This Cape Cod Beach Was Named the Best in New England — and It's One of the Best in the Country, Too

Coast Guard Beach is the best beach in New England, according to Dr. Beach.

The New England region, which includes Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, is home to miles of gorgeous beaches to explore. (Yes, even Vermont.) But some stretches of sand are simply more spectacular than others, at least according to the expert source behind the website Dr. Beach.

For decades, the website has helped people discover the best beaches in the U.S., thanks to the work of coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman, who is also a professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. Leatherman created a ranking system that considers 50 criteria, including local water temperature, sand softness, the size of waves, the views, and the ease of public access to the beach, all of which factor into his decisions each year on which beaches belong on his list.

In 2024, after looking at all the data, Leatherman named Coast Guard Beach, located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as the No. 9 beach in the nation and the No. 1 in New England.

"Coast Guard Beach, accessible by bicycle or shuttle bus from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center, was formed where a sand spit attached to the glacial cliffs," Dr. Beach explained about his pick. "The sand is fairly coarse, so the beach slopes steeply into the water. The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view down upon the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay. During the summer, beach-goers take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean as water temperatures only reach 60-70 degrees."

The beach, which is part of the larger Cape Cod National Seashore, is well known as a swimmer's paradise in the summer months. As the National Park Service (NPS) website explained, the beach got its name thanks to the old Coast Guard building that stands on the dunes still overlooking the shoreline. Here, travelers can also spot some nesting shorebirds who make it their home over the summer season. Just keep an eye out while you're in the water, as plenty of seals and sharks call it home too, per the NPS.

There is one more perk for locals. While tourists need to take that shuttle, there is a small parking lot on the beach restricted to local residents only (or those with a handicap placard) in the summer. But even if you aren't from here, the beach is absolutely worth the extra effort of hopping on a quick shuttle ride.

As for where else you should explore, Dr. Beach named Hawaii’s Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu as the best in the nation. So perhaps you can plan two getaways and compare them for yourself. 

Related: 20 Best Weekend Getaways in New England

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