A small, protected family beach in the heart of downtown Rockport with a gentle slope, good sand cover, and an offshore raft for swimmers. It has views of Sandy Bay, Bearskin Neck, and anchored yachts, and is the town's main lifeguarded swimming beach.
What to expect
Swimming
Water not monitored off-season
Hours
Closed 11:00 pm to 6:00 am, per townwide beach/park regulation.
Season
Open year-round; restrooms are seasonal (open roughly 7am-8pm in season per town beach page); lifeguard is seasonal only.
Accessibility
Concrete ramp next to Captain's Bounty Motel is wheelchair accessible to beach level; School House Landing stairway is wheelchair accessible only to the top.
Dogs
Rockport requires a dog on public ways and other public property, parks, recreation areas and school grounds included, to be on a leash or under direct voice control, except in the downtown district, where a leash is required. The…
Allowed now · ban starts June 1Managed by
Rockport Parks, Grounds & Beaches Division
978-546-3525 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Metered
CostmeteredStickerno
Beach St. / Main St. metered spaces
Details unconfirmed
Beach St. / Main St. metered spaces
Costmetered
Limited metered street parking; more metered parking one block away across from Back Beach.
Private lot near beach
Costfee, amount unconfirmed
Privately operated long-term lot across the street.
Access points along this beach
School House Landing stairway
Between 45 and 47 Main St., opposite the Congregational Church.
Concrete ramp by Captain's Bounty Motel
Wheelchair accessible.
Stairway opposite Millbrook Meadow
What's here
Not here
No showers
No shower facility documented.
Tides & weather
Tide and sun: NOAA astronomy · forecast: NWS, up to 7 days
Common questions
Is Front Beach in Rockport open today?
Front 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.
Is Front Beach good for young kids?
Yes - it is Rockport's most sheltered swimming beach, with a gentle slope, an offshore swim raft, and a seasonal lifeguard.
Where do I park at Front Beach?
Street parking is metered and limited; a private pay lot sits across the street, and more metered spots are a block away near Back Beach.
Are there restrooms at Front 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 Front Beach?
If no lifeguard is on duty, swimmers enter the water at their own risk. Jumping from rocks is prohibited on all beaches at all times. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on all beaches and parks. Smoking and vaping of any substance is prohibited at all times on all beaches and parks. No fires are…
Can you swim at Front Beach?
There is no MA DPH swim status for Front 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 Front Beach?
Rockport requires a dog on public ways and other public property, parks, recreation areas and school grounds included, to be on a leash or under direct voice control, except in the downtown district, where a leash is required. The downtown district runs from the shoreline at King Street south to…
Is there an entry fee at Front Beach?
No, entry is free.