Pleasure Bay Beach
South Boston, MA
Pleasure Bay is the sheltered basin on the inside of the causeway that loops from Castle Island, a half mile promenade wrapped around a calm swimming cove in South Boston. The water sits still on windy days, and the walk around the loop, with Fort Independence at one end, is one of the best free strolls in the city.
The calm cove, the fort, and a hot dog stand a short walk away make it a South Boston institution; the only real drawback is summer weekend parking.
How we score beachesDo the causeway loop first, then swim on the calm side. If the Castle Island lot is full, park at Carson or M Street and walk east.
Free lots and street parking along Day Boulevard. The Castle Island lot tends to fill by mid morning on summer weekends.
The causeway is a paved walkway that is easy for strollers and wheelchairs. The sand is regular soft beach sand.
Leashed dogs are allowed year round outside the lifeguarded swim beaches, which are off limits to dogs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The protected cove warms up a little faster than the open harbor by midsummer. Fall weekends are surprisingly pleasant, with fewer crowds and clear air.
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