Gloucester Beaches

06/17/2026

Attention Beach-Goers!

The following Gloucester Beaches are Open:
Good Harbor Main Beach
Wingaersheek Beach
Cressy's Beach
Niles Beach
Half Moon Beach
Pavilion Beach
Plum Cove

The Following Beaches are Closed:
Good Harbor Creek is currently closed due to a bacterial exceedance.

You can learn more about closures on our website here: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/1443/Beach-Testing

We will update this posting when the creek reopens. Thank you for your patience and enjoy the open beaches!

The Gloucester Health Department acts to protect the public from diseases associated with pathogenic agents and hazardous chemicals at public swimming areas. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 445 regarding Bathing Beaches is enforced by the Gloucester Heal...

06/05/2026

Do you have questions about resident beach stickers or parking reservations? We are here to help!

Please call us at 978-325-5157 for all your Gloucester beach related inquiries.

05/19/2026

Attention Beach-goers!

Good Harbor Beach parking lot is FULL as of Tuesday, May 19th at 12PM.

Reminder that the parking lots are not staffed until Memorial Day weekend, so parking is at your own risk.

Please take this information into consideration when making your beach day plans.

05/07/2026

Resident Beach Stickers are here!

UPDATED QR CODE BELOW

Come to City Hall at the hours listed below to get your resident beach sticker for the summer. You can find them at the Collector's Window on the First Floor.

Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 8:30AM - 3:30PM
Thursday - 8:30AM - 6:00PM
Friday - 8:30AM - 12:00PM

Reminder, you can always skip the line and get your beach stickers online! Scan the QR code below or visit our website to get yours: https://gloucesterma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1082

05/04/2026

Resident Beach Stickers are here!

Come to City Hall at the hours listed below to get your resident beach sticker for the summer. You can find them at the Collector's Window on the First Floor.

Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 8:30AM - 3:30PM
Thursday - 8:30AM - 6:00PM
Friday - 8:30AM - 12:00PM

Reminder, you can always skip the line and get your beach stickers online! Scan the QR code below or visit our website to get yours: https://gloucesterma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1082

05/01/2026

Resident Beach Sticker Reminder!

In person resident beach stickers will be available at City Hall starting Monday, May 4th. Visit us at the Collector's Window on the first floor during these hours:
Monday - Wednesday 8:30AM - 3:30PM
Thursday - 8:30AM - 6:00PM
Friday - 8:30AM - 12:00PM

Remember - cash or check only! Resident stickers are $20 and expire 12/31/26. Senior resident stickers are $5 and expire 12/31/30.

Or you can skip the line entirely and get your beach sticker online right now by visiting our website: https://gloucesterma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1082

See you next week!

04/27/2026

Welcome back, Gloucester beach goers!

What a beautiful day to kick off the start of Resident Beach Sticker season. Starting today, April 27th, Gloucester residents can visit our website to get their 2026 resident beach sticker: https://gloucesterma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1082

In person stickers will be available at City Hall starting Monday, May 4th. Visit us at the Collector's Window on the first floor to get your stickers in person. Hours will be:
Monday - Wed: 8:30AM - 3:30PM
Thursday: 8:30AM - 6:00PM
Friday: 8:30AM - 12:00PM
In person sales are CASH or CHECK ONLY.

As a reminder, resident stickers are $20.00 and expire on 12/31/26. Senior stickers are $5.00 and expire 12/31/2030. Please remember to show residency when buying a sticker, you will need your vehicle registration (and lease documents if the vehicle is leased.) Non-Resident property owners will need registration PLUS: Tax Bill *OR* Property Deed *OR* Schedule of Beneficiaries *OR* Trust Document where the property owner’s name MUST match the name on the vehicle registration. Spouses/Partners/Children MUST have their names on the deed to be eligible for a sticker.

Call us or email us with questions at 978-325-5157 or [email protected]. For more information on our beaches, check out our website here: https://gloucester-ma.gov/299/Beach-Information

The City of Gloucester welcomes you to our beautiful, award-winning beaches and wants your visit to be memorable. Gloucester is a premier spot for beachgoers visiting from near and far. 

11/14/2025

10/15/2025

Here is when dogs are allowed at the beach🐶🏖

⛱Good Harbor Beach: Dogs are allowed from October 1st to March 31st - off leash days on even-numbered days!

🐾Wingaersheek Beach: Dogs are allowed from October 1st to April 30th - off leash days on odd-numbered days!

🐕 Plum Cove and Cressy Beaches: Unleashed dogs are allowed from October 1st to April 30th!

🦀 Crab Beach: Dogs are allowed off leash at all times!

Learn more at the link: https://bit.ly/3MT0INj

09/03/2025

Noticing a strong smell around East Gloucester? 🌊

We’re aware of the strong odor in East Gloucester. The smell is coming from an invasive Japanese seaweed called Heterosiphonia japonica. When it washes ashore and decays, it releases a rotten egg-like odor that can seem concerning, but it’s a natural process.

Last week’s hurricane winds pushed large amounts of this seaweed onto our shores, and high tides carried it into the Good Harbor estuary. Without another strong tide to pull it back out, it’s sitting and decomposing, which is what you’re smelling. The odor should fade as the seaweed breaks down.