76°
Sunny
1%
71
Essex County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Good Harbor Beach
Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930
A half-mile of sand in East Gloucester with Salt Island just offshore — at low tide a sandbar appears and you can walk out. Open-ocean swell, livelier surf than Wingaersheek, and a postcard view of the island. The Gloucester locals' favorite.
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 10 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–02 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
79°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
57°F
Cold
Barometer
30.13 inHg
1020 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 9mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:06 AM
Sunset
8:14 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
79°
Sunny
1%
71
81°
Mostly Sunny
0%
73
85°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
20%
66
66°
Showers And Thunderstorms
75%
7
61°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
23%
45
64°
Mostly Sunny
14%
55
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
City lot — 2026 rates: $30 weekday / $35 weekend (8 AM–5 PM); $20/$25 partial after 3 PM. Reservations required Memorial Day–Labor Day via Blinkay; cash no longer accepted.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited May 1 – September 30. October 1 – March 31: leashed permitted, with unleashed dogs allowed only on EVEN-numbered days at Good Harbor. Salt Island accessible at low tide.
Entry Fee
Per-vehicle parking + $5 walk-in pedestrian fee for non-residents in season.
Address
Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Good Harbor Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Good Harbor Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Good Harbor Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited May 1 – September 30. October 1 – March 31: leashed permitted, with unleashed dogs allowed only on EVEN-numbered days at Good Harbor. Salt Island accessible at low tide.
Is there an entry fee at Good Harbor Beach?
Per-vehicle parking + $5 walk-in pedestrian fee for non-residents in season.
Are there lifeguards at Good Harbor Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Good Harbor Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Good Harbor Beach?
Amenities at Good Harbor Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar.
When is the water warmest at Good Harbor 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 Good Harbor Beach located?
Good Harbor Beach is in Essex County, MA, at Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS