Singing Beach: a compact gem of a beach with a sizable following

Singing Beach has to be near the top of the list for most visitors looking for a beach day on Boston’s North Shore. It’s not so much because of its size – it’s less than a 1/2 mile long – but more about its easy access and it’s exceptional location at the end of Beach Street in beautiful Manchester By The Sea. Walking from the town’s scenic harbor through an estate neighborhood to the beach heightens expectations for every visitor – it’s that pretty!

When you arrive you’ll discover that there is a charming bath house, built in the 1920s, that provides changing and bathroom facilities. It also houses a convenient snack bar where you can pick up drinks, ice cream and snacks. For more information visit the town’s website.

Beach visitors arrive at Singing Beach on foot, train, bicycle and car, but regardless of your transportation choice there is a $10 walk-on fee during the summer, ages 12-65. Season passes are available for $35 per person and are valid all summer. Cash or check only are accepted.

Getting to Singing Beach

It’s good to be familiar with options, especially if you are arriving by car – nothing spoils a perfect day quicker than an expensive parking ticket.

Beach parking lot – Located adjacent to the bathhouse, the parking lot is reserved for residents June 1 – Labor Day. Parking is available to non-residents for $25 weekdays from June 14 – Labor Day. Cash or check only and spaces are limited, so arrive early if it’s a nice day.

Parking in town – On weekends the Boy Scouts provide parking in the Harbor Point lot for $25. This year there is a golf-cart-like shuttle option from the parking lot to the beach – it’s free, tipping optional. Additionally, on-street and town lot parking is available, but with a 2-hour limit, it’s not practical for a day on the beach. That leaves several public lots at the schools if you’re willing to undertake a longer walk to the beach. It pays to pay attention to all parking signage throughout town.

Training it – The MBTA commuter rail stops in the center of Manchester By The Sea, and on busy summer weekends a conga line of beachgoers carrying chairs and coolers streams up Beach Street after the train arrives. It’s an easy walk – check out the MBTA Rockport Line schedule to see your options.

Biking it – What a great way to get to a beach – get a nice ride in, lock your bike by the bathhouse, grab a snack and drink at the snack bar, throw your towel down on the warm sand and take a nice cool dip! Riding a bike can also alleviate parking headaches. Park on a side street in a nearby community with less stringent parking regulations and bike a few miles to Singing Beach.

Dogs on the beach

Current regulations welcome walking your dog on the beach from October 15th to April 15th. Please be considerate and clean up after your pooch and ensure that he or she is under control at all times. Parking for non-residents is generally available in designated spots.

Fun fact: The beach’s name is derived from its sand composition, which ‘sings’ as you scuff your barefoot heal through it. On certain days it sounds more like a ‘grunt’ to me but evidently no one found Grunting Beach an appropriate name!