Heading to the beach? Check the state's water quality dashboard to make sure it's open.
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In town for the World Cup and other summer events, or just looking to cool off amid a spike in humidity? Check the state’s water quality dashboard before heading to the beach.
As required by the state, local health officials monitor bacteria levels across more than 1,100 public and semi-public Massachusetts beaches, according to the Department of Public Health. Testing frequency, which can range from daily to monthly, depends on the beach and how prone it may be to water quality issues.
Bacteria levels can rise due to factors such as heavy rainfall, cyanobacteria and harmful algae blooms, or combined sewer overflow events, the department notes.
The state updates its dashboard hourly between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day, including on weekends, throughout beach season.
The following list was updated as of 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Massachusetts beach closures as of Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Ashby
- Damon Pond Beach (DCR)
Brewster
- Cliff Pond (DCR) @ DYS
- Cliff Pond (DCR) @ Main
- Flax Pond (DCR)
Charlemont
- Cold River Pool (DCR)
Gloucester
- Good Harbor Creek
Manchester
- Magnolia East @ East
Nahant
- Black Rock (Nahant)
Natick
- Cochituate State Park Beach (DCR)
Pittsfield
- Lulu Pond Beach (DCR)
Plymouth
- College Pond Day Use (DCR)
- Fearings Pond (DCR) @ Beach 1
- Fearings Pond (DCR) @ Beach 2
Provincetown
- Town Landing – Breakwater
Rockport
- Front Beach (Rockport)
Salem
- Forest River – Point
- Juniper Point
Saugus
- Peckham Pond @ Camp Nihan (DCR)
Templeton
- Beamans Pond – Campground (DCR)
- Beamans Pond – Day Use (DCR)
Winchester
- Shannon Beach @ Upper Mystic (DCR)
Heather Alterisio, a senior content producer, joined Boston.com in 2022 after working for more than five years as a general assignment reporter at newspapers in Massachusetts.
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