Good Harbor Beach

99 Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA

Address:	99 Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
Phone:	+1 978-281-9785
Site:	gloucester-ma.gov
Rating:	4.6
Working:	6AM–5PM 6AM–5PM 6AM–5PM 6AM–5PM 6AM–5PM 6AM–5PM 6AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 15

Joshua Brickman

I believe that GHB is the best beach in MA, certainly on the North Shore. With its breath taking views, fun waves and the legendary creek (a natural "lazy river"), its a great take. That said a couple of important notes: Sometimes (not every year) Green Heads appear, especially near the Dunes. Bring bug spray in late July early August. If the beach is deserted (maybe on a grey day) the Seagulls get desperate. I saw someones slice of pizza literally taken out of their mouth! There are no trash recepticles (except near the large snack bar), bring your trash home!

Silas Frank

Great surf, water is often bracing but this is New England, if you dont like it then move south. My icon on this site is a pic of me at good harbor comfy in the sun in mid March one year, so its always different. Locals get a sticker, if you dont have one and want to go on either a hot or weekend day, best be on the road before 8am, but it is well worth it. At low tide you can walk out to salt island which is very cool (and also for sale for three quarter mill) and carry in what you carry out but there are bathrooms, showers, vendors, and a hearty snack bar.

Bill Bacon

This beach is fantastic. Parking is absurd at $30 but the city does a great job keeping the beach clean. Water is still frigid in July but its refreshing. You can walk to the island during low tide and get some great views of the beach. Richies slushes are also flavorful and not overly sweet (watermelon and blue raspberry at the best) and the buffalo chicken fingers are actually kind of spicy! We got there about 8:30 and there was plenty of parking, but the beach was almost full by 10. The beach isnt that big so it can get pretty tightly packed.

Deborah Duarte-Calorio

Beach is great for everyone! White, soft, clean sand. The water is clean and have and some strong awesome waves... Bring boogie boards and have fun in the surf. The side by the bridge is where the bigger waves are or If youre interested in surfing this is the spot to test it out. Theres a snack bar and they have pizza burgers drinks etc. There are locker room, and there are showers to rinse off. Its trash in, trash out, so be prepared for that. Parking is $20/car on popular days--the lot fills up and there are lifeguards.

Pratip Banerji

Great beach! Relatively clean, has a snack bar, toilets, and showers. Lots of tidal pools for very young children, and water that is relatively shallow pretty far out. Perfect for families. Parking is a little steep ($25), like most beaches around here. If you cant find a spot in the lot next to the beach (they were only open to residents by 11:30am when we went last weekend), you can park a half mile away in a parking lot near Long Beach and hike back. The parking attendants will tell you about this option if theyre full.

Corey Cochrane

Beach is beautiful and clean, with a wide expanse of sand to set up for the day. All activities were allowed that I could see (soccer, football, kan-jam, etc.) and there was plenty of room to enjoy these activities as well as walking along the water line. The parking lot at the beach is large, but there is a limit and the beach is very popular/crowded on the weekends. If you dont get there early to make sure you get a spot, you may have to come back later in the day to see if any parking has become available.

The Chris Taylor

Beautiful sandy beach with great views and lots of space. My family good multiple times every year. Fun to walk out to the nearby island on low tide. It does get crowded especially around the fourth of July weekend, so make sure you get there early or parking might already be full. Parking prices feel a little steep at $30 on the weekend. Would also be nice if they had another bathroom at the far end of the beach. Keep your flip flops with you if you walk across the beach cause the sand gets brutally hot.

Henry SooHoo

Parking on-site is $25. That is something to keep in mind if you bring a lot of stuff and dont want to lug it from a mile away where there might be free parking. If you can get over the price of parking, the beach is wonderful. It is very big so you will be able to stake out your own little area. The sand is smooth and devoid of rocks and the like. There are bathrooms and a small food stand on the path between the beach and the paid parking lot.

Richard Samuels

Beautiful, clean beach, with the best waves Ive encountered on the North Shore. The sand is soft and fine, the water is clear. Theres a big difference between high and low tides here: at low tide, theres a long, gradual slope into the water; at high tide, the beach is narrower, its a steeper slope into the water, and the waves break close to the shore and are moderately powerful. This beach can get crowded, but it is worth the trip.

Kunthea Prum

A really good beach especially by the cove. The beach is extremely well maintained and very clean and the water looks pristine clean but unfortunately is always too cold. The wave is too rough for swimming in the main beach but the cove provides perfect swimming condition if you dont mind the cold water. The cove area of the beach is the best part of the beach. There is even a small bridge that children can use as a diving platform.

Selvan KP

Beach is clean and maintained good. But the parking is very expensive 30$ at anytime and they poorly maintain their billing system, they accept only cash, no debit or credit card or any electronic form of credit is accepted. They dont give any receipt or any bill for the parking fee and more over billing counter was guarded by person in local police uniform. Im surprised how they will pay their tax in a right way!

Nicole Chase

My favorite New England by far. If youre a Gloucester resident, its free with the pass issued by the city, but if you live out of town (like me) its $25 to park each visit. I think its worth a visit at least 2-3 times a month in the summer though, regardless of price. Its so clean and beautiful. The waves are fun and theres also a nice little snack shack at the beginning of the boardwalk.

A Private User

this has to be one of the nicest beaches Ive ever seen. Its very flat, so the tide comes in pretty far. The area that the tide covers throughout the day stays wet for perfect sand castle building. When the tide is low, you can walk out to the island and climb to the top. I was there this past weekend (10/9/11), and because it was off season, dogs were allowed on the beach too! What fun!

Ben Zinssner

Very beautiful and there is a small river to swim in that acts like a lazy river. The waves are small and you cant surf or skim board. The only bad thing about the beach which is not the waves is parking, it is super hard to find a spot outside of the parking lot. Also, I believe that they changed it so that only the locals can park in the lot.

Marie Beckwith

i love this beach it has great scenery like the big houses and the pretty ocean and to the right all the way down the beach the tidal pool and bridge area.I love it but be careful it can be strong currents in the summer.It is also a great place for dogs in the off season because its so big it is awesome and you meet lots of other dogs to .