Carson Beach
South Boston, MA
Carson Beach is the western anchor of South Boston's three mile string of harbor beaches along Day Boulevard, with a bathhouse, a wide swath of sand, and views over Dorchester Bay. Lifeguards work the swim area in summer, and the walkway that links to M Street and Pleasure Bay makes it easy to stretch a visit into a long walk.
Free, transit accessible, and long enough to spread out on, it is one of the best urban beaches in the country; the summer crowds and the occasional post storm water quality advisory are the tradeoffs.
How we score beachesThe Carson lots are more reliable than Castle Island's, which tends to fill by mid morning on summer weekends. Head to the far end of the sand for more space.
Free lots and street parking are available along Day Boulevard. The Castle Island end fills first, so the Carson end is usually the easier bet.
A paved path runs along the shoreline with access to the sand, and a bathhouse sits at the beach. The beach itself is regular soft sand.
Leashed dogs are allowed year round outside the lifeguarded swim beaches, which are off limits to dogs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Summer is the season for swimming, and the harbor water is at its warmest in August. The walkway makes a fine winter shoreline stroll too.
More Atlantic Coast beaches
Coast Guard Beach
Eastham, MA · Atlantic Coast
A National Seashore beach backed by grassy dunes and a tidal marsh, with clean Atlantic surf and one of the Cape's most scenic approaches on foot from the parking area.
Surfside Beach
Nantucket, MA · Atlantic Coast
Open Atlantic swell and a wide sandy shoreline about three miles from Nantucket town, popular with locals for its bodysurfing waves and quieter, less commercial feel.
Jones Beach State Park
Wantagh, NY · Atlantic Coast
A classic Long Island beach with six and a half miles of shoreline, a landmark water tower, boardwalk, and a large outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts through the summer.