Essex County, MA · Atlantic Ocean

Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)

39 Refuge Road, Ipswich, MA 01938

The southern tip of Plum Island, a 77-acre state reservation reached only through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Sand, salt marsh, and tidal flats with an end-of-the-road feel — and a 15-space lot to keep it that way.

Today's Conditions

Decent day for photography.

NWS alert active · 47% rain · 81°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 81, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 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 patchy 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 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Weather

81°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

35 /100

24 Swim

38 Sunbathe

51 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

Get Directions View on Google Maps Open in Apple Maps

Atmosphere

Air Temp

81°F

Light Rain and Fog/Mist

Wind

18 mph

Rain

47%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

5 Moderate

Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~40m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 03 PM

Tomorrow

80°F

Sunny

Water

Water Temp

68°F

Refreshing

Next Low Tide

9:18 PM

0.3 ft · in 8m

Wave Height

2.0 ft

ESE swell

Barometer

29.80 inHg

1009 hPa

Water Quality

Above threshold

326 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 9mo ago

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ251)

The BOX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

MAZ022 Barnstable MA — Chatham, Eastham, and Provincetown n/a
MAZ024 Nantucket MA — Nantucket n/a
MAZ023 Dukes MA — Edgartown and Aquinnah n/a
MAZ020 Southern Bristol MA — Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford n/a
RIZ007 Newport RI — Newport, Middletown, and Little Compton n/a
RIZ006 Washington RI — Narragansett, Charlestown, and Westerly n/a
RIZ008 Block Island RI — Block Island n/a
MAZ019 Eastern Plymouth MA — Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Kingston, n/a
MAZ015 Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA — Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, n/a
MAZ007 Eastern Essex MA — Beverly, Gloucester, and Newburyport n/a

NWS SRF · BOX · Issued Jul 18, 8:11 PM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:20 AM

Sunset

8:17 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

81°

Smoke

47%

Sun Jul 19

80°

Sunny

Mon Jul 20

81°

Sunny

Tue Jul 21

80°

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

31%

Wed Jul 22

81°

Rain Showers

86%

Thu Jul 23

79°

Chance Rain Showers

30%

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

Access through the Parker River NWR gate; $5/vehicle daily refuge fee (or $20 annual). Sandy Point lot has ~15 spaces.

Dogs

No dogs at Sandy Point (year-round). Parker River NWR also prohibits pets.

Entry Fee

$5 daily refuge entrance (Parker River NWR)

Address

39 Refuge Road, Ipswich, MA 01938

Amenities

restrooms

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) today?

Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) dog-friendly?

No dogs at Sandy Point (year-round). Parker River NWR also prohibits pets.

Is there an entry fee at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)?

$5 daily refuge entrance (Parker River NWR)

Are there lifeguards at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)?

No lifeguards are stationed at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)?

Amenities at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) include restrooms.

When is the water warmest at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)?

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 Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) located?

Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) is in Essex County, MA, at 39 Refuge Road, Ipswich, MA 01938.