Plum Island Point Beach
Newburyport, MA
Plum Island Point Beach sits at the north end of the island in Newburyport, where the Atlantic meets the mouth of the Merrimack River. The granite jetty and the Plum Island lighthouse are right there, and a playground sits beside the lot. Beachcombers and fishermen share the sand with a steady stream of boats heading out to sea.
The jetty, lighthouse, and dog friendly rules make it a favorite for walks, though the fast changing tides and sandbar make it a poor pick for a swim.
How we score beachesStay close to shore and out of the river and off the sandbar. The tides change quickly here and there is a steep drop a few feet into the water, so this is better for walking than swimming.
The Plum Island Point lot at 278 Northern Boulevard holds 121 cars and is first come, first served, right beside the playground and restrooms.
The lot is next to the beach, restrooms, and playground, but the last stretch to the water is soft sand.
Dogs are allowed on a six foot leash on the Newburyport section of the beach, with upper beach areas roped off during piping plover nesting from April through August.
Cool Gulf of Maine water keeps swimming to the hottest weeks of summer. Fall is a good time for the jetty and lighthouse walk, once summer crowds thin out.
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