeing shards of glass lining a couple feet by the divider, I decided to just breath in the air (hopefully non toxic) and enjoy the view. I might have explored more if I wasn't wearing flip flops. But I'd stick to admiring it from the sidewalk or bringing a thick blanket to lay down on the sand. 2 stars.. "Meh. I've experienced better." Sayeth Yelp.
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Nerissa G.

Yelp
I love this beach! Exercising here is great, especially with the beautiful ocean views and Boston skyline. The casual seafood and ice cream joints along the way are also a big plus. There's free parking too, so you can't go wrong with that...
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Emily D.

Yelp
When I moved to Quincy.. I was so psyched about living so close to Wollaston Beach. We can walk from our home which is fabulous. If you ever need to drive to Wollaston.. there is tons of parking along side the beach.. but on those hot summer days.. the parking just never seems to be enough for this busy beach. What I love most about the beach is the great side walk with plenty of seating. You can just walk your dog or just sit and people/pet watch. The sand is great to lay out and get some sun.. but I'm not tempted to go into the water. In the beginning of the summer the water doesn't smell too great and I'm not a fan of Boston beach water. I don't mind sunbathing or picnicking with the hubby. On those hot days you'll find the Tiki Slushie Hut selling slushies with different flavors. And if you're feeling hungry.. just walk up to the many different seafood and bar food joints. You must try Tony's Clam Shop...the best jumbo fried shrimp! Yummm! Wollaston beach is great place to chill when the weather is nice.

Andy E.

Yelp
I think I must have had a unique experience here. I found it unsafe, even in a small group of people, and would never go here alone. Actually, I don't plan to come back at all. The sand is dirty, and the entire vibe is gross. There's a bad smell, and constant traffic, even after 6p, and unsavory characters roaming around (not sure if gangs, as I'm unfamiliar with the area, but you know about groups of bad vibe people dotted about). The views of the skyline are beautiful, and I tried focusing on the water and the views until the bad vibes became too much. If you enjoy it, excellent! I, however, feel the need to warn fellow women about the vibes, as that's the opposite of what I seek in a beach outing.
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Rhonda A.

Yelp
I mean it wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't the greatest either. I don't know where the tide was the day that we went, but it was non existent. Didn't mean to come here, but had a hit and run accident earlier in the day. By the time the police showed up for the report, it was too late to head out to Cape Cod. So we ended up here. It wasn't crowded. It could be because we got there at like 4pm. It was a nice place to just sit, relax, and shoot the breeze. Don't sit too close to the wall or someone walking down the street may spit on you..
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Mary I.

Yelp
Nice little beach in Quincy. This is a good place to come for a walk or take pictures, or just hang out and relax for a few hours. There is a nice view of Boston! Would come back!
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Miguel A.

Yelp
The water quality of this beach has improved greatly since the 1980s but you still have to worry about it if it rains too much or if there is red tide (which usually will close the beach in the summer.) While the parking is free it is a preverbal pain in the neck to get a good parking spot and backing out into traffic can be troublesome but hey at least its free right? There's a couple of really good seafood joints right across the street and while expensive the food is really good. Personally I would not swim in this beach but I would lay out and get a tan. Sometimes in low tide you will see clamdiggers digging for clams. Summary: Your typical below average Massachusetts beach.

D M.

Yelp
This beach sucks! Water is dirty and gross! Go to the Cape, Martha's Vineyard, Newport-cliffwalk, Ogunquit, Hampton beach, etc. You'll see what a real beach is like!
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Sharon V.

Yelp
I have been going to this beach most of my life. It is a great place to have some yummy food or ice cream at Tony's or The Clam Box. There is a playground for the children across the street from the beach and a bath house is open in the summer. You have gorgeous views of Boston in the distance. Some people swim in the water, but I don't take that chance. I guess some people love that dirty water. TIPS: Dogs are not allowed on the beach from Memorial Day - September. Most people think it is a quick walk from the Wollaston T Station, however it is not. It is about a 30 min walk. I am sure in the age of Uber you can get a quick ride down the beach and spend the day. There is a Dunkin Donuts and CVS located towards the end of the beach which is a plus for snacks etc. There are also events during the summer down the beach for families which is great!
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Danielle D.

Yelp
I can't get over the changes in Wollaston Beach. It's actually clean . The people that go there go to have fun with their kids or sit and chat and work on their tans ( Like I do with Friends ) . But, it's very clean and relaxing . You can get the most beautiful pics of the sun rise or sun set here. The flowers are kept up and very pretty :) . I am just shocked at the changes ...for the better. Even the sand is cleaner
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pauline l.

Yelp
This is one of the best public gathering spots in Quincy -- probably the only gathering spot that attracts all kinds of people from all different backgrounds. You might not want to swim here and the sand is pretty bad. But this beach is pretty great for many forms of recreation. For runners, the sidewalk next to it is fairly flat and makes for a great, easy jogging/running path; they plow the sidewalk fairly promptly in the winter; and it also has these large, flat stones right next to the sidewalk that are great for training on. In the summer, the beach can be a very lively center for public gathering, and there are some decent restaurants along the road. It's hardly a dream of a beach, but as a place where Quincy residents can go to have picnics, fly kites, run with their dogs, or just hang out when the weather's nice, it beats any of the city's other parks hands down.
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Vic G.

Yelp
Wolly beach has it's share of pluses and minuses. The very critical me always starts with bad news first: Sand: 2 stars If it's a beach, it has to have sand. For a man made beach, I wish they had put good sand here. For the 2 months of nice weather we get that allows us to dare and get into the atlantic from anywhere we can, the quality of sand at wolly beach is not good. More pebbles and rocks than what you really want. So if you are into taking a dip with your flip flops on, give it a shot. Mind the rocks though. Water: 3 stars It is good old Atlantic of the upper east coast. It is fine. Depending on the tide and the sunlight, it can sometimes give you the illusion of being clear, but I won't judge the waters up here too much. I personally haven't gone swimming on this beach because it is not that big a beach where you can swim and not be enshrined in the "people who swam in the waters of wolly beach" list. I am good for now. Here starts the good part! Walks / Runs / Jogs: 5 stars Totally renovated recently (a year+ now), Wolly beach has possibly the best side walks along Quincy Shore drive to walk and jog along. Very friendly crowd, every local and visitor is very accommodating and attitude free. I can vouch for many an easy jogs that I have jogged back and forth from mid May through mid September. Love it. Food: 4 stars A couple of great options for fried sea food lovers are almost always jam packed during evening and lunch hours and of course the weekends. Parking near them is an absolute challenge as should be expected. But they do serve some good fried grub and when i am in the mood to indulge, I stop over with friends to enjoy the great people watching while adding to my daily bad calorie intake. In a nutshell, Wolly Beach is in my back yard but as they say, grass is greener on the other side. I stick to the private beach in front of my house which is almost always clear to swim in because of the location (it's a bay). And if I really want a 'baskin in the sun and on real sand' kinda day, I drive to Nantasket beach which is such a blessing for us folks on the south shore who don't frequent the cape as much. Else, South Beach is just a 3 hr plane ride away.
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Ashley A.

Yelp
It's not the prettiest beach, but it will make do if you're near the Quincy area. I've come during lunchtime from work, I've been able to find parking both times. (Parking is free by the way). Just make sure you come on a hot sunny day with a blanket since the beach is somewhat rocky.
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Diana G.

Yelp
I never used to go to Wollaston Beach other than for fried clams, but last week, I finally went for the first time. I liked it so much I went back the next day! If you go on a weekday, it is very quiet. I found a good spot near the yacht clubs where I read a book, watched boats, and worked on the tan all afternoon! Wollaston Beach is also a nice place to go walking now that all the construction is finished. Overall, it's a nice beach for the city, and considering the gas prices these days, I'm happy that it's only 5 minutes away from my house...
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Louis C.

Yelp
Wollaston Beach has had a makeover and a half over the past few years. They've actually imported nice sand, redone the beach wall and put in new seating areas. It's somewhere that you can now actually walk along and not find hypodermic needles and condom wrappers on the ground. The beach draws in plenty of walkers since it's something like 2.3 miles from one end to the other. Bikers (both HD riders and crotch rockets) can be seen in groups in the summer time lining up across from the restaurants that are located across the street. Growing up in Quincy in the 80's we were not allowed to swim in this water for fear of coming out with a new set of eyes and a shade of green. Now, it's allegedly safe to swim in but I don't think that I would still. I probably won't let my kids swim in it either someday, even if a Clorox bleach tanker went down in the water.
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Jess K.

Yelp
I went to Wollaston Beach today because I wanted to relax at a beach that was less than 1/2 hour from the city. The second we pulled up I knew we had made the wrong choice. The sand is all rocky and coarse. You can see the sanitation plant from the "beach." The sound of ocean waves is covered up by the constant hum of traffic. Gross and not worth the drive. And I'm sorry, "Nice beach if you don't want to swim" doesn't cut it for me. Beach = sand & water. If I can't swim, it's NOT the beach.
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Jennifer D.

Yelp
I have had a tough day and to relax, I want to go for a walk. One of my favorite places to walk, that is close to my house, is Wollaston Beach. After all the construction and mess there, it is finally done. On a nice sunny day, it is a great place to walk. There is parking and some clam shacks across the street. I grew up in the Boston area so I have reservations about swimming in the harbor but some people do. (I also can't swim but that's not the point.) There is usually an eclectic mix of kids, old men in t-shirts, walkers, runners, parents with kids to make it interesting if you want to watch the people.
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Tanya Y.

Yelp
There isn't really anything superior about Wollaston; the sand isn't the best, no one really swims in this water, nor is there a fun-bright-shining boardwalk to stroll along at night. But, the atmosphere, Clam Box, and the memories I've had here are just enough to make me rate this 4 stars here on Yelp. Everyone in this area that I've encountered is friendly and usually sitting on the stone wall, walking along the shore or sidewalk, or hanging out with their dogs. Parking has never been an issue here for me, with plenty of spaces lining the beach. Right across the street sits Johnny's, The Clam Box, and Tony's Clam Shack, which are great places to get a local taste of seafood fare. My friends and I are usually eating a lemon slush and soaking in the glorious feeling of summer. Although not one of the best beaches in the world, it still remains as one of my favorites =) I will be back for a countless number of times to come.
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Murph A.

Yelp
I give it three stars cuz theres some good food on that strip. Tony's Clam Shop is bomb. Clam box isnt bad and the beachcomber is booming on nights when they have live music. Okay. Booming for Quincy. If you want to check it out, check out one of those spots first and then go walk off the fried food waiting to attack your thighs on the boardwalk. Now that I'm thinking of it.. the view isnt half bad.. okay Wollie Beach.. you get one more star. The sand sucks... its like... walking on... sandpaper (see what I did there?). So rocky and not enjoyable at all. The water is riddled with jellyfish and even when it isnt, I am pretty sure its riddled with syphyllis. I wouldnt swim there if you paid me. No thanks. If I go there I stay on the walkways or run on the beach in sneakers. I agree that its improved.. but its still got a ways to go.
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Erik M.

Yelp
I hate to take a dump on Wollaston Beach but... First, I would like to comment on the physical aspects of the beach. The sand is fairly course and there are lots of rocks scattered throughout the beach area. Finding a place to lay your towel and bake your skin in the sun should not be an issue since the beach never seems to be densely populated. In March a nearby sewage plant had to dump 12 million gallons of raw sewage into the water nearby. The heavy rains left them with two choices, to flush the excess out to sea or to feed it back into the homes of millions of people who have Boston public water. Congrats water commission you made the right choice. In a nut shell. Its OK for for laying out, less so for throwing a ball around, and I would think it would be a good idea to not go for a swim. I understand Wollaston is an urban beach and my expectations cannot be set too high but the reason for my two star review is the Wollaston beach culture. We all know Mass residents are known as being Massholes on the road for being rude, inconsiderate, overly aggressive, and uneducated on the road (whats a turn signal?). But some of this breed manages to complete a metamorphosis once they step out of their cars and become MassTrash. And Wollaston Beach is MassTrash central. I run the Shore Drive almost daily and when Summer rolls around I always think to find a different running route. I am not a fan of men in their 40's hanging out with teenagers who back their GMC Jimmy's into a spot along the beach so they can open up their hatchback and blast Eminem as they eye the females on the beach. If you are going to play voyeurism then at least go chill on the sand and not make it painfully obvious. MassTrash. Or if you don't like to dodge a groups of people freestyling to their blasting system on the sidewalk. MassTrash. Or if you think hanging out with a group of teenage girls who say things like "I can't believe she hit the gas" is not a good time you might want to soak up the sun elsewhere. If you are in Boston and you want to make the most of a day at the beach consider heading to Rhode Island were you will find amazing beaches full of people. If you want to hit up a beach that is not packed try to Old Orchard Beach in Maine where you will be sure to find a spot to toss a ball or catch a frisbee along its seven mile beachfront. If you don't have a car Wollaston Beach is as good as any beach in the Boston area.
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Jessi R.

Yelp
It's relatively clean, as long as you pay attention to the water conditions (water gets unsafe...it's part of the deal with humans screwing up the planet). The "sand" is rocky though, so it's not great to walk on if you're barefoot. The sidewalk along the shore is great for walking any time of the day; definitely be ware of bikes, dogs, and kids. Right across Quincy Shore drive are a selection of fried seafood and ice cream places to satisfy your food cravings. The views of the Harbor Islands on clear days is spectacular. Speaking of views, you can't beat the view on July 4--an almost 360 degree view of the surrounding communities' fireworks displays, a great view of the Boston fireworks without the crowds, and local beach fireworks, you can't go wrong. if you want parking, get here early and make a day of it with your family/friends.
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Alyssa F.

Yelp
Growing up on Cape Cod my expectation of what a decent beach is would probably be higher than the average persons. For that reason, I'm going to go easy on this beach. I decided to go to Wollaston beach today for my first time. My only reasoning for choosing to go there was because it's only about a 5 minute drive from my Quincy apartment. I've driven past it several times so I knew exactly what to expect as far as the amount of beach there actually is. Just a pretty small area with lots of hot, rocky sand. Since the beach wasn't very crowded, this wasn't at all a problem. There were even a few games of volleyball going on slightly further up the beach! The atmosphere was actually very nice and lively. As far as swimming goes. I did choose to go in the water, and really it wasn't all that bad. Of course there are much nice and cleaner beaches one could choose to go to, but if you're looking for a convenient beach to visit for a couple of hours it's really not a bad choice.
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Irene B.

Yelp
This is a good beach to just sit around and hang out or play frisbee. The water is murky (from mud not gross stuff). But it's pretty shallow and the bottom is uneven and difficult to walk on. Was really hoping it was a bit better for swimming. No waves, so it's great for kids.
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Becca V.

Yelp
Good for runners. I run here all the time. I come here as many times as I can to get some sun and to feel the ocean breeze. Although the water is not nice for swimming it is a great place for a beach picnic and just about any type of exercise. I cannot wait to get back...that is when the sun finally makes an appearance again. : )
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Richard P.

Yelp
The dog and I drove out to Wollaston Beach today for a swim and a romp-around. The water was surprisingly clean for being a low-ish tide. Since we stayed off of the public beach, I didn't mind having my doggie run around off-leash. For being so close to the city, this is actually a pretty decent spot to swim/sun-bathe. There is ample parking along the swimming-beaches, and along the parks, there are larger lots which seemed pretty vacant for being a scorching hot holiday weekend.
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Kylie C.

Yelp
I love Wollaston beach. I come here in the summer. There's a park across the Street. There's some restaurants. Me and my mom love the clam box. I like the ice cream , and my mom likes fried clams. My auntie lives next to the beach.
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Melanie M.

Yelp
This place is absolutely breath taking! It's my go to place in Boston in the summer. The beach has clean white sand but closer to the water it's gravel based. I wouldn't recommend swimming in this water but you definitely can. To me this place is just so much more enjoyable taking in the breathtaking views and smelling the crisp sea air. Please make sure you come here early and partake in some of the amazing food this area has to offer. There are two seafood places and both are so very delicious! Please do yourself a favor in the warmer months and head to Wollaston Beach... It's really a hidden gem in Boston.
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David S.

Yelp
Well, when I came to school in Boston, you definitely did NOT want to come to Wolly Beach at low tide. We did fish for flounder though. Lots of people did back then. It's nice to have a beach walking distance away, however, the beach is dusty when dry, muddy when wet.
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Rob D.

Yelp
I run here regularly and few times a year hit the clam spots with family. I get confused over the people complaining about kids and music, ITS A BEACH!!ITS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!!!the water is like all beaches in the city, not very nice but everything else about the beach is great!
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Gina T.

Yelp
I am used to the nice beaches of RI, but if you are looking for just a day to tan at the beach, this one is fine. The sand is kind of rough and there are a lot of rocks, I recommend wearing sandals when you walk around. The beach is pretty open and spacious. The water wasn't very inviting so I didn't go swimming. I ranked this beach a 4 because it has free parking, and it isn't a far commute. I would go back.

Kristin G.

Yelp
This is a great place to people watch, and a great place to go running/walking. It's great to have a beach so close to my apartment! It's not really accessible by T- it would be about a 2 mile walk- but there are busses that will take you there. There's plenty of bars and seafood restaurants along the strip. I'm not sure how clean the water is for swimming- but I know that there's been a MASSIVE "clean the beach" project going on, so the place actually looks nice! Overall, it's a great beach not too far from the city to go and catch some rays or work up a sweat.
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Justin M.

Yelp
I like this beach for its view of Boston, convenient parking, and decent fishing. It is nice having the skyline on the horizon as you walk the beach, the wall, or the walkway. Moved to Quincy 6 years ago and I've enjoyed my close proximity to the beach (~10 minute walk). Though you aren't supposed to swim in the ocean after a storm due to the runoff into the water, it is an excellent place to swim otherwise. Nice stretch of beach that adds some charm and community to Quincy's often fragmented population make-up. Good place to meet people, congregate at night, and hang out. Good beach food in the area also a plus.