75°
Mostly Cloudy
5%
76
Essex County, MA · Atlantic Ocean
Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)
39 Refuge Road, Ipswich, MA 01938
The southern tip of Plum Island, a 77-acre state reservation reached only through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Sand, salt marsh, and tidal flats with an end-of-the-road feel — and a 15-space lot to keep it that way.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for photography.
75°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 7 to 10 mph.
Tonight
A chance of rain showers between 8pm and 2am, then patchy fog and showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 12 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 75°F air — ideal beach weather
- Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too
76 /100
great
71 Sunbathe
80 Walk
85 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
75°F
Clear
Wind
7 to 10 mph
S
Rain
5%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
6 High
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~33m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
84°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Next High Tide
10:38 PM
10.9 ft · in 3.3h
Wave Height
2.6 ft
4s · SE swell
Barometer
30.21 inHg
Falling 1.9 hPa / 3h · buoy 44013
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
6:16 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
84°
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
49%
53
74°
Sunny
0%
82
71°
Sunny
0%
79
76°
Chance Rain Showers
44%
56
76°
Mostly Sunny
4%
84
75°
Mostly Sunny
3%
82
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 6 — high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Access through the Parker River NWR gate; $5/vehicle daily refuge fee (or $20 annual). Sandy Point lot has ~15 spaces.
Dogs
No dogs at Sandy Point (year-round). Parker River NWR also prohibits pets.
Entry Fee
$5 daily refuge entrance (Parker River NWR)
Address
39 Refuge Road, Ipswich, MA 01938
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) today?
Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) dog-friendly?
No dogs at Sandy Point (year-round). Parker River NWR also prohibits pets.
Is there an entry fee at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)?
$5 daily refuge entrance (Parker River NWR)
Are there lifeguards at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)?
No lifeguards are stationed at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)?
Amenities at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) include restrooms.
When is the water warmest at Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island)?
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 Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) located?
Sandy Point State Reservation (Plum Island) is in Essex County, MA, at 39 Refuge Road, Ipswich, MA 01938.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS