Top Dog Beaches near Boston, MA

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Introduction

Like most of New England, the Boston area is loaded with dogs. Thousands of them. And while Boston's pooches are largely city-centric, with Boston Terriers topping the list of breeds, and names like Brady and other New England icons often heard called, the variety of pups is amazing. Heading to the beach on warmer days is a favorite activity. And who doesn't like a brisk walk on the sand during the chilly seasons? Pups love the beach, and the Boston area boasts a number of grrreat ones to take Fido to anytime of the year!

#1 Cape Cod National Seashore

This 43,000-acre land on Cape Cod features ponds and woods, but the beaches are what make doggos excited to be here! They're welcome everywhere on the oceanfront sand, off-leash on the sections that are not guarded by lifeguards, and on leash where a lifeguard is on duty. This gives humans and their pooches a vast amount of beach at their disposal! Watch as Fido stalks and chases seagulls, though the protected Piping Plover nests are a strict no-no!

#2 Savin Hill Park and Malibu Beach

From September to April, this beach beckons pooches and their people to its Dorchester location. While the humans have sole ownership during the summer, dogs reign the rest of the year! The park features lots of activities for the two-legged members of the family, but for Fido, the beach is everything. Running, swimming, chasing, sniffing: it's all on offer! You may have trouble getting your canine kiddo back to the free parking lot!

#3 Squantum Point Park Beach

This beach in North Quincy is not only a secluded place for pawsome views of downtown Boston, it's a true doggie beach! Well-behaved pups can run and swim, play frisbee or poke around at the edge of the water for treasures only dogs can appreciate! Never crowded, the beach is accessed via a trail from the always empty parking lot. Mid- to high tide is best to avoid muddy puppies!
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#4 Singing Beach

Manchester-By-The-Sea is the lucky location of Singing Beach, famous for the sand that "sings" or squeaks when walked on. Your fur-pup will no doubt find this feature fascinating! And if your pooch loves rides in the car, the 18-mile trip to and from downtown Boston will be part of the fun! In the off-season, from October to April, Fido is welcome off-leash, and parking is free! It's subject to a $5 fee in season.

#5 Wollaston Beach

Quincy's Wollaston Beach is part of the Quincy Shore Reservation. The largest Boston Harbor beach, it sits on Quincy Bay, so there's no lack of interesting comings-and-goings to see! Its 2 miles of harborfront also feature dog-friendly boardwalks, a seawall to explore, and concession stands to make sharing a treat with Fido easy! Because the city diligently tests the beach's water regularly, and closes it when necessary, you and your pooch can feel comfortable swimming here, too!

#6 Tenean Beach

Boston's Dorchester neighborhood boasts several small beaches where pups can romp and dip their paws in the water of Neponset River, on leash. Tenean Beach is a grrreat example. Walking the beach while the kiddos play on the playground, on the basketball and tennis courts, or lolling in the sand marveling at the artistic oil storage tanks across the river, you won't find a more ideal spot for an outing with your fur-baby.

#7 Castle Island Beach

Castle Island Beach is a pawrrific destination for an outing with Fido. While technically an on-leash beach, you can hook the pup up to a long lead to allow romping in the impressive waves, or share a hot dog on the sand. Facing Boston Harbor, the constant flow of ships and sailboats is mesmerizing. Once a true island, it's now connected to the mainland via a causeway, making it really easy to access! Check it out soon!

#8 Rexhame Beach

Rexhame Beach can be found in Marshfield, which is a South Shore coastal town that welcomes doggos. Parking at the beach is $15 for the day, but arrive early because the lot fills and some spots are reserved for town residents. Your leashed fur-pup will love the white sand, grrreat for digging. Be sure to fill in the excavations before you leave! Access to the beach is year-round, but check about changing seasonal rules!

#9 Carson Beach

Carson Beach in South Boston allows leashed pups on the beach in the offseason only, but its location within Boston's city limits makes it a handy spot when you've had enough of street walks. Its sandy shore is easy on Fido's paws, and the view of the Old Harbor, Dorchester Bay and Thompson Island in the distance can't be beat! It's a really long beach, and you can walk it all the way to Pleasure Bay if you have the time!

#10 Nahant Dog Beach

The island town of Nahant contains several beaches, but the Nahant Doggie Beach is extra special! Open to pups on leash from October through May, this long, sandy stretch of oceanfront is a dog-lightful place to walk with Fido! Its location only 14 miles north of Boston makes it a pawrfect destination for anyone with 4-legged buddies to walk or run! You may find doggos there after 5 on summer evenings, too!