Canoe Beach is a small pebble cove near East Point, tucked between Castle Rock and Forty Steps, better known among scuba divers than swimmers. Rocky outcrops and kelp beds just offshore make it one of the North Shore's go-to shore dives, while the adjacent lot stays resident-sticker only.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker Free for residents with sticker; no public parking
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
No posted gate hours; open access
Season
Open access, year-round; no gate
Entry fee
None; beach itself is free and open to the public checked Jul 14, 2026
Dogs
Prohibited May 1-September 30 (town-wide rule); leashed permitted October 1-April 30
Scuba Dive
Allowed year-round, popular local dive site
Managed by
Town of Nahant
(781) 581-0088 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Resident sticker
CostFree for residents with sticker; no public parkingStickerNahant resident sticker ($15 Mar-Jun / $20 Jul-Dec)
Canoe Beach lot (Northeastern/municipal)
Details unconfirmed
Canoe Beach lot (Northeastern/municipal)
CostFree for residents with sticker; no public parking
Access points along this beach
Canoe Beach main entrance
From the adjacent municipal parking area
Swallow Cave Rd
Natural sea cave and popular dive/scramble spot a short walk south; roughly 7 resident-sticker spots on Swallow Cave Rd, and Nahant Police request dive-site parkers check in with them first
What's here
Not here
No drinking water
Not listed among this beach's amenities on the town's official beaches page
No showers
No outdoor rinse showers at this beach
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Canoe Beach in Nahant open today?
Canoe Beach is not monitored right now. MA DPH samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day and posts no advisories or all-clears off-season, so there is no swim status to report. Swimming off-season is at your own risk.
Why is this beach popular with divers?
The cove has rocky outcrops, kelp forests, small caves, and a series of rock pinnacles ('the chimneys') that break the surface at low tide, with a gentle slope to 30-35 feet -- a well-known local shore dive.
Is there parking at Canoe Beach, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker (Free for residents with sticker; no public parking). Canoe Beach lot (Northeastern/municipal)
What rules should I know at Canoe Beach?
Rocky terrain and rock pinnacles ('the chimneys') offshore; no lifeguard.
Can you swim at Canoe Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Canoe Beach off-season: the state samples beach water Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming off-season is at your own risk; check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at Canoe Beach?
Prohibited May 1-September 30 (town-wide rule); leashed permitted October 1-April 30
Is there an entry fee at Canoe Beach?
None; beach itself is free and open to the public
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Canoe Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. Free for residents with sticker; no public parking.