This Secret Massachusetts North Shore Town Is Ideal for Beachcombing

When I was a child, I used to take long walks on the beach with my family and gather shells of every size and shape. I still have some of these original treasures in my possession and have added many more to my collection over the years. My house is now filled with sea glass, shells, pottery shards, and even marbles found by the sea. While some of my finds come from distant tropical islands, my family has also made several great discoveries on our local North Shore beaches. You never know what you will discover when the tide recedes around these rocky shores, and if you are looking for a great place to beachcomb, I suggest heading over to Nahant Beach in Nahant.

If you don’t know where Nahant is, you are not alone. Many local Bay Staters have little knowledge of this small coastal community. Located only 13 miles from Boston on a peninsula near Lynn, Nahant is a tiny strip of land with fewer than 4,000 residents. The entire town is just a little over 15 square miles, but only one mile is land, and the rest is made up of water. 

Nahant does not have a mall, a movie theater, or even a high school. However, it does have a fantastic beach called Nahant Beach (sometimes referred to as Long Beach). The sandy stretch of land is two miles long and is part of the Nahant Beach Reservation. It is a lovely place to beachcomb or simply spend an afternoon in the sun. 

Visit at low tide, and you are likely to find snails, scallops, periwinkles, and quahogs. If you are patient and have a good eye for detail, you may also discover some colorful sea glass and the occasional piece of pottery. Each visit here brings an unexpected discovery. When you aren’t busy hunting for beach treasures, you can spend time sunbathing, splashing in the waves, or jogging along the shore. The area is also a wonderful spot to do some birdwatching.

If all that beachcombing causes you to work up an appetite, rest assured, there are plenty of great eats in Nahant. Nearby Tides Restaurant & Pub offers great views and both eat-in and take-out meals. Or if you are in the mood for pizza or a sandwich, you can grab a bite at Seaside Pizza.

Nahant Beach is open year-round from sunset to sundown. Please be aware that during peak season, from May 23 to October 12, the beach charges a parking fee of $10 for Massachusetts residents and $40 for non-residents. There are restroom facilities on-site. 

You can find out more about visiting Nahant Beach at the Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation website. You may also want to stop by some of the other beaches in town, such as Short Beach and 40 Steps Beach. For more great beachcombing on the North Shore, keep driving north to Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. And if you want to visit a beach that makes music when you walk on it, a trip to Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea is a must-do.