Who is ready for the sun on their faces and the sand on their toes? It is almost time to get your 2024 season beach passes, and the SouthCoast has plenty of spectacular public beaches to cool down. Grab your towels, sunscreen, and lots of water to have yourself a beach day. Here is everything you need to know about this upcoming beach season in the Greater New Bedford area:
New Bedford’s public beaches are on scenic Clark’s Point. Beaches are guarded by a professional waterfront team from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from May 25 through Sept. 2.
Looking ahead to warmer weather, the New Bedford Parks, Recreation and Beaches Department has announced that seasonal parking passes for East Beach, West Beach, and Fort Taber Park will be available for purchase starting on March 25.
How to get one: New Bedford announces 2024 beach pass plans.
West Beach
West Beach is a family-friendly beach with clear, calm water to swim in and lots of sand to play in. It has stunning views of Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands. The amenities include a shaded pavilion, lifeguards, outdoor showers, bike/walking paths, a summer food site, changing/ restrooms, a first aid facility, and ADA beach ramps on sand (amphibious wheelchair available upon request). Located at 200 West Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford. There is roadside parking open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. with additional parking in Hazelwood Park.
East Beach
East Beach is a wide, sandy beach with spectacular views of Butler Flats Lighthouse and all the ships and sailboats in the New Bedford Harbor. Amenities include two outdoor volleyball courts, lifeguards, bike/walking paths, first aid facility, outdoor showers, and restrooms. Located at 1076 East Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, there are large paved parking lots and additional street parking.
Fort Taber Park
Fort Tabor Park is a 50-acre waterfront park that provides over a mile of oceanfrontage. It is a recreational paradise where families can spend a fun day in the sun. The amenities include a fishing pier, playground, Zagster bike share station, bike/walking paths, lifeguards, military museum, concession stand, picnic areas, and restrooms. The park is handicap accessible including a newly installed Braille trail. Located at 1000 South Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, there is a large paved parking lot.
What are the seasonal beach parking pass rates?
The 2024 Seasonal Parking Pass is available from May 15 to September 15 for Fort Taber, West Beach, and East Beach for the seasonal rate of $60.
Discounted rates are available for New Bedford residents, $15; New Bedford seniors 65+, $5; Greater New Bedford residents (Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Acushnet, and Freetown), $30. Vehicle registration is required when purchasing a seasonal pass. Parking on West Beach is a seasonal pass only.
What is the cost for the day?
If you do not have a season pass East Beach and Fort Taber have $3/hour text-to-pay parking or park for the day is $15 with text-to-pay parking.
Where do you buy your parking passes?
Seasonal parking passes are on sale for cash only at the following locations: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Parks Rec & Beaches Admin Office, 181 Hillman St., bldg. 3; City Clerk’s Office, City Hall 133 William St.; Traffic Commission, Elm Street Garage 51 Elm St.; and from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Andrea McCoy Rec Center, 181 Hillman St., bldg. 8. You may purchase a pass on-site with a credit card only when staff is on duty.
Fairhaven beaches
Fairhaven is home to both free and seasonal parking beaches to savor this summer.
Pope Beach
Pope Beach is a small, rather rocky public beach that is quiet and secluded with limited space for swimming. It has clear, calm water with views of the outer New Bedford Harbor and Buzzards Bay. It has no amenities and no lifeguards. Located at 98 Manhattan Ave., Fairhaven it offers a very small free parking lot.
Fort Phoenix State Reservation
Take a swim in the calm waters of Buzzards Bay at Fort Phoenix which has a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. Pack up for the day to take part in all the reservation has to offer. The amenities include a basketball court, pavilion, picnic area, playground, restrooms, scenic viewing area, showers, tennis court, and grills. Accessibility includes boardwalk and beach mat, beach wheelchairs available, accessible picnicking, and accessible restrooms. Located at Green Street, Fairhaven, it has three free paved parking lots.
West Island Town Beach
Situated on Buzzards Bay, West Island Town Beach is surrounded by acres of protected forest and salt marshes and it offers great swimming in calm waters. The rocky terrain of this magnificent beach is ideal for spotting ships of all kinds and ocean wildlife. Seasonal pass needed, located at 2 Fir St., Fairhaven.
Where to get Fairhaven beach passes?
2024 beach passes will not be available at the gate. To obtain your beach pass visit the Town of Fairhaven, Board of Public Works, during normal business hours or mail in a copy of your vehicle registration, proof of residency (if you are a seasonal resident), payment, and self-addressed envelope to 5 Arsene St., Fairhaven MA 02719. Season passes for property owners and year-round residents are $40; for property owners and year-round senior residents 62+ are $20; non-resident season passes are $150 with only 100 available.
Dartmouth beaches
Dartmouth has several sandy beaches to relax and enjoy the sun.
Round Hill Beach
This Dartmouth residents-only beach, Round Hill Beach is a long, sandy beach with rolling calm waves and local history. With views of the Elizabeth Islands, it has a seasonal bathhouse and a concession vehicle. Located at 231 Smith Neck Road, Dartmouth, there is parking along the paved beach road.
Jones Beach
In the calm waters of Clarks Cove, Jones Beach is a great place for a family-friendly day on the water. The 2 acres of fun has a playground, bathhouse, softball field, horseshoe pits, and a picnic area. Located at 66 St. John St., Dartmouth, with a large paved parking lot to park in.
Apponagansett Park
For a fun day in the sun and sand, Apponagansett Park is perfect for all ages with all kinds of outdoor exploration. On Apponagansett Bay with a sparkling view, it has a sandy beach, restrooms, picnic area, playground, basketball court, and volleyball court. There is also a public boat ramp with a canoe/kayak launch as well as a nearby hiking trail. The Ice Cream Bucket is open after Memorial Day weekend with ice cream and more. Located at 77 Gulf Road, Dartmouth, there is a large paved parking lot.
What is the cost of Dartmouth beach stickers?
To enjoy Dartmouth’s sandy beaches, beach stickers for the year are $40; senior residents are $30; and disabled veterans are free. Jones Park and Apponagansett Park also have a $ 10-day pass.
What to know: Dartmouth tweaks the process for beach stickers this year.
Westport beaches
Westport has three resident-only beaches that cost $30 a year for the beach sticker.
Cherry & Webb Beach
Just down the shore from Horseneck Beach with grassy dunes and sandy beach is Cherry & Webb Beach. The 80 acres is a great calm and peaceful place to get away. It has picnic tables, a launch spot for kayaks, and lots of shells to collect. Located at 168 Cherry and Webb Lane, Westport, it has a large unpaved parking area.
Knubble Beach
A barrier beach with exposed granite bedrock, Kubble Beach is at the entrance to the Westport River Inlet. On the 5 acres, there are panoramic views, with the Point of Rocks rocks that can be climbed and explored. Located at Beach Avenue, Westport, it has no facilities and a limited parking area.
East Beach
East Beach has a rocky shoreline with views of the Elizabeth Islands near miles of trails to explore. You are able to pull up right along the shoreline and enjoy the Bay. Located at 198 East Beach Road, Westport, it has no facilities and the parking is on the gravel area along the road.
Gooseberry Island
As Westport’s only free beach Gooseberry Island is enjoyed all year long with coastal beauty and history. With water views that draw people of all ages, it is home to a concrete observation tower that was built during World War II. There is a wide, sandy path to explore that runs for about a half-mile down the island. Located on West Shore Road, Westport, it has a medium-sized gravel parking lot and seasonal bathrooms.
Where are local state parks, beaches
These state-owned parks/beaches all have one pass to use at all Massachusetts State Parks. For a day at the park, it costs $12, or it is $60 for an annual pass for Mass. residents. Fees are waived for vehicles with a handicapped license plate or placard; a Purple Heart Recipient license plate; or a disabled veteran license plate.
Demarest Lloyd State Park
Demarest Lloyd State Park is a hidden gem with an 1800-foot saltwater beach and grassy picnic sites. With warm water temps through most of the summer and shallow sandbars, it is a great spot for bird viewing. Its amenities are a boat ramp, a picnic area with grills, restrooms, a scenic viewing area, and showers. Located at 101 Barneys Joy Road, Dartmouth it has a large paved parking lot.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation
A childhood favorite beach with 600 acres of recreation and two miles of surf Horseneck Beach has swelling waves and rolling dunes. It has gorgeous salt marshes along the Westport River, beach camping, and a landing to launch kayaks. A paved, ADA-accessible walking path runs along the stretch of sandy beach with beach access mats and wheelchairs available. Located at 251 John Reed Road, Westport, it has large paved parking lots.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Beach passes on the SouthCoast