West Beach is an ocean beach in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
What to expect
Swimming
Water not monitored by DPH
Hours
Open dawn to dusk; roadside parking permitted 6am-9pm. Lifeguards on duty through Labor Day; swim at your own risk afterward.
Season
Park and shoreline accessible year-round; lifeguards on duty from the last weekend in June through Labor Day.
Accessibility
ADA accessible: a fully accessible pavilion and bathhouse, beach access ramps/mats onto the sand, and an amphibious (floating) beach wheelchair available on request.
Lifeguard
On duty last weekend of June through Labor Day, 10am-5:30pm.
Off duty · back JuneDogs
Dogs not allowed on the beach.
Managed by
New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches Department
(508) 961-3015 · WebsiteGetting in
Access points along this beach
What's here
Facilities
Restrooms
Bathhouse with changing rooms
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is West 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 West Beach wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The pavilion and bathhouse are both fully accessible, there are ramps and mats onto the sand, and the city keeps an amphibious beach wheelchair on hand if you call ahead to request it.
Can I park at West Beach without a seasonal pass?
There is no posted hourly or daily rate here the way East Beach and Fort Taber have. Roadside parking along West Rodney French Blvd runs on the seasonal pass system, so plan to buy a pass or sticker ahead of a visit.
Are there restrooms at West 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 West Beach?
Swim at your own risk when lifeguards are off duty (any time after Labor Day, or outside 10am-5:30pm in season). No dogs on the beach.
Can you swim at West Beach?
West Beach is town-owned and its water is not monitored by MA DPH, so there is no official swim status. Check conditions posted at the beach.
Are dogs allowed at West Beach?
Dogs not allowed on the beach.
Is there an entry fee at West Beach?
No, entry is free.