Wingaersheek Beach is one of the most scenic beaches in Massachusetts. It's a bit more than half a mile long and is situated on the Annisquam River in West Gloucester, Massachusetts. Learn all about the beach, including its history, activities, and answers to common questions.

The beautiful beach boasts crystal clear waters and white sands. It's an excellent spot for locals and visitors who enjoy swimming, walking along the shore, and exploring sand bars. Best of all, there are several amenities for an easy day by the water!

About Wingaersheek Beach

Also referred to as "Winga" for short, Wingaersheek is thought to be named after the Dutch phrase ‘Wyngaerts Hoeck,’ which roughly translates to wine garden land or vineyard.

The beach has also been referred to as Coffins Beach, after a gentleman named Peter Coffin who lived on a farm beside the beach.

Wingaersheek Beach is located in the small city of Gloucester, which is on the north shore of Massachusetts. It's about 40 miles northeast of Boston and a bit south of the Beautiful Crane Beach along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay.

Gloucester is a great vacation destination for the ocean and plenty of other fun nearby attractions. The city holds local festivals, too.

While there are several excellent seaside spots, many beachgoers consider Wingaersheek the best beach in Gloucester, along with Good Harbor Beach across the way.

Wingaersheek Beach is open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 9 AM to 5 PM. Lifeguards are on duty during this time. Sometimes the gate does open during the off-season, weather permitting. Either way, you can access the beach on foot all year. Find weather updates and beach parking availability here.

Pet owners love visiting during winter, as pets aren't permitted on the beach during peak season.

Activities at Wingaersheek Beach include:

• swimming
• sunbathing
• building sandcastles
• surf fishing
• collecting sand dollars
• spotting hermit crabs
• playing with beach toys
• whale watching tours

How to Get There

It's fairly easy to get to Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. Take Route 128, then take the exit for Concord Street. Continue on Concord until you reach Atlantic Street, then take a right.

Atlantic Street will take you directly to the parking lot and ocean. The parking fee is $30 during the week and $35 on the weekends. The beach may be open at a lower rate during the off-season, weather permitting.

Tip: We recommend you arrive early, especially during the summer, as the beach parking lot can fill up.

Where to Stay

There aren't many accommodations right near Wingaersheek Beach. Therefore, we recommend it for campers, locals, or non-residents looking to take a day trip from nearby areas.

There's an excellent campground about a mile from the shore, Cape Ann Camp Site. This unique campground is surrounded by nature and offers RV and tent sites.

If you're looking for hotels or vacation rentals, your best bet is heading about half an hour to the Rockport area, where you can find plenty of accommodation options.

Review of Wingaersheek Beach

We highly recommend visiting Wingaersheek if you're a northeast Massachusetts local or visitor, especially if you're looking for a quiet beach with incredible scenery.

Shallow waters, lifeguards on duty, and amenities make this a great beach for families. With that said, it's a nice seaside spot for all beachgoers looking to relax. It's also accessible for disabled visitors, with a beach wheelchair available if needed.

It's also an excellent place for photographers! The beach is beautiful, with a lighthouse in the distance and picturesque sunset, making for fantastic photo ops.

You can also go surf fishing at Wingaersheek Beach. Just be sure to get your fishing license first!

A couple of downfalls mentioned are a lack of beach shops and prohibited beach items. You won't find beach equipment shops at Wingaersheek, so be sure to bring your beach necessities. Items not permitted at Wingaersheek Beach are tubes, rafts, tents, and sun shades.

Overall, Wingaersheek Beach is one of the best beaches in the area for families and any beachgoer looking to kick back and enjoy the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay.