2012 Cape Ann Guide – Experience Cape Ann…serving Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport. Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
Issue link: http://capeannguide.epubxp.com/i/68289
Beaches of Cape Ann GLOUCESTER CRESSY'S BEACH AT STAGE FORT PARK Rte 127 (Western Avenue) to Hough Avenue. More rocky than sandy, Cressy's Beach has great views of Gloucester Harbor. In Stage Fort Park you'll find families and couples enjoying cookouts, picnics and playing Frisbee on the wide open lawns. Dogs are allowed in the park but not on the beach (except in winter). GOOD HARBOR BEACH Rte 127A (Thatcher Road). Silky white sands cover this spacious breathtaking beach. Almost tropical looking, Good Harbor is picture perfect at sunrise, sunset or moonrise. Walk the sandbar at low tide and explore the rocky slopes of nearby Salt Island. HALF MOON BEACH AT STAGE FORT PARK Rte 127 (Western Avenue) to Hough Avenue. Admire passing sailboats from this intimate, some say romantic, sandy beach with usually gentle surf. Surrounded by a rocky hill with stepping stones, Half Moon enjoys seclusion from the rest of the park. There are abundant shady spots should you seek relief from the sun. LONG BEACH Rte 127A (Thatcher Road to Rockport Road). This beach is shared by Gloucester and Rockport. About a mile long, this beach offers a splendid view of Thacher Island's twin lighthouses. Investigate the tide pools or take a casual stroll, soaking in the sun. The beach is lined with quaint New England beach houses and inns. NILES BEACH Eastern Point Road. A small beach, Niles requires a resident sticker for parking, unless you can walk from another location. Not usually crowded, you can enjoy diving and sun worship without a lot of fuss. PAVILION BEACH Eastern end of Stacy Boulevard Site of Gloucester's famous Fishermen's Statue, you'll enjoy watching sailboats and motorboats cruising towards the channel. Pavilion is just a short walk to Gloucester's downtown, full of restaurants and shops, waiting for you to explore. The beach is a mix of sand and stones. PLUM COVE BEACH Washington Street (Rte 127) in the northern part of Gloucester, near Lanesville. Plum Cove also requires a resident sticker for parking. It overlooks Ipswich Bay and is great for 'getting away from it all,' diving or exploring the coastline. WINGAERSHEEK BEACH Rte 133 to Concord Street to Atlantic Street Somehow Wingaersheek radiates a cozy feeling ROCKPORT BACK BEACH Main Street to Beach Street. Beautiful views and kelp covered rocks surround this beach, known for its scuba diving opportunities. Submerge and explore the hidden world under the water, or relax on the sand enjoying the sun on your skin. CAPE HEDGE BEACH Rte 127A to end of Seaview Street. A long secluded, rocky beach as smooth sand is minimal at high tide. Normally a quiet beach, Cape Hedge is located about a mile away from Rockport's many exclusive shops and restau- rants. Very limited parking. FRONT BEACH Main Street to Beach Street, Downtown Rockport. Situated on Sandy Bay, Front Beach offers good swimming with a soft bottom. When the tide is in, sandy beach space is limited. Parking is at street meters only. This beach is just around the corner from fabulous shopping and restaurants. OLD GARDEN BEACH Rte 127A to Norwood Road to Old Garden Road. A rocky beach, Old Garden offers solitude and relaxation. Boulders sit atop the sand but don't obstruct the beautiful view. Small grassy area for picnics or games. Very limited parking. PEBBLE BEACH Rte 127A to South Street split, left on Penzance Road, right on Ruthern Way, right on Penzance again. Mostly smooth pebbles and stones blanket this long beach. Scour the rocks for shells or bring your binoculars to capture views of Cape Ann's variety of sea loving birds. Rocky reef just offshore where divers enjoy 20 to 30 foot depths. Street parking available along beach front. MANCHESTER SINGING BEACH Rte 127 to end of Beach Street. This immaculate beach will have you singing as you look at the clear blue waters and white sands. Enjoy a thirst quenching Slurpie or Italian ice at the snack bar. Be forewarned, the parking area is for residents so you may have to walk from the center of town to enjoy this beach. Everyone does it! $5 walk-on fee. TEXT BY TERRY WEBER *please refer to the maps on pgs 38-42 for locations GOOD HARBOR BEACH FOOTBRIDGE www.capeannchamber.com | www.capeannvacations.com | www.rockportusa.com 45 GOOD HARBOR BEACH though it's not a tiny beach. Both kids and adults will enjoy wading in the tidal pools and spotting crabs scuttling about the big rocks for climbing. If you arrive at low tide, enjoy a walk on the sandbar that extends from the beach towards the harbor. FRONT BEACH GOOD HARBOR BEACH BOARDWALK