Crane Beach
Ipswich, MA 01938-2502
Phone:
- Hours:
- Daily 8am-sunset
Editorial Review for Crane Beach – by Citysearch Staff
Overview
Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Northeast, Crane offers graceful dunes and 2.6 miles of white sand on Ipswich Bay. More than 250,000 people a season visit this pristine beach, privately owned by the Trustees of Reservations.
The Appeal
The tidal pools are a hit with kids. And there's a big snack bar with picnic tables so you don't have to haul a cooler with lunch if you don't want to. There are also bathhouses for changing and outside showers (cold water only) for rinsing off the sand, salt and sunscreen. One note for serious sun worshippers: Your back must be to the beach if you want to follow the sun. OK, it's a minor point, but not insignificant for those who enjoy gazing at the shoreline while they tan.
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Insider Tips
Park HereThe parking fees are $5 for weekdays and $10 for weekends in the off-season. After Memorial Day, it's $10 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and holidays. If you arrive after 3pm, parking is always half-price.
Bug SeasonWatch for greenhead flies in late July and early August. They have a sonic buzz and pack a nasty sting.
Pig OutTasty seafood just down the road at Woodman's, birthplace of the fried clam.
User Reviews for Crane Beach
06/07/2008 Posted by WorkingMomPro
If you’re looking for a beach convenient to arcades and restaurants, go to Hampton Beach. Crane Beach is a great (and clean!) family beach, particularly for those with little kids. The waters tend to be warmer than Salisbury or some of the other oceanfront beaches because of the bay setting and the sandbars that run in front of it. No sharp drop-off makes Crane kid-friendly. Some years there’s pools that form at low tide for the little kids; depends on the winter storms. If there’s been an ocean storm, there can be some pretty good waves, but that can also create an undertow. If you have any questions, just ask a lifeguard – lots of them on duty. There’s a snack shack, outdoor showers, and bathhouses with toilets and changing areas, so you can feed the kids and wash them off before leaving. Go early – on weekends in the summer, the one road in tends to get backed up, and the beach has been known to fill up. One downside – during much of July and early August, there are greenheads at Crane, greenheaded biting flies that are nasty. Avon’s “Skin So Soft” does repel most of them, but not all. Be forewarned – check the Trustees’ website for an update before you come. They also post a sign at the gate, but you don’t want to get all the way down to the beach. Fees aren’t out of line for the area – Good Harbor and Wingasheek in Gloucester both are charging $25 per car on weekends, $20 during the week. There’s a few ways around Crane’s prices. Prices are 50% off after 3:00 p.m. Buy a membership from the Trustees ($45 individual/$65 family/$150 supporter) and your entrance fee drops from $22 on weekends or $15 during the week to $2.50 on weekends and $2.00 during the week. Four visits during one year will cover most of a family membership cost. Or drive to the Ipswich train station parking lot and take the Ipswich/Essex Explorer shuttle. For $5, a person gets roundtrip transportation and the $2 walk-in fee to Crane is covered.
Pros: Clean family beach, great for little kids
Cons: July/August - greenhead flies
07/26/2006 Posted by johnnycobrakai
I went to Crane Beach in the beginning of July and it was a miserable experience. First of all, parking was $20 which is a bit expensive especially considering there is plenty of parking. The beach is esthetically very nice and clean. It would be a great beach if I had children or enjoyed having sand kicked on me by children. Most disappointing was the insect situation there. As you drive up to pay for the parking there are huge signs stating that it is greenhead season at this beach so its not as though I wasn't warned, but they were awful. I smacked so many that I started to keep a running count (14 in 2.5 hours). For each one that I did detroy there were probably 3 flying around that survived. All in all I had a horrible afternoon and will never visit Crane Beach again
Pros: Clean and nice
Cons: Children and insects
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