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	Water quality at Boston Harbor beaches CITY SWIMMERS SHOULD be happy to hear that, thanks to long-standing cleanup and monitoring efforts, the water quality at Boston Harbor beaches has improved dramatically over the past decade. The number of days that beaches are closed due to water-quality issues has continued to decline. In fact, last year, most Boston Harbor beaches met swimming standards more than 90 percent of the time. Water quality is tested weekly, and flags let visitors know when the waters are safe for swimming. Blue flags indicate good swimming conditions, and red flags indicate a potential water-quality problem. Swimming is discouraged for 24 hours after a red-flag posting or after a rainstorm of a half-inch or more. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Water Quality Hotline, at (617) 626-4972, also provides updates for Boston Harbor beaches. — GR

NORTH OF BOSTON

Crane Beach (Argilla Road, Ipswich, 978-356-4354). The white sands of picturesque Crane Beach stretch for miles along both sides of Castle Neck. In addition to being a favorite refuge for swimmers and sunbathers, the beach is an important wildlife habitat, particularly for the endangered piping plover.

More than 1200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest are managed by the Trustees of Reservations for both recreation and conservation. Five miles of trails will lead you through an elaborate dune complex featuring swales that support amphibians, invertebrates, cranberries, and even insect-eating carnivorous plants.

Extensive facilities include lifeguards and rangers, bike racks, bathhouses, outdoor showers, picnic tables, the Crane Beach Store (selling refreshments and merchandise), an information kiosk, and transportation for mobility-impaired visitors. Parking is $10 to $20 per car.

Visitors will want to be aware of greenhead (biting horsefly) season, which usually runs from mid July through the first week in August. The annoying insects are more prevalent on hot, muggy days when there is no breeze. But always pack repellent just in case.

Good Harbor Beach (Thatcher Road, Route 127A, Gloucester, 978-283-1601). One of the most popular beaches in New England, this long, sprawling expanse offers lovely white sand and a sweeping view of the Atlantic. There is plenty of room to spread out, thanks to limited parking, which keeps crowds at bay. There are often good waves for body surfing, and the dunes and marshes that surround the beach add to its natural beauty.

Facilities include a concessions stand, restrooms, and lifeguards. Parking (again, get here early!) is $15 to $25. A cab ride from the Gloucester train station on the Rockport line is longer than to Half Moon Beach (below).

Half Moon Beach (Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, 978-281-9790). A short cab ride from the Gloucester train station, this beach is part of Stage Fort Park, the historic site of Gloucester’s first settlers. Beach-goers who want to limit their sun exposure will love the trees, which shade the back of the beach almost all day. The park has a playground for children and trails that wander among remarkable rock ledges. The park’s Cupboard Restaurant, a favorite of locals, offers award-winning fried food and sandwiches.

Facilities include an information center, restrooms, and an area for grilling (bring your own). Parking is $10 per car.

Plum Island (Route 1A, Newburyport, 978-465-5753). Plum Island is a popular destination, thanks to its miles of public sandy beaches, grassy dunes, and the 4662-acre Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Home to more than 800 species of birds, plants, and animals, the refuge is an important nesting area for the endangered piping plover and the least tern (a species of special concern in Massachusetts). On the southern tip of Plum Island lies Sandy Point, a beautiful beach perfect for swimming, sunning, or exploring tidal pools.

Facilities include restrooms and lifeguards. Paid parking (typically $3 to $6) is available at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Sandy Point, or in private parking lots. To provide maximum protection for endangered species, the federal government may close the entire beach at Parker River Refuge during nesting season; call (978) 465-5753 for dates.

After hitting the beach, consider spending a few hours in nearby downtown Newburyport, which offers a number of shopping treasures. Picnickers and fans of Formaggio Kitchen will want to seek out the Grand Trunk Market for its assortment of aged cheeses, cured meats, pâtés, fresh breads, olives, and chocolates. Meanwhile, Mary Jane carries unique, vintage-inspired women’s clothing and shoes similar to what you’d find at Anthropologie.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation (Beach Road, Route 1A, Salisbury, 877-422-6762 or 978-462-4481; www.mass.gov/massparks). This 521-acre state park on the Atlantic Ocean and the Merrimack River offers a surprisingly tranquil retreat for both swimming and sunning. A long boardwalk crosses sand dunes, bringing visitors to what feels like a private beach. There is plenty of room to stretch out — even when the equally attractive state reservation in neighboring Hampton, New Hampshire, is full to capacity.

Facilities include a 484-site campground with renovated bathhouses, restrooms, lifeguards, paid parking, and a concessions area. The beach is handicapped-accessible.

Just a short drive up Route 1A, you’ll find Salisbury Center, which is home to the state’s last remaining seaside amusement park. Pirate’s Fun Park has a small Ferris wheel, bumper boats, a go-cart track, a carousel, a haunted ride, and a number of other traditional favorites. You can also cruise the midway for concessions and old-school games such as the ring toss.

Salisbury Center is also home to several large arcades and numerous food stands featuring fried dough, ice cream, pizza, hot dogs, fresh lemonade, saltwater taffy, fried clams, and slushies.

Singing Beach (off Route 127, Manchester-by-the-Sea, 978-283-1601). Tucked away in a quaint Cape Ann village, this beach gets its name from its sand, which "sings" (think "squeaks") when you walk on it. A sandy spot on an otherwise rocky coastline, Singing Beach has long been popular with car-less city folk. That’s because it’s a reasonable walk from the Manchester stop on the Rockport commuter line. In fact, the train is really the best way to reach the beach, as parking is very limited.

Facilities include restrooms, a concession stand, and lifeguards.

Wingaersheek Beach (Atlantic Street, Gloucester). Framed by the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay, this long, flat beach offers a beautiful tranquil setting and a view of the New Hampshire shoreline. Wingaersheek is a perennial favorite for families with small children. A gradual drop-off means that you can wade and play in shallow water even far from the coast, and the bay’s protection keeps waves small and gentle. Meanwhile, rock ledges offer numerous tidal pools to explore.

Facilities include a concessions area, lifeguards, and restrooms. The limited paid parking (get here early!) is typically $10 to $25.

SOUTH OF THE CITY

Duxbury Beach (Canal Street off Route 139N, Duxbury, 781-837-3112). Duxbury Beach is another spot that seems to have it all. Only 30 minutes south of the city, this big, beautiful beach has bleached white sand, (seemingly) warmer water, and plenty of birds to watch. And then there’s Farfars, a nearby Danish ice-cream stand cited by several city dwellers as reason enough for a road trip.

At the beach itself, you can count on restrooms, lifeguards, food, and very reasonable (about $8) parking.

Nantasket Beach (Nantasket Avenue off Route 228, Hull, 617-722-5500 or 617-727-8856). Nantasket Beach has welcomed city dwellers since the middle of the 19th century. Though the beach itself is somewhat small, it’s worth checking out for its place in history. Now-defunct Paragon Park once thrived here, when Hull was a premier resort and amusement destination. Visitors can still take a whirl on the 1920s Paragon Carousel, located across the street from the beach.

There are restrooms, lifeguards, food, and both free and paid parking.

Plymouth Beach (Warren Avenue, Route 3A, Plymouth, 508-830-4045). This three-mile sandy beach offers views of Saquish Neck to the northwest and Manomet Bluffs to the southeast. There are lifeguards, concessions, a bathhouse, and paid parking.

Genevieve Rajewski can be reached at ticktockwordshop@comcast.net