76°
Sunny
1%
71
Essex County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Crane Beach
290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938
Four miles of barrier-island sand on Ipswich Bay, managed by the Trustees of Reservations. Wide, gradual slope, fine white sand, and a 1,200-acre dune-and-pine-forest reservation behind it with hiking trails to the Castle Hill estate. Greenhead flies in late July are the price of admission.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
57°F water · 76°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 76. South wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Weather
- 76°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 57°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
67 /100
good
50 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
76°F
Clear
Wind
9 mph
S
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
82°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
57°F
Cold
Barometer
30.13 inHg
1020 hPa
Water Quality
Above threshold
548 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:07 AM
Sunset
8:15 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 AM | High | 10.0 ft |
| 8:06 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 2:22 PM | High | 8.7 ft |
| 8:11 PM | Low | 1.8 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
82°
Sunny
1%
71
83°
Mostly Sunny
0%
73
86°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
66
65°
Showers And Thunderstorms
76%
7
60°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
45
65°
Mostly Sunny
14%
63
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 57°F — dangerously cold
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Trustees lot at the entrance. Reservations strongly recommended summer weekends — book online.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited April 1 – September 30. Otherwise leashed access.
Entry Fee
$35/car weekday, $40/car weekend (peak season); $5 walk-in/bicycle; discounted after 4 PM. Free for Trustees members. Off-season access restricted to main beach; dogs prohibited in dunes, trails, and Steep Hill Beach year-round.
Address
290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Crane Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Crane Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Crane Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited April 1 – September 30. Otherwise leashed access.
Is there an entry fee at Crane Beach?
$35/car weekday, $40/car weekend (peak season); $5 walk-in/bicycle; discounted after 4 PM. Free for Trustees members. Off-season access restricted to main beach; dogs prohibited in dunes, trails, and Steep Hill Beach year-round.
Are there lifeguards at Crane Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Crane Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Crane Beach?
Amenities at Crane Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, picnic area, hiking trails.
When is the water warmest at Crane Beach?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Crane Beach located?
Crane Beach is in Essex County, MA, at 290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS