79°
Sunny
0%
84
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 a beach walk.
79°F air · 69°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind around 6 mph.
Weather
- 79°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 69°F water — swimmable, refreshing
84 /100
great
82 Swim
85 Sunbathe
88 Walk
83 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
79°F
Clear
Wind
7 mph
E
Rain
0%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
88°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
69°F
Refreshing
Next Low Tide
3:46 PM
0.6 ft · in 29m
Wave Height
1.6 ft
3s · NNE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 hPa
Water Quality
Above threshold
326 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo ago
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
5:15 AM
Sunset
8:21 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:37 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 9:46 AM | High | 9.3 ft |
| 3:46 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 10:00 PM | High | 11.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:35 AM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| 10:45 AM | High | 9.5 ft |
| 4:43 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:57 PM | High | 11.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:31 AM | Low | -1.0 ft |
| 11:43 AM | High | 9.8 ft |
| 5:40 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:54 PM | High | 11.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:24 AM | Low | -1.2 ft |
| 12:39 PM | High | 10.1 ft |
| 6:35 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:50 AM | High | 11.7 ft |
| 7:17 AM | Low | -1.1 ft |
| 1:33 PM | High | 10.2 ft |
| 7:30 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:46 AM | High | 11.4 ft |
| 8:07 AM | Low | -0.9 ft |
| 2:25 PM | High | 10.3 ft |
| 8:24 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:40 AM | High | 11.0 ft |
| 8:57 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 3:15 PM | High | 10.3 ft |
| 9:18 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8443970, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
88°
Sunny
3%
78
97°
Sunny
1%
63
95°
Mostly Sunny
6%
67
89°
Sunny
3%
79
87°
Sunny
9%
80
85°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
25%
74
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very 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