Although thoughts of the beach may be out of season for most of us living in New England, it is not far from my mind. Living in Plymouth, there are many beach options, including the beautiful White Horse Beach, the recreational Nelson Park, and the rocky outpost at Ellisville Harbor State Park. For a true taste of Plymouth’s beachy-side, make sure to plan your next oceanside outing at Plymouth Long Beach.
Three-mile Long Beach juts into the ocean at the confluence of the Eel River. The shoal forms a natural barrier that protects (along with Saquish) Plymouth Harbor from rough seas or in days gone by, unwanted visitors. Today’s beach is popular in the summer, as it allows for both public and residential access. The public is allowed to swim, sunbathe, and park at the most southerly portion of the beach. (Admission is charged)
Parts of this section can be rocky and the amount of beach available is determined by the tides. In this parking lot is the ever-popular seafood shack, Sandy’s. Past the initial lot is a journey toward the end of the beach to what is called the crossover. Single parking spaces are available along this road (Ryder Way), and climb over the rocky seawall to access the beach. (During high tide there is not much sand here.) Farther on is a smaller parking lot and when it is open, the crossover follows.
Plymouth Long Beach Crossover
The most northerly section has the most beautiful sand and beach opportunity. Residential cars with four-wheel drive venture out through the sand, but the journey is worth it. The vast, expansive sand is smooth and seemingly endless, certainly atypical of New England beaches. Viewing Plymouth from out there offers an interesting perspective. (The outermost areas of the beach are also nesting grounds for piping plovers and terns in the summer which limit or restrict parking on some days during the season.)
The beach has its own storied past. From the accounts of Portuguese explorer Estevan Gomez (who sailed for Spain) in 1525, a map of the northeast coast of America included Plymouth Beach. It was also on the famous map by Samuel de Champlain from his voyage into Plymouth Bay in 1605. Thomas Hunt captured at least 20 Patuxet in 1614, including Squanto, presumably from Long Beach where they were playing a game.
Historically, the beach has been a source of sustenance from its birds, fish, and seaweed. In the late 19th century, the beach was the site of a hotel with entertainment and dining. This was destroyed in November of 1898 along with all but one cottage on the peninsula. Serious storms through the present day have damaged Long Beach. These include the Hurricane of 1635, the Hurricane of 1938, and various gales and storms up through March 2018. Seawalls and dikes help retain the structure and shape of the beach to prevent its complete destruction.
Head to the Beach
The next time you’re visiting Plymouth, make sure to check out Plymouth Long Beach. It’s really quite extraordinary and vastly different from many New England beaches. If possible, drive or walk out to the end of the peninsula. With fine grain sand and clear blue water, you may think you’re in the Sunshine State and not the Bay State (until you feel the temperature of the water!) Even if a trip to the tip is not in the cards, the beachfront near the main parking lot is still an excellent beach.
