Long Beach
Rockport, MA
Long Beach stretches about a mile along the Rockport and Gloucester line, backed by a seawall and a row of summer cottages. It is a mix of sand and cobble with tidal pools and a salt marsh creek behind it. Thacher Island's twin lighthouses sit offshore, and the morning light here is a good reason to walk it early.
Long views of the twin lighthouses and a proper mile of shore make it a local favorite, but resident only parking keeps visitors out in season.
How we score beachesParking is resident only on both sides of the town line in summer, and neither town honors the other's sticker. Park at Front Beach in Rockport village and walk down, or come in the off season.
The lots are resident only in summer on both the Rockport and Gloucester sides, so non-residents will need to walk in from town or a nearby neighborhood.
The beach sits below a seawall, so the entry involves steps or ramps from the street. Check on site if you need level access.
Summer is the busy season when the water is at its warmest, but still cool. Fall and winter walks here are quiet, with big seas after a storm.
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