The swimming beach inside Fort Taber Park, a 50-acre waterfront park at the tip of Clarks Point with more than a mile of Buzzards Bay shoreline. Swimmers share the point with a Civil War-era coastal fort, a fishing pier, and a paved perimeter path, all wrapped around the peninsula where East Rodney French Boulevard and West Rodney French Boulevard meet.
What to expect
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Hours
Open dawn to dusk; staffed parking and lifeguard coverage 8am-8pm through Labor Day.
Season
Park accessible year-round; lifeguards on duty at the swimming beach from the last weekend in June through Labor Day.
Accessibility
ADA accessible; the park includes a Braille trail in addition to accessible paths and restrooms.
Lifeguard
On duty last weekend of June through Labor Day.
Off duty · back JuneDogs
Leashed dogs allowed in the park, including on the perimeter path.
Kayak
Allowed Community Boating Center runs sailing/boating rentals, lessons, and youth programs from the park in season.
Managed by
New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches Department
(508) 961-3015 · WebsiteGetting in
Access points along this beach
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
At the park, seasonal
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Fort Taber Park Beach in New Bedford open today?
open to the public; water quality here is not monitored by MA DPH (updated 2026-09-13). MA DPH is the authority. Check the status the morning you go.
Is it safe to swim at Fort Taber given the PCB contamination in New Bedford Harbor?
The swimming beach here faces Buzzards Bay at the outer edge of the harbor, not the enclosed inner-harbor Superfund site, and the city tests it weekly through the summer for bacteria the same as East and West Beach. The PCB-related guidance that does apply is about not eating bottom-feeding fish caught nearby, not about swimming.
Is Fort Taber Park just a beach, or is there more to see?
It is a full 50-acre park built around the beach: a Civil War-era coastal fort with a military museum, a fishing pier, a Braille trail, a playground, and over a mile of paved paths that link up with the East Beach and West Beach bike trails.
Are there restrooms at Fort Taber Park 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 Fort Taber Park Beach?
Swim at your own risk when lifeguards are off duty (outside season or off-hours). Fish consumption advisory: avoid eating bottom-feeding fish (scup, tautog, flounder) caught in the outer harbor near the park due to legacy PCB contamination. This does not restrict swimming.
Are dogs allowed at Fort Taber Park Beach?
Leashed dogs allowed in the park, including on the perimeter path.
Is there an entry fee at Fort Taber Park Beach?
No, entry is free.