Cranes Beach, which is owned and operated and protected by the trustees, is my favorite beach of all time. It has a large parking lot, although you need to make reservations to guarantee a spot. It is not cheap, but it is extremely clean and the bath house and the snack bar are top-notch as far as Massachusetts beaches go. The snack bar has real food items, not just junk food and ice cream. The one drawback and it really could be a dealbreaker for some people is that the parking lot is a mid distance to long walk over sand dunes to the beach. Yes there are paths and stairs, but for people with mobility problems, this really could be a deterrent. I still rate it a 10/10. read more

A wee bit hard to get to but well worth it. Visiting during the week and it was nearly empty. I could have spent the entire day listening to the waves. Very peaceful. read more

Love this beach in so many ways. With the sand dunes it is so charming and lots of opportunities to walk around the trails if you aren't looking to swim or sit on the sand. The water is clear and even in low tide, I didn't notice a ton of shells or a rocky bottom. It does get a little packed when you come right off the parking area into the beach area, but if you are willing to walk a little bit, it is obviously much quieter and super peaceful. With a little concession stand, showers and restrooms it's perfect for families. They also have a variety of memberships which makes it affordable to go during the peak months or even throughout the year. It is $40 per car to enter the beach and park which is quite hefty but they have various membership options which could make it more affordable again if you are going to be utilizing the beach and throughout the year. They also have various events for members. A local did tell me their favorite time to go is during the winter when everything is snow capped. read more

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Crane Beach is one of my favorite beaches in MA! It's located on the North Shore, Ipswich specifically & requires purchase of parking pass ahead of time, so definitely book ahead & you won't regret it. Sand is very clear, minimal rocks, & water is clean! It's kid friendly & overall, just a great beach to go on a nice, sunny day in the summer. Every visit has always been super pleasant, the only caveat is that you just have to purchase a pass in advance or you won't have beach access. read more

Still my Favorite beach! Beautiful, clean, and picture perfect. So peaceful watching the boats, planes, and seagulls flying around with the seagrass swaying in the breeze. Day pass $40/after 4pm $25 - Handicap parking, beach wheelchairs, and an accessibility shuttle from the parking lot to beachfront are available. Request at the beach store - Crane beach store 9-5 - chair & umbrella rentals - bath house, outdoor shower, tables, bathrooms - Crane Snack Shack - matted walkway to the beach entrance by the bathhouse Parking changes: Beginning Thursday May 16th, 2024, passes are released at noon on Thursday for the upcoming Friday through Monday, and Monday at noon for the upcoming Tuesday through Thursday. Advanced passes are required for daily admission. read more

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Crane's Beach is kind of a legendary place. It's a huge beach at the end of a rocky road in Ipswich. Parking is regulated and you need to have an electronic ticket to park. They have changing/rest rooms. There is a Shake Shack with a short but fun menu. Then there is the beach, which stretches widely in both directions. It's quite beautiful and serene. Recommended. read more

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This was a very pretty beach. The sand was so nice and soft, it was actually nice to walk on. The water was ice cold lol. It was really nice and peaceful though. Would definitely recommend. Parking is overpriced though and you even have to book parking ahead which is silly. read more

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This is still the best beach in New England!!! Clean, soft sands, and I am delighted to be part of the trustees of the reservation to access such a beach and Other spectacular places in New England that are preserved! I swear you are in another world when you come here and it may be a little pricey to get in so encourage you to join the membership! they have different levels so check out which one they have on their websiteb display is clean, clean clean and beautiful! read more

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Stunning beach! Super beautiful, clean, and nice facilities. Their snack shack is also very good, especially the pork quesadilla. It's important to note though that it is not free access! If you are a non-member it's 40 dollars which is pretty crazy. It is price per vehicle though. They offer member prices but I am not sure how much it costs to be a member and what other benefits that entails. Overall, really stunning place but just know ahead of time about the entrance fee!! read more

Horrible experience - don't waste your time! What a complete waste of a day. The water was freezing cold, parking alone was $40 just to find out the beach was closed because of sharks. On top of that, you need some "annoying pass" or else they kick you out. The water wasn't clear at all, and after a 2.5-hour commute, we sat in horrible traffic on the way back. Easily one of the biggest wastes of time in my life. Stay away from this place. read more

Really beautiful, well-maintained beach. As of this summer, there was a $45 all-day entrance fee for non-members, but that price is per vehicle, so if you're going as a group or family, that isn't bad at all. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to go whatever time in the day. Just be aware that, regardless of whether you're a member or nonmember, it seems like you need to buy a pass in advance. We saw quite a few cars have to do the sad little u-turn at the entrance. Once you get inside, they have the usual facilities - restrooms, changing areas (including separate ones for families), a little shower section to rinse off, and even a wood fired pizza. Just be aware that if you want to buy something off the vending machines, you will get ripped off. I was a little irked that they didn't show the prices for anything until you swiped the CC. We paid $4.50 for a can (!!) of water. I guess they're trying to do their best to cut down on recycling but we didn't really drink much of our water because sand kept getting in the rim and the metal heated up quickly. Wah wah, I know. Definitely bring your own beverages. No trouble at all finding a nice spot right by the water. We came on one of the last summer weekends but it wasn't too crowded. Appreciated that no one was blasting loud music out of a stereo. Water, IMO, was frigid but the sand was top quality, no sharp shells or rocks ripping up your feet. Didn't see a spot of trash anywhere. Yes, there is a very, very short walk from the parking lot to the beach through the dunes but they laid out a rubber path to make it easier and, unless you're weighed down by too much beach gear, it's nothing to complain about at all. read more

A really lovely beach. I admittedly am not completely thorough with all the beaches in Mass, but out of the ones I have been to, Crane Beach is a great experience. **BE SURE TO BUY YOUR PASS BEFOREHAND ONLINE.** They have someone at the entrance who scans in your ticket on your phone, and that is seamless. Aaaand, it could totally be majorly frustrating to make the drive there not knowing this. If you purchase it in advance (cheaper on the weekdays), my experience was that it was not a crowded beach and because of how expansive Crane Beach is, you could easily find a lil spot of solitude/properly socially distance. It was all worth the planning in advance--both the beautiful scenic views and dune-filled beach, but also the peace of mind of knowing you're not going to a packed beach. I think the Trustees has been doing a nice job managing these properties given everything. But again--the key with this beach is to buy that pass in advance. They also have a snack shack w/some grilled food/other items--and bathrooms on site. Also be prepared to take all your trash out (no trash cans near the shack area were visible). A lovely beach here in MA. read more

Beautiful. Very peaceful. I bet it gets busy in the summer. I've been to many beaches, but Crane beach's bathroom is one of the cleanest beach bathrooms I've ever been in. Had about 10 stalls to change your clothes. Plenty of parking. Very well maintained. read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

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Best beach on NS! Of course you have to sort out paying during the summer season and reserving spot online but it's def worth it (or free for trustees members.) The sand dune hiking path is amazing and you can get a really decent workout in since you're trekking through sand and small hills. If you start the trail towards the left (closer to the beach) you can take a few side trails off of that if you get tired of the trail and don't want to do a complete loop. The beach is plenty spacious and fairly long. You can find sand dollars, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs and so much more at low tide! The bathrooms are nice too and the food shack looks good (never tried it.) definitely come here for a beach day! read more

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The most beautiful beach I have visited in the states. The sunset is to die for. The water is not aggressive and very much enjoyable. The sand felt great. Not too many shells like in Martha's Vineyard - shells at the Martha felt like they were going to slash my feet lol Anyway, make sure you get your parking pass days before if possible to ensure your entrance. We loved our visit so much we wanted to go back the following day but it was at capacity. read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

A beautiful beach and dunes. Knowledgeable Guides. The crane mansion is impressive from the outside (not open in the winter)

$10 admission per vehicle for non-members. A great area to be active as the dunes do put some effort on your muscles. Even on a windy day, the views were great and picturesque. Plenty of parking was available, but only one bathroom was open so a line did accumulate among the few people who were in the area on a Thursday afternoon. We walked around a part of the Green Trail (1.7mi) but other longer and shorter trails are available. read more

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This beach gets very crowded and the walk from the parking lot to the ocean was quite a trek. There is a large parking lot so that's a plus and also a restroom with multiple stalls. The water was cold but that didn't stop many people from jumping right in. The water was actually pretty calm compared to the west coast beaches. Our family had a great day here walking the beach and enjoying the water. read more

Heaven on earth!!! Crane beach is my happy place, especially after Labor Day when the crowds die down and the beach becomes even more peaceful. This beach is pristine, with no trash at all and clean facilities. They even have a food kiosk if you're feeling hungry on the beach. Things to note: first, check their Twitter feed to seed if the green heads (annoying biting flies) are out and the state of the parking lot. They're really good about updating their Twitter. I would recommend avoiding the beach during peak green head season, it's just not pleasurable. For the busiest weekends in the summer, the parking lot does fill up and they won't allow any more cars into the beach. If you check Twitter ahead of time, you'll be all set. Second, guard your belongings from the precocious seagulls. They're BOLD here. If you leave your towel for a walk down the beach, they will go through your belongings and steal your food. I recommend bringing bags that zip! This really is a great beach. You can't go wrong with a trip to Crane!! read more

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Super expensive parking but if you can come with friends it is so so worth it! Tip- they drop the tickets every Thursday which is nice that it doesn't sell out in may for the summer! This beach is super clean and super beautiful, the water was not filled with seaweed and was just delightful to be in (of course it was cold). There's also tide pools on one end and you can see two currents clashing together it's pretty cool. Definitely recommend this place! Also their bathrooms are so nice - like spa nice considering it's a beach - though be warned it's not sewage like with a flush, basically just a pit. read more

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Gorgeous beach, especially off season. There's a dog section, you'll often see horses on the beach, birds galore. It's a Long Beach so great for a walk and to explore. If it's cold be prepared for freezing wind and weather. If it's windy, also be prepared. It's a wonderful spot to enjoy the salty air. I recommend getting a beach pass if you're planning to go more than a couple times--it adds up fast! read more

I came here for the second time yesterday with some out of town friends. I left slightly later than planned (10:45am on a Sunday), and unfortunately were met with a full parking lot. We drove back into town and decided to take the shuttle. It was a pretty long line and ended up waiting approx an hour after the first 3 shuttles filled up twice. But, we saved half the cost of parking there since a round trip shuttle ticket is only $5 per person as opposed to the $30 parking fee. HOWEVER, once we got to the beach, everyone on the bus saw how the parking lot was absolutely not full; not even close! We counted 30 spots east, which is unfortunate for so many that were on a time crunch and willing to pay! I don't understand the logic because they're losing so much money not allowing it to remain as close to full as possible! Seems like they need a better system of keeping track and communicating to the officers that are turning cars away. I digress. . . On to the beach, facilities, and overall beach day! I was told I HAD to check out Crane Beach because it was one of the best north shore beaches. Haven't been to many, so I can't really compare but I can confirm that it is a GORGEOUS Beach! The water is so clear, no seaweed; the sand is soft with no rocks or anything you have to watch out for when setting up your space. It's very popular so lots and lots of people and umbrellas! But there is so much beach that there's plenty of room for everyone. I haven't done it yet, but I was told the best spot is walking out maybe 15-20 mins down the beach where it's much more secluded and quiet. Also something I haven't done is taken advantage of the numerous trails there are to explore! Can't wait to come back for that! As far as beach bathrooms go, this one is sooo nice! Plenty of changing rooms and bathrooms. Wide open space with curtains that actually close! There are outdoor showers, about 5 of them to clean all the sand off! There's also a snack bar and beach shop for all the things you forgot and souvenirs! read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

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Beautiful, as always. Crane's beach is a N. Shore escape to add variety to any weekend or full-vacay get-away, especially for a Bostonian who's combed every inch of the Cape. The beach, along with the accompanying Crane estate off breathtaking scenes, lovely in their variety and the changes they bring to fortunate locals and droves of tourists yearly from May to October and beyonc. And Crane's properties' still stand confidently as classic unspoiled icons of old New England. Ipswich looks like it was painted. Yankee pride's in the architecture, accent and the air ('ay-ah') out there. ('They-ah') Hey, even Boston guys gotta try that old try the N. Shore accent. And after a day in the bracing blue-green waters of the Atlantic by Crane's beach, head to Ipswich town for awesome seafood of every kind, maybe the best steamers and lobster I've ever had! read more

There is no fucking cranes here I came to go bird watching und I sat down all day looking for them and I realized there were no cranes I just got scammed! But the beach was not bad read more

My family and I have suffered discrimination and intimidation by the management and security team at the entrance of Crane Beach. We had bought an all day pass over the phone which at no point mentioned that there was no re entry. We had a daughter in a neighboring town we had to pick up and bring later in the day, we explained that we had travelled two hours to come to this beach and what the management team did was send us a police officer to kick us out. They claim we were rude, although the guard yelled at us and also asked us "where are you from", then said "you are probably from NY" and then refused to give us a refund when denied access to the beach. Then they had a second police officer bully us into leaving the premises. It was an all white team. They didn't care that our daughter was crying, they clearly don't like anyone who doesn't ask in an apologetic way to consider that their website doesn't make this information clear. We have filed a formal complaint with the police station for discrimination and mentioned the acts of intimidation that were used against us. We would love to go to this beach, but The Trustees need to understand that intimidating non white people is not ok. We expect a formal apology... and a refund. read more

beautiful beautiful beach, so clean and taken care of. Will definitely come again in the future read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - beach - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

Crane Beach in Ipswich, MA, is an oasis for urban dwellers less than an hour outside of Boston. From North Station, we took the Newburyport line to the Ipswich station, where a the $1 "Essex Explorer" bus took us through the picturesque downtown (which I'd like to go back and explore), through wooded streets and past an orchard/winery (where I'd also plan to stop next time), then out across open fields with rolled haystacks, and bikers pedalling languidly toward the sea . Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the beach. What a sight. The shoreline seemed to go on forever in both directions, and the fields and hills surrounding it stretched out in a vista so luxurious and wide that I almost started to cry. This was what I had been needing for weeks--a truly beautiful natural scene to rest my tired eyes. A sandy array of snack shacks, free showers and kids running up and down a boardwalk greeted us when we first walked in. After paying a $2 walk-on fee that helps maintain the pristine nature of this preservatory, we climbed over the dunes on wooded steps to find a beach to beat any Cape Cod fantasy. Beach grass grew everywhere on the flat shore, striped umbrellas popped up like mushrooms as the day wore on, and a walk down the beach revealed purple sands under our footprints and bright white boats anchored in the gentle surf. It was a little cool that day, but the beach was full of families, taking the weekend off. I was actually incredibly stressed that morning, fixated on an impending deadline, and my boyfriend was making business calls all day--it was the first day off he'd had in weeks. But something about Crane Beach quieted something in us that nothing else could have. What a magical place. I hope to come back many times after this--and I plan to share its easy accessibility with as many auto-less Bostonians as I can. When it's this simple, there's no excuse not to visit Crane Beach. read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - (courtesy of www.thetrustees.org) - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

This beach is consistently rated as one of the top-- if not the top-- beaches in Massachusetts each year, so naturally I had to check it out. And damn if it isn't a fine beach. First of all, it is HUGE. I went on a perfect beach Saturday in July, and while it was packed, if you walked far enough you could get a solid chunk of beach real estate all to yourself (and I did). I typically walk any beach I visit from end to end, but this one was too long to do that. The Crane Beach reservation itself is beautiful and well-kept. The main conservation objective seems to be protecting the piping plover population and preserve the dunes, hence the roped off areas behind the main beach. There are a number of nature trails that branch off from the parking lot that you can check out-- only problem is, they're sandy trails that are hard to navigate in shoes but too scaldingly hot in the summer for bare feet. In terms of accessibility: you can either drive and park ($25) or, if it's a weekend, take the commuter rail to Ipswich Station (Newburyport line, zone 6, about $19 round trip from North Station as of July '14) and take the $5 round-trip CATA shuttle from Ipswich station to the beach. I did the latter and would highly recommend it! The bus driver was super friendly, the ride to the beach was gorgeous, and we got to bypass the long line of cars waiting to get in. Just be sure to coordinate the bus-train schedule ahead of time to minimize the time you spend waiting for the train/bus. Downsides to this beach? The Greenhead flies SUCK. Literally. Apparently July is when they're around in full force, and they are doggedly persistent in their pursuit of flesh. Also, there aren't a ton of concession options, and the snack bar that is present is, like, hella expensive, but that's a price I'm willing to pay for a beach that isn't commercially developed. But overall: check it out! Go on a weekday if you can-- even though there's plenty of space for all, I would admit that the huge crowds killed my beach vibe a little bit. read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - Mmmm. Crane Beach in July. Greenheads not pictured. - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

I've been going to Crane beach ever since I was a kid. Its beauty and the awesomeness of the sandbars have not changed. Also, you can still get fruit sticks at the snack bar.(!) I have noticed a couple of new things in my older years: first, now the beach appears to get "full." This isn't really possible, since it spans MILES and we tend to secure spots far away from most other beachgoers for prime quiet time away from screaming kids. So, my advice if you see a sign that says the beach is full and to turn around is to ignore it. Second, you can grill! Charcoal grills are welcome. Beer is not, but I've seen it happen. Horses and dogs are also welcome, between October and March. Third, no more indoor showers. There's a rinse-off area outside the restrooms though. It's expensive-ish to park ($15 on weekdays and $25 on weekends), but the lot is a close walk to the beach. Also, the drive there is beautiful. Tons of farmstands and cool antique houses to check out on the way. There is water, sand, and plenty of space to lay your towel, so go forth and beach! Now, off to aloe my sunburn. :/ read more

Looks like Crane Beach is requiring a membership and parking pass .. which costs non residents close to $150 to go to the beach even if you just plan on going 1 time. I understand the need to control crowds during Covid but restricting access to only those who can pay this fee is not a great solution in my view. The beach is never that crowded during the week either. Couldn't they come up with a better way to manage weekend crowds like pre paying online and once it's sold out unless you are a member you can't get in. I think the Trustees mainly care about making money from their properties. Unfortunate when these beautiful places are supposed to be available to everyone to enjoy. read more

I was searching for beaches close to the Boston area and was recommended Crane Beach by a co-worker. It is the epitome of a family friendly beach. I headed there on labor day weekend and despite it being mid 80s the water was frigid (65 degrees - Brrr!!) The cold water didn't ruin all the fun. I felt vastly under prepared when I noticed family upon family with lounge and table setups and having picnics right on the beach. If you're not a member the parking is a bit pricy - I'd recommend investing in a membership, it pays for itself if you go only three times over the summer. Make sure to get there as early as possible since parking tends to fill up quick! Overall the beach was absolutely beautiful - nice sand and clean. Make sure to bring bug spray as well, as I heard the black flies can get pretty bad during the summer months. It's a great day trip if you're in the Boston area! read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

Pristine, gorgeous beach with white smooth sand. Definitely not rocky. Water clean, clear but extremely cold. Pricey admission but worth it. Snack bar expensive and not great---bring your own food and drinks. read more

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never again!,!!!, the only beach in mass that wanted to charge 25 dollars to go on beach for five minutes easter sunday when the temp was windchill 25 degrees. its not even memorial day yet! went down the road to wingaersheek beach. no charge and absolutely gorgeous. whoever runs crane beach should be embarrased. read more

Beautiful beach! The water was actually some what warm compared to other MA beaches. Also it was extremely quiet which was nice. read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

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Wow, this beach is top notch. It is a bit expensive to get in and park on the weekends ($25), but we came up later in the day (around 3:30) and we able to park for half-price ($12.50). The parking lot is a good size and is close to the beach, easily accessible by several boardwalks. The bathrooms and changing facilities are well kept. The toilets were a a bit dirty, but not horrible and certainly not as bad as I anticipated. The changing areas, however, were really nice. There are several hooks on which to hang your clothes and nice thick cloth curtains that fully cover the entrance to the individual changing rooms. There are no showers inside the bath house, but there are outdoors showers located directly outside so you can rinse yourself off before heading in to change. The beach itself was very clean with hardly any noticeable litter. I was especially pleased not to see any cigarette butts, although I did see one person smoking. It was fairly crowded when we first arrived, but quieted down towards sunset. The sunsets here are absolutely beautiful. I would recommend staying for the sunset, although it does get a little cooler, and you are a little rushed as the beach officially closes at sunset. The water was pretty cold, but I was able to acclimate myself after a few minutes. My own complaint is that while you have a lot of room to swim given the length of the beach, they don't allow you to swim very far out because you then encroach upon the "boat zone". I swam out to the buoy indicating the boat zone. The water is deep and, with the boat traffic it's a bit rough in the water. Overall, I'd recommend this beach highly. read more

the whitest softest baby powder sand! Visitors flock from across the country to bask on this beautiful beach. NOTE: leave before sunset ... to avoid the biting green head flies. THE DEAL: Every Thursday, in July & August, there is a live concert on the lawn of Crane Castle. It's only @$25 per car and BYOPicnic...JUST DO IT! read more

I love Crane beach. My favorite part is the you can walk about a mile down the beach and then take a trail up to walk around the grounds of the Crane Estate. (I'd wear some sort of footwear on the trail) The changing rooms are nice and there is potable water available to refill water bottles and composting toilets, as well as a snack bar that has burgers/ice cream/etc. The soda vending machines only take $1 bills which is somewhat annoying as the food line can be quite long if you just want to get a drink. The food stand does take credit cards. The per-car fee is $20 for trustees of the reservation and $30 for non-members. Parking can also get full quickly so come early and use as few vehicles as possible. read more

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Nice beach but oh so crowded. On a nice day the parking at the beach gets filled up quick in the morning so you'll have to go to the train station to hop a ride on a bus that will cost you $5 round trip but comes every 45 minutes. Last bus leaves at 5:30pm. Good luck! read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - Beach day - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts

Cranes Beach is consistently rated one of the best beaches in the world for good reason. It's Sandy with waves staffed with lifeguards and support staff and beautiful read more

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By far one of my favorite beaches in Massachusetts (excluding the Cape, Vineyard and Nantucket). This literally is the perfect beach with stretches of clean white sand, a great snack bar with all types of yummy and healthy options, clean restrooms and ample parking. I've never had a bad experience here and will continue visiting each summer. The amount you pay to park is worth it for the quality you receive. If you want to park somewhere free expect the beach to be less maintained. You get what you pay for and that rule most definitely applies to Crane Beach. read more

Crane Beach - Ipswich - Beaches Near Me - Ipswich, Massachusetts