A wide, nearly half-mile crescent of fine sand on the open Atlantic, famous for sand that squeaks underfoot. A short walk from the MBTA Manchester station, it draws heavy summer crowds and runs a paid resident-sticker parking system in season.
What to expect
Parking
Paid lot Free for residents with sticker; non-residents $35/day, weekdays only, cash/check, when attendant on duty
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
Hours
Memorial Day-mid-June: weekends only, 9am-5pm. Mid-June-Labor Day: daily, 9am-7pm. Parking lot gate closes nightly at 10pm year-round; vehicles left after that are towed at owner's expense.
Season
Season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; open access outside that window with no attendant or fee collection
Accessibility
Accessible restroom with baby-changing station in the bathhouse; step-free beach access and beach-wheelchair availability not confirmed
Lifeguard
On duty during posted operating hours, with jurisdiction over the beach and swim area
Dogs
Dogs permitted October 15-April 15 only; banned April 16-October 14. Owners must clean up, maintain control, and dogs must be collared, licensed, and vaccinated; max two dogs per person. Fines $10-$25 for violations.
Ball Sports
Allowed marked recreation area only
Managed by
Manchester-by-the-Sea Parks & Recreation Department
978-526-2019 (summer: 978-526-7276) · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Paid lot
CostFree for residents with sticker; non-residents $35/day, weekdays only, cash/check, when attendant on dutyStickerManchester-by-the-Sea resident parking sticker (free, does not itself grant walk-on beach admission)
Singing Beach lot (Beach Street)
Singing Beach lot (Beach Street)
CostFree for residents with sticker; non-residents $35/day, weekdays only, cash/check, when attendant on dutySpaces~120
40 Beach Street lot (Harbor Point) - privately managed overflow
Cost$25/daySpaces~20
Weekends only, Memorial Day-Labor Day; opens 9am weather permitting; privately managed, not a town lot
Access points along this beach
Bathhouse main entrance
1920s bathhouse building, restrooms/showers/snack stand
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
1920s bathhouse: separate men's and women's restrooms with showers/changing stalls, plus a separate accessible restroom with baby-changing station
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Singing Beach in Manchester open today?
Open, no advisory on record in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Do I need to pay to walk onto Singing Beach?
Yes in summer. Ages 13-65 pay $10 per visit (or $35 for a season pass); 12 and under and 65+ are free. A resident parking sticker covers parking only, not walk-on admission.
Can non-residents park here?
Only in a limited way: weekdays from mid-April through mid-October when an attendant is on duty, for $35, cash or check. Outside that window there's no fee collection and parking opens up more.
Only October 15 through April 15. They're banned the rest of the year, including the entire swim season.
Are there restrooms at Singing 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 Singing Beach?
No alcohol, rafts, kayaks, boogie boards, diving, nudity, or open fires; no boats within 100 feet of the swim area.
Can you swim at Singing Beach?
Yes. Singing Beach has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.
Is there an entry fee at Singing Beach?
No, entry is free.
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Singing Beach?
A beach sticker applies to parking here. Free for residents with sticker; non-residents $35/day, weekdays only, cash/check, when attendant on duty.