Devereux Beach, a 5.48-acre stretch of sand and cobble, is the largest public beach in Marblehead, Massachusetts. This guide covers current opening hours, parking and kayak rental prices, transport, accessibility, and practical tips for a first-time visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026.
Quick facts
| Season | Memorial Day–Labor Day |
| Parking hours | 7am–5pm, weather dependent |
| Parking price | $16–$33 depending on residency and day; free for residents with a Resident Facility Sticker |
| Address | 99 Ocean Avenue, Marblehead, MA 01945 |
| Nearest transport | MBTA Commuter Rail to Swampscott, then a taxi or rideshare |
| Typical visit length | A few hours to a full day |
Devereux Beach opening hours
The beach operates as a staffed swimming beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with the parking lot staffed from 7am to 5pm, weather dependent. Public restrooms are open in-season, typically from 7am to 7pm.
There are no lifeguards on duty at any time, so swimming is at each visitor’s own risk.
5 great experiences in Salem to book today
- 🍺 Combine ghost stories and beers on a spooky pub crawl.
- ⛵ Go sailing along the coastline in a historic schooner yacht.
- 🧹 Learn how to make your own personalised witch’s broom at a broom-making workshop.
- 📜 Discover the story of the Salem Witch Trials on a history-focused walking tour.
- 👻 On a dark-themed walking tour, hear about voodoo, vampires and ghosts.
Devereux Beach parking & rental prices
Marblehead residents with a current Resident Facility Sticker park free in the Resident Lot; the gates there lock at 10pm. Residents without a sticker, and non-residents, park instead in the main Devereux Lot or the Riverhead Lot, with proof of residency required for the resident rate.
Opening hours and prices were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026. Residents without a sticker pay $16 Monday to Thursday or $22 Friday to Sunday and holidays; non-residents pay $27 Monday to Thursday or $33 Friday to Sunday and holidays. Kayak rentals run $22 to $34 for a single kayak and $27 to $49 for a double, depending on the length of the rental. All fees are paid by credit card and are non-refundable.
How to get to Devereux Beach
The beach is located at the start of the causeway to Marblehead Neck, off Ocean Avenue. The nearest MBTA Commuter Rail stop is Swampscott, on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, from which a taxi or rideshare covers the remaining distance, since no direct bus route serves the beach.
5 great Boston experiences to book
- ⚾ See why Boston has America’s most beloved baseball ground on a Fenway Park tour.
- 🚶 Get a history crash course on a small group walking tour along the Freedom Trail.
- 🌅 See the skyline from the water on a sunset harbour cruise.
- 🎓 Hear the stories behind America’s oldest university on a campus walking tour of Harvard University.
- 🍩 Indulge in Boston’s best donuts on a sweet treats walking tour.
Parking at Devereux Beach
Parking is available in the main Devereux Lot and the Riverhead Lot, both reached from Ocean Avenue at the start of the causeway. A valid license, car registration or current utility bill is needed to prove residency for the resident parking rate.
Why book the Boston CityPASS?
- Saves on key attractions: Visit top Boston sights with bundled entry at a reduced price compared with buying individual tickets.
- Flexible sightseeing: CityPASS offers timed entry at major options, helping you plan your itinerary over multiple days.
- Must-see included spots: Explore favourites such as the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science and more, depending on the pass you choose.
- Ideal for first-time visitors: Great way to check off a range of iconic Boston museums and experiences without worrying about separate bookings.
- Mobile ticket convenience: Your pass is delivered digitally for easy scanning at each attraction, with no need to print vouchers.
How long to spend at Devereux Beach
Most visitors spend a few hours to a full day, combining swimming with kayaking, beach volleyball or a walk into Marblehead’s historic town center nearby.
Visitors planning to rent a kayak on a weekday should call ahead to book a slot, since Monday-to-Thursday rentals are by appointment only and are not available on a walk-up basis.
Accessibility at Devereux Beach
Handicapped parking is available, and an access mat is installed on the sand to accommodate walkers, wheelchairs and strollers. A beach wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge from the parking attendant’s station.
Inside Devereux Beach
The beach itself occupies a tombolo, a sand-and-cobble bar built up by ocean waves that connects Marblehead Neck to the mainland, with the open Atlantic on one side and the inner harbour on the other.
Kayak rentals run drop-in, no reservation needed, Friday to Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm; kayaks must be returned by 4:30pm. Monday to Thursday, rentals are by advance appointment only, arranged by calling 781-631-3350.
The beach takes its name from John Devereux (1615–1695), whose farmhouse once stood nearby. In 1846, the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow spent an evening in that farmhouse and wrote his poem “The Fire of Driftwood” about the experience; the house no longer stands.
Amenities include the rentable Garfield Pavilion, picnic tables, benches, a playground and the privately run Neck Run Cafe concession stand.
Town by-laws prohibit pets, bonfires, glass and alcohol on the beach, and camp, school or other organised groups must obtain a permit before visiting.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | The Resident Lot gates lock at 10pm, and the general parking area is only staffed 7am to 5pm. |
| Crowds | Weekday visits, Monday to Thursday, cost less for parking and are typically quieter than weekends and holidays. |
| Layout | Swim water quality is monitored regularly; check the Marblehead Health Department or the state’s beach dashboard before swimming if concerned. |
| Entry process | Parking fees are paid by credit card only and are non-refundable, so plan payment accordingly. |
| On-site logistics | The Neck Run Cafe concession stand is a separate, privately run business, so check ahead if paying by card there. |
Frequently asked questions about Devereux Beach
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Devereux Beach suitable for children? | Yes, with a playground, calm harbour-side areas and shallow sections, though there are no lifeguards. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Devereux Beach? | No for general admission; kayak rentals on Friday to Sunday are drop-in, though Monday to Thursday rentals need a phone reservation. |
| Are lifeguards on duty at Devereux Beach? | No. There are no lifeguards at any time, so swimming is at your own risk. |
| Can you rent a kayak at Devereux Beach? | Yes, on site through the town, with drop-in rentals on weekends and by-appointment rentals on weekdays. |
| Is Devereux Beach wheelchair accessible? | Partially. An access mat crosses the sand, and a beach wheelchair is available at the parking attendant’s station. |
Things to do near Devereux Beach
Fort Sewall, a former coastal defence site with harbour views, is a short walk into Old Town Marblehead. The Old Town historic district, with its narrow colonial-era streets and shops, is also within easy walking distance.
Chandler Hovey Park, on Marblehead Neck, offers views from the Marblehead Light and is a short drive across the causeway. Crocker Park, overlooking the harbour, is another short walk from the beach.
What to visit tomorrow
Singing Beach, in Manchester-by-the-Sea, is about 20 to 25 minutes’ drive and is known for the squeaking sound its fine sand makes underfoot.
Good Harbor Beach, in Gloucester, is around 30 minutes’ drive and offers a long stretch of sand backed by dunes.
Crane Beach, in Ipswich, is about 35 to 40 minutes’ drive and protects more than four miles of barrier-beach coastline within a wildlife refuge.
Revere Beach, in Revere, is around 30 to 35 minutes’ drive and holds the distinction of being the first public beach in the United States, established in 1896.
Nahant Beach, in Nahant, is about 20 minutes’ drive and offers a long causeway beach with views back toward Boston.
More Massachusetts travel
Other Massachusetts travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at the Salem Witch Museum.
- Plan your visit to Real Pirates Salem.
- What you need to know about the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
- Exploring the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, JFK Birthplace and Olmsted Park in Brookline.
- Boston’s coastal parks and beaches: Castle Island, Winthrop Beach and Revere Beach.
