73°
Mostly Sunny
1%
75
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
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 50%.
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
71°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Next High Tide
9:06 PM
9.7 ft · in 6.3h
Barometer
30.06 inHg
1018 hPa
Water Quality
Above threshold
326 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo 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
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:06 AM
Sunset
8:25 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
71°
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
44%
17
73°
Chance Rain Showers
27%
67
77°
Mostly Sunny
6%
77
81°
Mostly Sunny
2%
77
85°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
19%
44
85°
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
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
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island).
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
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.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS