73°
Mostly Sunny
1%
75
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.
73°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind 2 to 8 mph.
Tonight
Scattered rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
72 /100
great
60 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.9 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
73°F
Clear
Wind
2 to 8 mph
S
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–02 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
70°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Next Low Tide
2:45 PM
1.8 ft · in 2m
Barometer
30.06 inHg
1018 hPa
Water Quality
Above threshold
548 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:06 AM
Sunset
8:24 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:40 AM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 8:54 AM | High | 8.5 ft |
| 2:45 PM | Low | 1.8 ft |
| 9:06 PM | High | 9.7 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
70°
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
43%
17
73°
Chance Rain Showers
27%
67
77°
Mostly Sunny
6%
77
84°
Mostly Sunny
2%
77
87°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
19%
75
88°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
18%
71
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 61°F
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