58°
Patchy Fog
23%
29
Essex County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Good Harbor Beach
Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930
A half-mile of sand in East Gloucester with Salt Island just offshore — at low tide a sandbar appears and you can walk out. Open-ocean swell, livelier surf than Wingaersheek, and a postcard view of the island. The Gloucester locals' favorite.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
58°F air · 55°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. North wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain before 10pm, then rain and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Weather
- 58°F air — chilly for a beach day
- 23% rain — pop-up showers possible
- Fog — low visibility — good for moody photos, less for swimming
Water
- 55°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
29 /100
skip
18 Swim
24 Sunbathe
52 Walk
83 Photo
Best for photography today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
58°F
Fog/Mist
Wind
14 mph
N
Rain
23%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
19 Good
Ozone · Essex
UV Peak
1 Low
Peaks 10 AM · burn in ~200m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 11 AM
Tomorrow
58°F
Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
55°F
Cold
Next High Tide
10:00 PM
9.6 ft · in 3.5h
Wave Height
3.3 ft
4s · NNE swell
Barometer
29.67 inHg
1005 hPa · buoy 44013
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:23 AM
Sunset
4:28 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:13 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 9:29 AM | High | 10.4 ft |
| 3:46 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 10:00 PM | High | 9.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:57 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 10:10 AM | High | 10.5 ft |
| 4:30 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:44 PM | High | 9.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:38 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 10:49 AM | High | 10.5 ft |
| 5:12 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:26 PM | High | 9.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:18 AM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 11:28 AM | High | 10.4 ft |
| 5:53 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:07 AM | High | 9.1 ft |
| 5:58 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 12:07 PM | High | 10.2 ft |
| 6:34 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:48 AM | High | 8.8 ft |
| 6:39 AM | Low | 1.5 ft |
| 12:48 PM | High | 10.0 ft |
| 7:15 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30 AM | High | 8.6 ft |
| 7:20 AM | Low | 1.8 ft |
| 1:30 PM | High | 9.7 ft |
| 7:57 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8443970, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
58°
Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny
32%
20
56°
Chance Light Rain
36%
24
56°
Mostly Sunny
3%
46
57°
Sunny
2%
47
52°
Mostly Sunny
14%
40
50°
Light Rain Likely
58%
5
What to Bring Today
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 55°F — dangerously cold
- recommended Layers / windbreaker Only 58°F outside
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
City lot — 2026 rates: $30 weekday / $35 weekend (8 AM–5 PM); $20/$25 partial after 3 PM. Reservations required Memorial Day–Labor Day via Blinkay; cash no longer accepted.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited May 1 – September 30. October 1 – March 31: leashed permitted, with unleashed dogs allowed only on EVEN-numbered days at Good Harbor. Salt Island accessible at low tide.
Entry Fee
Per-vehicle parking + $5 walk-in pedestrian fee for non-residents in season.
Address
Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Good Harbor Beach today?
Good Harbor 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 Good Harbor Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited May 1 – September 30. October 1 – March 31: leashed permitted, with unleashed dogs allowed only on EVEN-numbered days at Good Harbor. Salt Island accessible at low tide.
Is there an entry fee at Good Harbor Beach?
Per-vehicle parking + $5 walk-in pedestrian fee for non-residents in season.
Are there lifeguards at Good Harbor Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Good Harbor Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Good Harbor Beach?
Amenities at Good Harbor Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar.
When is the water warmest at Good Harbor 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 Good Harbor Beach located?
Good Harbor Beach is in Essex County, MA, at Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS