Wollaston Beach

Wollaston Beach runs along Quincy Shore Drive in Quincy, Massachusetts, about eight miles south of downtown Boston. It is one of the longest public beaches in the Boston area, a continuous curve of roughly two and a half miles on Quincy Bay that is managed as part of the state's coastal reservation system. The sand is a mix of tan sand and fine gravel, and the tidal range is large: at low tide, broad mudflats and tide pools are exposed, while at high tide the water reaches close to the seawall. The water is the cool grey-green of Massachusetts Bay and is generally calm, with small waves, so the beach suits wading and casual swimming more than surfing. The setting is open and exposed to the bay, with views of the harbor islands and, in clear weather, the Boston skyline. The atmosphere is local and relaxed, with families, joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and anglers using the beach and the paved path beside the road. Amenities include lifeguards during the summer season, restrooms, a bathhouse and several parking lots along Quincy Shore Drive, which are free but fill on hot weekends. Food is available from casual restaurants and snack stands along the shore road, including seafood and ice cream shops. Access by public transit is straightforward: the MBTA Red Line stops at Wollaston station, from which the beach is a walk of a little under a mile, and the ride from downtown Boston takes about twenty-five minutes. Drivers reach the beach via the Southeast Expressway and Quincy Shore Drive. The seafront path is flat and extends the full length of the beach, which makes it popular for walking and cycling year-round. Visitors should check posted water quality notices before swimming, since bay conditions change after heavy rain.