good harbor beach

My Chicago dog has been having the time of her life running free on this incredible long stretch of beautiful beach.It is like nothing you have ever seen.Sadly, they now only allow dogs to be off leash on even days of the week (since January) and only during the months off season.But, it is fantastic and I love it.You will too.

As far as New England beaches go, Good Harbor is hard to beat. The sand is great and the wave action is mild. The gentle slope of the beach makes it very kid safe. There's a snack bar on the beach that is reasonably priced. At the northern end there's also another snack bar so there are 2 food options. There are also bathroom facilities centrally located. The cons are that all Gloucester beaches are carry in/ carry out meaning you MUST take all you trash out with you. Additionally, the parking lot gets filled VERY quickly on summer weekends. So unless you're a local (I am), plan on being there before 10am or you will NOT get a parking spot. Parking is about $25/day

I love this beach! The beach is really wide and the sand is soft and white. What a surprise for a New England beach. I've been here twice and it was in November so I don't know what the water is like. At least there was plenty of parking!

This is a beautiful beach all year round! Of course in the summer it's perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and "riding the creek." Time your visit when the tide is rapidly going in or out and use your boogie board to ride the current under the footbridge. When the tide is fully out, a land bridge appears in front of Salt Island, which is a fun area to explore. Don't climb all the way up Salt Island- it's covered in poison ivy. The beach itself is sandy, expansive, and easy to swim. Small snack bar available during summer. Unlike the Cape, the beaches of Gloucester seem largely unspoiled by hordes of tourists.The off-season is also just as fun. Great place to walk the dogs, and everyone is super friendly. Plus, free to park. Switch up your morning routine and get up extra early, grab a hot coffee at Dunks, park on the curb of Nautilus Road and enjoy the sunrise and/or ocean view from the warmth of your car!

This should be called GREAT Harbor Beach. It's ever so pretty, especially if you're staying at the Vista for three nights and watching the moonlight reflected on the sea from your balcony terrace with a glass of wine in your hand. In May the weather was divine but the beach was never crowded.

I am not a beach person, but everyone in my family loves it here. Parking costs, but views are great.

Too crowded in season, unless you like the summer beach scene, in which case it will be perfect for you. But you can walk out to Salt Island at low tide, and see the twin lighthouses of Thacher island from the beach, and if you go in the off season it is a nice long beach on which to have a run.

The pristine beach literally has no undertow and it great for swimming and families. At low tide you can follow a wide, hidden sand bar, exposed only at low tide, which you can follow and discover a beautiful little island. Look down along the way and you will see lots of little hermit crabs, sometimes even baby lobsters (illegal to take). Fun to body surf at high tide in the 3-4' swells. One of the areas best sandy beaches with dunes, a little footbridge, tons of parking, good food available across the street and a very strict CARRY in and CARRY out - no trash barrels so it is up to you to take it with you.

A lovely beach with fabulous views of cliffs and off-shore islands. Like most of the beaches in the area, there is a lot more mud than sand.

Love this place. Never have the need to travel to another beach. Dog friendly on off season. Parking a bit expensive but worth it even if you're not spending the whole day.

This is a great beach for children. There was a pool of water near the entrance to the beach where many children played in the shallow water.

This picture perfect north-shore beach is framed on one side by a pretty island and the other with a peninsula with beautiful homes. We visited on an unusually warm day in late September and arrived before 10 a.m. When we left around 2 p.m., the parking lot was completely full. We have attempted to get into this beach in prime season around 11 a.m. and they are already turning people away. Come early and enjoy!

Water was still warm to swim in September, fun watching the tide come in and finding lots of critters. The waves were beautiful as are the homes on the rocks. Very scenic. There needs to be more garbage facilities as teens left a lot of garbage on the beach!

Was my favorite beach growing up there. Nice sandy bottom and great waves. August and September are the warmest water months.

Absolutely beautiful beach, clean, nice and sandy, great view. Water can be chilly since it's right on the ocean but it's not too bad. Reasonable amount of surf for this area. People get in some surfing early in the morning before the main crowd of swimmers arrives. Parking is a problem as it is at all local beaches. Parking in the beach lot is $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends. Local motels offer discount coupons. I usually bicycle in. Not a bad option, drop your gear and all except the driver off at the beach and have one person ride a bike in. There's free parking further along the shore road to the South but it's at least 1 1/2 miles away. Follow the road and after awhile you can take a right turn and find parking. It's not that far that a person can't walk but leave your gear at the beach first. There's a decent bathroom and outdoor showers at the beach and a snack bar but I'd certainly bring my own liquids and probably food as well. The beach itself is big but there is little privacy. Before July 4th and after Labor Day I feel OK taking my top off but in mid-summer it's not possible. On the South side of the beach is a kind of fun foot bridge over a tidal stream that makes a nice place for children to wade and the water is deep enough at high tide for adults to do a little swimming if the ocean is really too cold for you. If you do bring food make sure you bring a sturdy container to keep it in. The seagulls are very resourceful and very aggressive. A visit early in the AM or after dinner is worth it. The views are beautiful anytime. Sunset is neat but of course it sets in the West not over he water. Also a great place anytime of year for walking or running or biking along the shore road. There are pizza type places within walking distance of the footbridge.