Looking for a home on the Massachusetts South Coast? You won’t be far from some of the most scenic beaches in the state.
Homebuyers who choose homes along the Massachusetts South Coast can enjoy year-round access to a wealth of beaches that stud the jagged shoreline along Buzzards Bay.
Nine of the fourteen South Coast towns border the water. With inland communities adjacent to the coastal towns, there’s always a beach nearby where you can dig your toes into the sand and drink in Atlantic Ocean views.
More than 30 beaches are located along the South Coast. A wonderful resource for learning about them is provided by the Buzzards Bay Coalition. In this post, we’re highlighting a few of the best and most popular.
Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Westport
Two miles of barrier beach; 600 acres where visitors can fish, hike, swim, and kayak; scenic salt marshes—it’s no surprise that Horseneck Beach State Reservation is one of the most popular beaches in the state.
One of its impressive gems is Gooseberry Island, connected to the mainland by a causeway. Jutting into Buzzards Bay like a teardrop, Gooseberry Island is known for its panoramic ocean views and wildlife habitats.
Offering an idyllic South Coast charm, Westport is a place where cozy, Nantucket-style cottages are nestled in rolling green pastures.
Fort Phoenix State Reservation, Fairhaven
Explore the remains of a Revolutionary War fort and enjoy a universally accessible beach at scenic Fort Phoenix State Reservation where visitors can bike, swim, and stroll the hurricane barrier across New Bedford Harbor.
Historic Fort Phoenix played a part in three wars fought on American soil. The fort was the site of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War and saw action during the War of 1812. Union troops staffed the fort during the Civil War.
Fairhaven shares a harbor with New Bedford and offers convenient access to an array of amenities.
Demarest Lloyd State Park, Dartmouth
Photo courtesy of Alexey Sergeev
DCR, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, calls Demarest Lloyd State Park “one of the best kept secrets in the Massachusetts forest and park system.” Dunes and a grassy picnic area border an 1,800-foot beach overlooking Buzzards Bay.
Calm waves and shallow waters make this beach perfect for families with children. During low tide, you can walk out to the sandbars and investigate colonies of small crabs, periwinkles, and mussels and let the kids explore sea life “up close and personal.”
Two trails offer scenic beauty away from the beach and through tidal marshes, oak forests, and coastal dunes. The salt marshes are notable for water birds including herons and egrets.
Jack Conway has an office in Dartmouth, which is the third largest municipality in Massachusetts in land area. Working farms and a lively fishing and boating community make Dartmouth a world of barns and boats.
