Spectacle Island Beach
Boston, MA
Spectacle Island is the Boston Harbor island rebuilt from Big Dig fill, ringed with beaches and about five miles of shoreline trails. It has the only designated swimming beach in the harbor islands, with a lifeguard from late June through Labor Day weekend. Ferries run from Long Wharf, and the beach is gravel, so water shoes are worth bringing.
A ferry ride, a real swimming beach, and skyline views make it one of Boston's best day trips, though the gravel beach and the ferry schedule take some planning.
How we score beachesBring water shoes, since the beach is gravel rather than sand. The ferry ride from Long Wharf is part of the day.
Reached by ferry from Long Wharf in Boston, May to October. There is no parking on the island.
Ferry access, with a visitor center and restrooms on the island. The swimming beach is a short walk from the dock over gravel.
Ferries run May through October. Lifeguards work the swim area from late June through Labor Day weekend.
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