73°
Mostly Cloudy
4%
72
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
Great day for photography.
73°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 8 to 12 mph.
Tonight
A chance of rain showers between 8pm and 2am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 12 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too
72 /100
great
67 Sunbathe
78 Walk
83 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.5 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
8 to 12 mph
S
Rain
4%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
79°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Next High Tide
10:38 PM
10.9 ft · in 3.4h
Wave Height
2.6 ft
4s · SE swell
Barometer
30.21 inHg
Falling 1.9 hPa / 3h · buoy 44013
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:15 AM
Sunset
7:04 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:06 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:22 AM | High | 9.7 ft |
| 4:21 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:38 PM | High | 10.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:58 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 11:12 AM | High | 10.2 ft |
| 5:15 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 11:31 PM | High | 10.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:45 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 11:59 AM | High | 10.5 ft |
| 6:05 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:20 AM | High | 10.8 ft |
| 6:30 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 12:44 PM | High | 10.6 ft |
| 6:53 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:07 AM | High | 10.5 ft |
| 7:14 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 1:26 PM | High | 10.6 ft |
| 7:39 PM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:53 AM | High | 10.1 ft |
| 7:56 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 2:08 PM | High | 10.4 ft |
| 8:24 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:38 AM | High | 9.6 ft |
| 8:39 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 2:51 PM | High | 10.2 ft |
| 9:10 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8443970, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
79°
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
48%
46
72°
Sunny
0%
75
69°
Sunny
0%
77
75°
Chance Rain Showers
44%
55
74°
Mostly Sunny
4%
83
75°
Mostly Sunny
2%
81
What to Bring Today
Nothing unusual - conditions are unremarkable today.
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