A small, rocky harbor beach at the foot of Stage Fort Park, sharing the shoreline with Half Moon Beach. Low tide leaves stone and rockweed rather than open sand, so it draws tide-poolers and picnickers more than swimmers.
What to expect
Parking
Free lot $30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Accessible
Wheelchair access noted
Dogs
Prohibited April 1-September 30 per the citywide beach ordinance (GCO 4-16a). A secondary source describes unleashed dogs permitted October 1-April 30 at Cressy's specifically, but this conflicts with another secondary source describing…
Picnicking
Allowed year-round
Managed by
City of Gloucester Department of Public Works (beach operations) / Gloucester Health Department (water testing)
978-325-5157 (beach parking/operations); 978-325-5260 (Health Dept, water testing) · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Free lot
Cost$30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with stickerStickerGloucester resident beach sticker
Stage Fort Park lot (shared with Half Moon Beach, the dog park, and park athletic fields)
Details unconfirmed
Access points along this beach
Stage Fort Park lot path
Short walk down from the shared Hough Avenue lot to the rocky beach.
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Stage Fort Park visitor/information center, short walk from the beach
Common questions
Is Cressy's in Gloucester open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-07-16). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Where do I park for Cressy's Beach?
Cressy's shares the Stage Fort Park lot off Hough Avenue with Half Moon Beach, the Gloucester Dog Park, and the park's playground and ballfields. It's $30 weekdays / $35 weekends & holidays; non-residents must reserve a space via Blinkay in season.
Are there restrooms at Cressy's?
Public restrooms are listed near the beach. Seasonal hours are common, so they may be closed off-season.
What rules should I know at Cressy's?
Rocky beach; footing can be uneven, especially at low tide. No alcohol.
Been here? Help keep it current.
Prices, hours, and facilities change. A quick note keeps the next visitor from guessing.