Massachusetts’ best beaches

From quiet dunes to surf action, Massachusetts’ best beaches have everything you could want for a summer of sun worshipping and water play. While the city is at your fingertips, you can still dip your toes in the sand at these Oceanside escapes, just a short drive (or train ride) from Boston.

Keep the city in your sights and your feet in the sand at the area’s longest stretches of uninterrupted beach – the L and M Street, Pleasure Bay and Carson Beaches. These offer family-friendly waterfront amenities including sandcastle building, picnicking, and swimming. The HarborWalk is a great destination for jogging, roller-blading and biking, or lounging around while you await the ice cream truck. As part of the Back to the Beaches programme, enjoy refreshed sand, benches, shade shelters, and seawalls.

One mile from Manchester-by-the-Sea’s town centre is historic Singing Beach, covered in fine sand that squeaks out a “song” as you walk upon it. Stroll along its length collecting shells or check out “Eagle Head”, a rock composite for high-energy climbing. There are lifeguards and a bathhouse, and the Manchester commuter train station is only a five-minute walk from the beach, solving the resident-only weekend parking problem.

As an island just 14 miles long and 3.5 miles wide, it’s easy to find the perfect stretch of pristine sand on Nantucket, just a short ferry ride from Hyannis. For the utmost in privacy, try Great Point Beach on the northernmost tip. Complete with its own lighthouse and serving as part of the Coatue Wildlife Refuge, it’s as remote as it gets. For a getaway with the little ones, hit Children’s Beach. Right on the harbour and with parks, a playground and picnic tables, this is Nantucket’s best wave-free beach.

Virgin Atlantic flies daily to Boston from London Heathrow.