78°
Smoke
47%
50
Essex County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Wingaersheek Beach
232 Atlantic St, Gloucester, MA 01930
A protected, shallow-bottomed Gloucester beach where the tide pulls way out and kids can wade for what feels like forever. Granite outcrops at the south end, the Annisquam Lighthouse across the channel, and a low-tide sandbar that creates natural pools. Among the most family-friendly beaches north of Boston.
Today's Conditions
Decent day for photography.
NWS alert active · 47% rain · 78°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 78, with temperatures falling to around 72 in the afternoon. South wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 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 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 78°F air — ideal beach weather
- 47% rain — rain likely at some point
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
36 /100
ok
25 Swim
40 Sunbathe
52 Walk
65 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.
Weather alert in effect
Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 6:08PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Atmosphere
Air Temp
78°F
Light Rain and Fog/Mist
Wind
17 mph
S
Rain
47%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 04 PM
Tomorrow
78°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
Above threshold
548 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
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
78°
Sunny
1%
80
78°
Sunny
0%
83
77°
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
30%
67
83°
Rain Showers
86%
35
81°
Chance Rain Showers
32%
66
80°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
18%
79
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 17 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 — $35/non-resident weekends, $25 weekdays in summer. Fills by 9 AM on warm Saturdays.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited May 1 – September 30. October 1 – April 30: leashed permitted, with unleashed dogs allowed only on ODD-numbered days at Wingaersheek.
Entry Fee
Per-vehicle parking fee covers beach access.
Address
232 Atlantic St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Wingaersheek Beach today?
Wingaersheek 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 Wingaersheek Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited May 1 – September 30. October 1 – April 30: leashed permitted, with unleashed dogs allowed only on ODD-numbered days at Wingaersheek.
Is there an entry fee at Wingaersheek Beach?
Per-vehicle parking fee covers beach access.
Are there lifeguards at Wingaersheek Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Wingaersheek Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Wingaersheek Beach?
Amenities at Wingaersheek Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, changing rooms.
When is the water warmest at Wingaersheek 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 Wingaersheek Beach located?
Wingaersheek Beach is in Essex County, MA, at 232 Atlantic St, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS