Essex County, MA · Atlantic Ocean

Salisbury Beach State Reservation

1 Beach Road, Salisbury, MA 01952

Massachusetts' northernmost state beach: nearly four miles of sand at the mouth of the Merrimack River with one of the largest oceanfront state campgrounds in New England.

Today's Conditions

Decent day for photography.

NWS alert active · 49% rain · 82°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 82, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 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 9pm, then patchy smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 10pm, then areas of smoke and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 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 66. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Weather

82°F air — ideal beach weather
49% rain — rain likely at some point

Safety

NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 2:57pm edt until july 19 at 8:00am edt by nws gray me

50 /100

44 Sunbathe

53 Walk

46 Fish

67 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

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:57PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gray ME

NWS · In effect through Jul 19, 12:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt and seas 6 to 9 ft. * WHERE...Coastal Waters from Stonington, ME to Port Clyde, ME out 25 NM, Coastal Waters from Port Clyde, ME to Cape Elizabeth, ME out 25 NM and Coastal Waters from Cape Elizabeth, ME to Merrimack River, MA out 25 NM. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

Get Directions View on Google Maps Open in Apple Maps

Atmosphere

Air Temp

82°F

Light Rain and Fog/Mist

Wind

15 mph

Rain

49%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

5 Moderate

Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 04 PM

Tomorrow

79°F

Sunny

Water

Water Temp

—

Next Low Tide

9:18 PM

0.3 ft · in 8m

Water Quality

Clean

33 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus

USGS · sampled 8mo ago

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

82°

Smoke

49%

Sun Jul 19

79°

Sunny

Mon Jul 20

81°

Sunny

Tue Jul 21

79°

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

30%

Wed Jul 22

78°

Rain Showers

86%

Thu Jul 23

77°

Chance Rain Showers

27%

Fri Jul 24

76°

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

17%

What to Bring Today

recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 49% rain chance

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Best Fishing Times Today

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Minor

10:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Major

3:20 AM - 5:20 AM

Minor

9:50 AM - 10:50 AM

Major

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Beach Info

Parking

Vehicle entry fee Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day. Confirm current rate at the gate.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited on the beach during the open season; leashed dogs allowed in the campground and on trails in the off-season.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

1 Beach Road, Salisbury, MA 01952

Amenities

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerscampgroundpicnic areafishing

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Salisbury Beach State Reservation today?

Salisbury Beach State Reservation 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 Salisbury Beach State Reservation dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited on the beach during the open season; leashed dogs allowed in the campground and on trails in the off-season.

Is there an entry fee at Salisbury Beach State Reservation?

Entry to Salisbury Beach State Reservation is free.

Are there lifeguards at Salisbury Beach State Reservation?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Salisbury Beach State Reservation during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Salisbury Beach State Reservation?

Amenities at Salisbury Beach State Reservation include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, campground, picnic area, fishing.

When is the water warmest at Salisbury Beach State Reservation?

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 Salisbury Beach State Reservation located?

Salisbury Beach State Reservation is in Essex County, MA, at 1 Beach Road, Salisbury, MA 01952.