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
Paid lot $30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Good Harbor, Wingaersheek, and Stage Fort Park lot gates open 8am and lock at 9pm in season (lots open April 1, closed November through March); lifeguards are on 9am to 5pm Memorial Day through Labor Day. That's the town default unless…
Season
Open year-round. Non-resident Blinkay reservation/gate system for the shared Stage Fort Park lot runs Memorial Day-Labor Day.
Accessibility
Not specifically detailed for Cressy's; it is a rocky beach (harder step-free access than the town's sandy beaches). Stage Fort Park has paved paths, but no beach wheelchair or dedicated accessible parking is confirmed for this beach…
Dogs
Prohibited April 1-September 30 per the citywide beach ordinance (GCO 4-16a). One listing describes unleashed dogs permitted October 1-April 30 at Cressy's specifically, but this conflicts with another listing describing Half…
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
Paid 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
Stage Fort Park lot (shared with Half Moon Beach, the dog park, and park athletic fields)
Cost$30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker
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
Picnic area
Picnic tables and cooking areas in the adjoining Stage Fort Park grounds.
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Cressy's Beach in Gloucester open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-08-14). 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 Beach?
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 Beach?
Rocky beach; footing can be uneven, especially at low tide. No alcohol.
Can you swim at Cressy's Beach?
Yes. Cressy's Beach has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-08-14). Check again the morning you go.
Are dogs allowed at Cressy's Beach?
Prohibited April 1-September 30 per the citywide beach ordinance (GCO 4-16a). One listing describes unleashed dogs permitted October 1-April 30 at Cressy's specifically, but this conflicts with another listing describing Half Moon/Cressy's off-season dogs as leash-required. The exact off-season…
Is there an entry fee at Cressy's Beach?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Cressy's Beach?
A beach sticker applies to parking here. $30/day weekday, $35/day weekend & holiday; free for residents with sticker.