Short Beach is Nahant's easiest beach to get to, a half-mile stretch of soft sand right in the village with restaurants and shops a short walk away. It hosts the town's floating beach wheelchair, making it the most accessible of Nahant's beaches, though there's still no lifeguard.
What to expect
Parking
Resident sticker Free for residents with sticker; no public parking
Swimming
Allowed water tested by the state
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
Accessibility
A floating/sand beach wheelchair (donated by the Miles family with SMILE Mass) is stationed at Nahant American Legion Post 215; call (781) 731-5966 to reserve, sign a waiver, and complete a ~15-minute training; life vest required while…
Dogs
Prohibited May 1-September 30 (town-wide rule); leashed permitted October 1-April 30
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)
Lowlands Park lot (resident)
Lowlands Park lot (resident)
CostFree for residents with sticker; no public parking
Access points along this beach
Little Nahant Playground crossing
Main entry across the road from Little Nahant Playground
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 Short Beach in Nahant 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.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Short Beach hosts Nahant's floating beach wheelchair, stationed at American Legion Post 215; call (781) 731-5966 ahead to schedule a time, sign a waiver, and get a brief training session before use.
Is there parking at Short Beach, and what does it cost?
Resident sticker (Free for residents with sticker; no public parking). Lowlands Park lot (resident)
What rules should I know at Short Beach?
No lifeguard on duty.
Can you swim at Short Beach?
Yes. Short Beach has no swimming advisory in the latest MA DPH posting (updated 2026-09-13). Check again the morning you go.
Are dogs allowed at Short Beach?
Prohibited May 1-September 30 (town-wide rule); leashed permitted October 1-April 30
Is there an entry fee at Short Beach?
None; beach itself is free and open to the public
Do you need a beach sticker to park at Short Beach?
Yes, parking here uses a resident sticker. Free for residents with sticker; no public parking.