So, the thing about Carson Beach is that it's an okay beach. It's easy to get to from public transportation, the sand is okay, it's not overly crowded. But if you're looking to go to a beach and go swimming, I definitely wouldn't go to this beach. After stepping over band-aids and various other pieces of trash to get to a nice open area of sand to put our towels down, my friend and I decided to go down and put our feet in the water. Bad call...really bad call. The sand was a very strange consistency, sort of muddy/clay like. And it was full of dead razor clams, so you had to be very careful where you stepped. Oh, and there were snails everywhere, as well as dead crabs. Once you got to the water, you could barely see the bottom even in only a couple of inches. I'd probably try to go to a different beach in the future, unless I'm in a time crunch. read more

OK this beach isn't bad. It's on the T! It's small, has bathrooms, a kayak rental place, a food/ice cream stand... it's free! Like all beaches there are people and sea life and rocks and sand and water. I like to wear water shoes here because as I mentioned all beaches have rocks and sea life. If you don't want any of that I suggest visiting a DCR pool. I like to walk down to Castle Island from Carson beach and watch the wind surfers. read more

If you happen to live in Southie-it's an added plus. I live about 50 feet away and it's great to be able to walk to a beach after work, or sit there for a few hours on the weekends. However, I wouldn't travel from anywhere else in the state to come to Carson beach. I mean, it's South Boston...not the Caribbean. read more

Whenever I tell people I spent the weekend at the beach, they assume I spent most of my time sitting in traffic trying to get to the Cape. They don't believe me when I say I walked half a mile to the beach in the city. I love the convenience of being so close to everything in the city, while also being able to head out for a day by the water without it being a big production. It's never overwhelmingly crowded but it's still fun for peoplewatching. I would not recommend swimming here- the water is freezing and sometimes has a funky smell/color. There are also copious amounts of jellyfish. There's usually a nice breeze coming off the water so even on a hot day, it's a good place to be. read more

I went here in August of last year. Really hot muggy day, I just wanted to SWIM. I've lived in New England most of my life, so I know not to expect white sand and crystal clear water, palm trees and cabana boys. No beach in New England is going to compare to Southern California or Florida (pre-BP, of course). So this 2/5 stars is based on that assumption. It's not a 2 star beach in general, it's a 2 star New England beach. As in, I'm already not expecting much from it. Somewhere to lay down in the sun and water I can bob up and down in for a bit, that's all I ask. The beach was almost empty, just a few families nearby and a couple people wandering, but me and my date had a pretty large area to spread out on. We wandered into the water. We made it to our ankles before we couldn't see our feet anymore. N-A-S-T-Y! So not swimmable. Just don't do it. If you want to swim, find a pool nearby. I'm giving it 2 stars because I *did* enjoy the beach itself (as in the stretch of sand) and being able to lay there. Very relaxing. But I can get the same effect heading to the park around the corner and laying on a blanket in the sun. read more

One fact about this beach really put me off. Glass in the sand. Every few yards you could find a piece if you looked out for it. That's a deal breaker for me as I want to be able to run around, playing soccer and throwing a frisbee around, making dives to catch it etc. Couldn't do that out of fear of cutting myself. Eventually did cut myself, although that was in the water and I'm pretty sure that was just a stone. Water was pretty good though and it wasn't busy, even on a glorious 4th of July, so thats a plus. Won't be going back though. read more

I give Carson Beach a four for ambiance and a one for water quality. I spent a lot of time here and ran here a lot when I lived in South Boston, and I've gotta say, I do have love for this beach, but don't swim here. I have and I've since thought the better of it, but at the time I was in waist deep, non-clear water on a hot day thinking "WHY IS NO ONE SWIMMING?" And then, at low tide, I noticed one of those "No Parking" signs in the water where I'd been. Rusted, of course. So like, swim at your own risk, preferable with some kind of water shoe on, and beware the copious jellyfish. But seriously, for someplace to sunbathe on a not-too-hot day, Carson is a great choice. read more

Having read the reviews before I embarked on my trip to Carson Beach, I was worried to say the least. Murky water? Jellyfish?!? I had my reservations. But, after a day spent here, I am a fan. Maybe it's the post-beach/sitting-in-the-sun exhaustion talking, but there's really a lot to like about Carson beach. 1) Super convenient - a five minute walk from the JFK/UMass T station. 2) Not at all crowded. Even on a perfect summer day, there was tons of space to camp out for the afternoon. 3) The beach/sand itself - very clean and well-maintained. I didn't see as much as a plastic bag, let alone broken glass or dirty needles... 4) The water - pretty clean. As people have mentioned, this is not the Caribbean. But even comparing it to more reputable beaches like Crane, it was totally swimmable and actually surprisingly pleasant. 5) It's free. I took the T there, but I think parking is free, unlike at most beaches, where you'll pay $20+. 6) A friendly vibe. There were no obnoxious teenagers, it wasn't overrun with kids - it was just a relaxed crowd of people doing there own thing. If you live in Boston and have never ventured out to Carson Beach, go. I'll still visit Crane Beach when I get the chance, but I'd totally go back to Carson Beach when none of my car-owning friends are up for the trip to the North Shore. read more

The most important thing about a beach, in my opinion, is the ability to walk along barefoot, and go in the water for a splash or swim. The wet parts of Carson Beach are unwalkable without shoes due to...razor clams! I once took a bunch of friends here, and by popular outcry we ended up getting back on the road and heading to Revere Beach instead. Not a bad place for a bike ride or run, if you like a cool breeze on a hot day and a nice view. read more

The "Meh. I've experienced better." really says it all. Do go, just remember to bring your low expectations and enough hand sanitizer for the entire family. read more

Such a great way to afternoon yourself for a walk, ride, or run.

One star for free parking, and another star for it being nice and quiet. The water on the other hand is almost unswimmable ( is that even a word?) You can see brown foam, that should be a sign. Water feels slimy and dirty. Lucky I didn't dip my head underwater. It's a nice place to sunbathe..and that's about it. read more

Not a great place to bring kids who want to swim and play in the sand. Th water is very brown, and pretty gross. The beach is full of sharp shells -- your feet will get cut up. It is great to have this beach so close to the city, and the parking was easy. If you want a typical beach day, however, you should drive to a suburban beach. read more

This is a decent beach for something accessible by the T. Far better than Revere.

Okay beach, it's close to Boston which is a huge plus. There is surprisingly free parking on weekends. Nice concession stand, bathrooms, and showers. There are rentals for kayaks and paddle boards. There are also beach volleyball nets up if you bring your own volleyball. One thing we were annoyed by, we brought our dog because we had read they allow dogs before Memorial Day. However, within 5 minutes of arriving they told us they don't allow dogs on the beach after May 1st (which I haven't seen online anywhere). We ended up having to sit in the grass behind the beach the entire time. Overall, a great time! Just be aware you can't bring your dog on the beach. read more

This is a great urban beach. The bath house is always clean and well maintained. Yes, the sand does have a lot of shells, so I wear water shoes. For those who say the water is dirty, you are wrong..... Boston Harbor beaches are repeatedly rated with high scores for cleanliness and swimming safety. I prefer a beach with waves which you will never get here, but if you are looking for a close by, conveniently located beach this is a great place to go. read more

I give Carson Beach 3 Stars. I have to say if you live in Boston its a good place to go close by. Def not as nice as Bermuda beaches or even Hampton/Salisbury beach. My Dislikes: -Broken glass and seashell shards seem to be everywhere (at least at low tide) near the shore -Some trash on beach -Some rocks have sharp coral or barnacles -No waves -Alcohol is prohibited If you go at low tide and want to go swimming you should expect to get cuts on you feet and stuck in the mud.... Kind of funny watching people trying to get in and out of the water at low tide Overall I do like the beach and go a lot because of convenient location to me. My suggestion is to go before low tide. And walk very slowly into the water to avoid cutting your feet. read more

Closest beach to boston with a volleyball net as well! I been here a couple of times, but to tell the truth, i'm not truely fond with beaches. Especially getting wet and attracting sand all over myself. Well at least they installed mini showers now for people to rinse off before going home. I recall coming here for a friend's birthday party and just playing volleyball. Although they dont have a court, but there is a net already set up for anyone to use. What i like about this beach is that its not too far away from the JKF train station and there are stores around or near this beach that doesnt jack up their prices just to earn a little more. I always have fun whenever i come here with a bunch of friends and would leave exhausted and extra tired. read more

For an east coast beach in a city, this is a great place! I live in Southie, and I have pretty much always stayed on the M street beach side, so this is rating is for the beach area from the L st. bath house going toward Castle Island. The beach is filled with a lot of the young professionals who live here. The beach stays pretty clean, they have lifeguards, and I love the fact that it's right here in Boston and I can just walk there. How much better does it get when you can walk around Castle island and down the shore to beach on a beautiful summer day. Also, to debunk some of the old beliefs (which used to be true), the Boston Harbor seems to get cleaner and cleaner every year, and has been totaly safe to swim in for many years. Without having any specific facts, it seems like the beaches on the north and south shore have been closed a lot more often this summer than this one. I have gone swimming several times this summer, I see more and more people enjoying the water with me. Hey, the beach is free, you can buy food and drinks there, and the scenery is pretty nice too. read more

Alex B's review was right on. It's a perfectly fine beach if you just want to lay on the sand and get sun. Go down to the water though, and there are dead jellyfish EVERYWHERE! Lots of broken shells and rocks before you get to the water, and the stuff that leads up to the water can only be called muck. It reminded me of quicksand or a mud bath. My feet instantly sunk in and I was in up to my ankles in what I can only imagine is dead jellyfish goo mixed with sand. There is also some trash, and swimming simply isn't possible. If you'd really like to swim, I'd suggest you drive a little further to L St. and M St beaches. At least you can get into the water without sinking in mysterious goop. High points of the beaches in this area are that they are free, there are public bathrooms, and there are water fountains all along the Southie beach line. I live in the area so if I feel like an hour in the sun and don't want to drive 90 minutes to Gloucester, I walk 4 blocks to Carson beach or preferably, M St. read more

Great little hidden treasure! Right in the city and so easy to get to. The beach itself is soft and relatively clean and there is great surrounding view. Also, plenty of free parking! read more

I didn't come here with high hopes....only 25 minutes on the T and a 10 minute walk, couldn't be too good, right? Wrong! It was a hot summer Saturday, but there was plenty of room on the clean sand. The water was murky because of the sand, but it was very clean and good to swim in. There are lots of shells on the sand (and in the water, which makes them hard to see), so be careful of that. But there were clean (indoor) bathrooms, a snack bar, and live music. The planes flying overhead weren't loud, and were fun to watch. Plus, it's all free and taken care of by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and they do a really nice job. I'd definitely recommend coming here if you are stuck in Boston and just want a day at the beach :-) read more

not the best but not the worst, the beach right by the bathroom area was fairly clean, not too crowded for a holiday weekend.... and it is convenient for t travelers. and im not sure how to phrase this but it is great people watching. and the surrounding area seems to offer all sorts of options for outdoor activities.... green space, ball fields, walking trails.... ps the water though was super salty read more

i love carson, this is the only beach i would ever feel comfortable running at. its safe and always crowded. the parkings great, place is spacious and good for my dogs! i would only sun bathe not so much go for a dip, the waters gross but dont get me wrong i still love this beach just not to swim. read more

Carson was okay to take your child to play ball.. but i wouldnt let mines swin..the water wasnt appeasing at all.. i got sunburned...my fault....so i was irrate the whole time..but i do remember the ambiance....so it eased my comfort level....my daughter had fun considering the fact she couldnt swin... read more

I came here today to cool down during the the supposed heat wave we're having. Started walking in the wrong direction (nota bene -- it's to the LEFT of the bayside expo and doubletree) but found it an easy, ten minute stroll from the T. The beach was cute, clean, and way less crowded than I expected for a weekday afternoon in the summer. Despite the previous reviews, I found the water to be cool and inviting and I kinda don't see how anyone would turn their nose up to a swim here. Maybe I caught it on the good day? Or my childhood of swimming in the infamously muddy and certainly dirty Gulf Coast has blunted my sense of cleanliness. But I emerged from the water without encountering any hypodermic needles or used condoms. Just lots and lots of sea shells. After my swim, I laid out with a book, watched planes take off from Logan, and listened to the din around me. Definitely a great experience, especially for a city beach! read more