Church's Beach
Gosnold, MA
Church's Beach is the main public beach on Cuttyhunk Island, a narrow sandy arm between Cuttyhunk Pond and Buzzards Bay, part of the town of Gosnold. Waves roll in from the west while the harbor sits to the east. You reach it by taking the ferry from New Bedford, which runs about an hour.
A ferry ride to a nearly car free island beach is a rare experience, though the schedule and limited services need planning.
How we score beachesCheck the ferry schedule before you commit, and plan around the last return boat. There are no cars, so travel light.
There is no parking or beach lot. Most visitors arrive on the Cuttyhunk ferry from New Bedford and walk from the dock.
The beach is a short walk from the harbor on flat roads. Facilities are limited on the island.
Buzzards Bay water is at its warmest in August, and the ferry runs most reliably in summer.
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