These Mass. beaches are closed as a cool, rainy weekend approaches

Thirty-five Massachusetts beaches in 16 municipalities were closed to swimming as of Friday evening, including several popular spots along the North Shore.

The latest closures include 23 beaches posted for elevated bacteria levels, eight for harmful cyanobacteria blooms, and four for other unspecified reasons, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) beach water quality dashboard.

Beachgoers may not be rushing to the water this weekend anyway, thanks to dreary weather predictions. The National Weather Service is forecasting a wet and unusually cool weekend across southern New England, with periods of rain and temperatures below normal for late August.

DPH says rain can also affect beach water quality. Pollution can reach swimming areas through stormwater runoff, leaking sewer pipes, combined sewer overflows, failing septic systems, and animal waste, according to the agency.

Harmful cyanobacteria, sometimes called blue-green algae, can pose health risks to people as well as pets. Health officials advise swimmers to stay out of the water whenever a beach is posted. 

Among the latest closures are multiple sections of Nahant Beach, Revere Beach, and Kings Beach in Lynn. In Brewster, both swimming areas at Cliff Pond remain posted due to harmful cyanobacteria.

The affected beaches will remain closed until testing shows that bacteria levels have returned to levels below state standards, officials said.

State beach monitoring continues throughout the swimming season. DPH requires public beaches to be tested for bacteria, with monitoring occurring at least weekly for many beaches and more frequently at locations with a history of water quality problems. 

Massachusetts beach closures as of Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Amesbury

Ashby

Ashland

• Ashland Reservoir-Main Beach (DCR)

Bellingham

Brewster

• Cliff Pond (DCR) at DYS
• Cliff Pond (DCR) at Main

Chicopee

Dartmouth

Dudley

Holden

Lynn

• Kings (DCR) at Eastern Ave.
• Kings (DCR) at Kimball Rd.
• Kings (DCR) at Pierce Rd.
• Lynn Shore Beach (DCR)

Nahant

• Nahant Beach (DCR) at 1 (North/Ward Bathhouse)
• Nahant Beach (DCR) at 2 (Parking Section 12)
• Nahant Beach (DCR) at 3 (Flagpole/Halfway)
• Nahant Beach (DCR) at 4 (South/Main Entrance)

Revere

• Revere (DCR) at Beach St.
• Revere (DCR) at Carey Circle
• Revere (DCR) at Oak Island St.
• Revere (DCR) at State Police Barracks

Salem

• Children’s Island – Back
• Children’s Island – Wally
• Juniper Point

Swampscott

Tisbury

• Tashmoo Beach
• Tashmoo Cut

Upton

Westfield

• Hampton Ponds – Kingsley Beach (DCR)
• Hampton Ponds – Lamberts Beach (DCR)

Winchester

• Shannon Beach at Upper Mystic (DCR)

Worcester

• Indian Lake Public Beach (Sherburne Ave.)
• Lake Quinsigamond-Regatta Point Beach (DCR)
• Shore Park