With over 1,400 miles of coastline and our iconic Cape and Islands, Massachusetts has some of the most many amazing coastal and water-based ways to have fun outside – motor boating, fishing, paddling, sailing, whale watching, surfing, …
Wait! What? Surfing? Yes!
Although not necessarily known as a surfing destination, one can find both quality and variation in Massachusetts, and it can be a perfect place for beginners to learn with plenty of surf shops, lessons, and camps.
For experienced surfers, consistency of waves comes with the fall and winter, which also means surfers will need appropriate wetsuit gear. The Surf Atlas Guide to Massachusetts offers a helpful overview of conditions, seasons, and locations. Here are some additional suggestions for those looking to start.
Near Boston:
Learn to Surf, Build Community, Have Fun! That’s the mission of Boston Surf Adventures.
The prime surf location near Boston is at the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Nahant Beach Reservation. Nahant offers free parking October 15 to May 24, and can also be accessed by public transportation (on a limited schedule). This east facing beach provides reliable swells during the fall and winter, and it is also a great place to learn. Rentals, lessons, and surf cam are available at Ocean House Surf Shop.
North of Boston:
On the North Shore, one can find waves, depending on conditions and winds, at Salisbury Beach, where rentals, lessons, lady’s nights and more are offered by Wildflower Surf Co; and also at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, check out Surfari.
Photo Credit: Gnome Surf
South of Boston:
South of Boston features DCR’s Nantasket Beach Reservation in Hull, MA. One can find intermediate waves here when the conditions are favorable. This can be another create place to learn the sport. Visit Northeast Surfing for sales, rentals, surf cam, and their Academy.
Cape Cod:
The outer Cape is the premier surfing location in Massachusetts, especially at the Cape Cod National Seashore. The outer cape is exposed to the Atlantic, which can result in larger waves. The Cape offers many options for lessons, sales, rentals, and camps including Fun Seekers and Sugar Surf in Wellfleet, and Sacred Surf School in Eastham.
Building Community:
Beyond surf shops and beaches, there are also some amazing organizations working to build and expand the surfing community in Massachusetts.
Lavender Lineup is a community-based surf club dedicated to BIPOC & Queer folx in New England.
Gnome Surf is a surf therapy organization focused on creating a culture shift towards happiness, kindness, love, and acceptance for all kids of all abilities regardless of socio-economic status. At both Horseneck Beach and Nantucket, Gnome Surf uses surfing as a form of therapy for both physical and mental health as well as social emotional well-being.
Photo Credit: Gnome Surf
Photo Credit: Boston Surf Adventures, Photographer Jose Fernando
TOPICS: Eastham, Gloucester, Hull, Nahant, Surfing, Wellfleet
