58°
Patchy Fog
27%
28
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
Skip the beach today.
58°F air · 55°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain before 4pm, then a chance of rain and patchy fog between 4pm and 5pm, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 58. North wind 8 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain before 10pm, then rain and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 6 to 13 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
- 27% rain — pop-up showers possible
- Fog — low visibility — good for moody photos, less for swimming
Water
- 55°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
28 /100
skip
17 Swim
23 Sunbathe
50 Walk
83 Photo
Best for photography today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
58°F
Fog/Mist
Wind
8 to 12 mph
N
Rain
27%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
19 Good
Ozone · Essex
UV Peak
1 Low
Peaks 02 PM · burn in ~200m
Burn-free before 01 PM & after 03 PM
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
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
6:24 AM
Sunset
4:29 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
31%
25
56°
Chance Light Rain
32%
28
56°
Mostly Sunny
3%
46
57°
Sunny
3%
47
51°
Mostly Sunny
14%
40
49°
Light Rain Likely
56%
6
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
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