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

Skip the beach today.

NWS alert active · 47% rain · 77°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Smoke and a chance of rain showers before 5pm, then smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 71 in the afternoon. South wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

Smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then areas of smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and midnight, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Weather

77°F air — ideal beach weather
47% rain — rain likely at some point
18 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything

Water

68°F water — swimmable, refreshing

Safety

NWS alert active — air quality alert issued july 17 at 6:08pm edt by nws boston/norton ma

34 /100

skip

23 Swim

37 Sunbathe

50 Walk

64 Photo

Best for photography today

Water level 0.8 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.

NOAA station 8443970 · Observed 9.38 ft · Predicted 8.56 ft

Weather alert in effect

Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 6:08PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

77°F

Light Rain and Fog/Mist

Wind

18 mph

Rain

47%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

5 Moderate

Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 04 PM

Tomorrow

77°F

Sunny

Water

Water Temp

68°F

Refreshing

Next Low Tide

9:18 PM

0.3 ft · in 17m

Wave Height

2.0 ft

ESE swell

Barometer

29.80 inHg

1009 hPa

Water Quality

Clean

10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 10mo ago

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:20 AM

Sunset

8:16 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
2:40 AM	High	11.0 ft
8:57 AM	Low	-0.5 ft
3:15 PM	High	10.3 ft
9:18 PM	Low	0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:33 AM	High	10.4 ft
9:46 AM	Low	-0.0 ft
4:06 PM	High	10.2 ft
10:13 PM	Low	0.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:27 AM	High	9.8 ft
10:37 AM	Low	0.6 ft
4:57 PM	High	10.0 ft
11:10 PM	Low	0.9 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:23 AM	High	9.2 ft
11:28 AM	Low	1.1 ft
5:48 PM	High	9.7 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:07 AM	Low	1.1 ft
6:21 AM	High	8.7 ft
12:20 PM	Low	1.6 ft
6:41 PM	High	9.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:05 AM	Low	1.3 ft
7:19 AM	High	8.3 ft
1:13 PM	Low	2.0 ft
7:34 PM	High	9.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:03 AM	Low	1.4 ft
8:18 AM	High	8.1 ft
2:07 PM	Low	2.2 ft
8:28 PM	High	9.4 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8443970, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 18

77°

Smoke

47%

Sun Jul 19

77°

Sunny

Mon Jul 20

77°

Sunny

Tue Jul 21

76°

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

30%

Wed Jul 22

81°

Rain Showers

86%

Thu Jul 23

79°

Chance Rain Showers

34%

Fri Jul 24

77°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

18%

What to Bring Today

recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 18 mph wind
recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 68°F
optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 47% rain chance

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

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnack bar

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Good Harbor Beach today?

Good Harbor Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

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.